The Applied Research Institute (ARI) today announced the launch of the IARPA (Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity) Solutions Marketplace, a rapid acquisition pathway that brings ARI’s proven Rapid Acquisition Model (RAM) to the intelligence community for the first time. The marketplace connects government customers with mission-relevant technologies faster and more transparently than traditional procurement.
RAM replaces lengthy written proposals and slow procurement timelines with short video pitches, published evaluation criteria, expert assessments, and transparent feedback. Innovators are evaluated against clear standards and either approved as eligible for contracts, or given guidance to resubmit in future cycles. Government customers can browse ready-to-award solutions and move toward contract without restarting an acquisition from scratch.
ARI has built and operated the RAM framework across major national security programs for several years. To date, RAM-powered programs have supported more than $3 billion in awards, achieved acquisition timelines roughly 300 percent faster than traditional procurement, and engaged approximately 85 percent non-traditional performers, including companies, universities, and researchers that federal acquisition has typically been difficult to reach.
The model already serves as the operating foundation for DARPA’s Expedited Research Innovation System (ERIS), CDAO’s Tradewinds Solutions Marketplace, Air Force’s Platform One, and the Army Applications Laboratory’s DevX Autonomy pathway. The IARPA Solutions Marketplace marks its first application in the intelligence community.
“The acquisition model the Department of War has been calling for is one ARI has been building and operating for years,” said Andrew Kossack, CEO at the Applied Research Institute. “Expanding it to the intelligence community through the IARPA marketplace is a natural next step, and a significant one for any agency looking to move emerging technology into mission use faster.”
Beginning August 1, video collections will open to innovators seeking to engage the intelligence community through the marketplace pathway. The model is adaptable across missions, authorities, and organizational structures, and is relevant to agencies across the intelligence community and federal civilian space adopting OTAs, CSOs, and other flexible acquisition mechanisms.
The launch aligns with the Secretary of War’s memorandum, Transforming the Warfighting Acquisition System to Accelerate Fielding of Capabilities, and with top-line priorities in the FY27 President’s Budget, including increasing flexibility in technology delivery, broadening opportunities for non-traditional entrants, and advancing innovative acquisition approaches.
Innovators interested in pursuing the marketplace pathway can submit videos to the IARPA Solutions Marketplace at http://iarpamarketplace.us/ beginning August 1.
About Applied Research Institute
The Applied Research Institute is a neutral, third-party nonprofit organization focused on accelerating innovation into mission impact for national and economic security. ARI connects government, industry, and academia to solve complex challenges and build practical pathways that help government customers identify, assess, and adopt emerging capabilities. Through programs like the Rapid Acquisition Model, ARI operates Connects and Solutions Marketplaces that expand access to the national security innovation ecosystem and help move promising technologies from idea to operational use faster, with less friction and greater accountability.
