Request for Information: Sources Sought – Standardized Micro- and Nano- Plastics  

ARPA-H is issuing this request for information to gauge industry interest, capabilities, and relevant experience in standardized micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) to support technology research and development. The agency is seeking sources with the ability to manufacture MNP materials with the following attributes: 

• Size distribution  
  • Statistical distribution of fragments, centering at ~150 nm with at least three size categories: < 200 nm, between 200 nm and 1 µm, and between 1 µm and 5 µm 
• Shape 
  • Irregular, non-spherical, and fibers 
• Chemical Composition 
  • Each sample contains only one MNP type (e.g. only polyethylene (PE), or only polypropylene (PP)). 
    • Polymers include, at minimum, PE, PP, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon 6 (Ny-6), plus additional relevant plastics such as poly-methyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyurethane (PU), and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR). 
• Additives  
  • No particular additives required. Standard additives or a mix of additives found in typical consumer products to create representative plastic samples are acceptable. 
• Quantity/Scale 
  • 5-10 grams annually for 5 years 

Materials would be made and tested by the vendor, then distributed to researchers for metrology and toxicology studies.  

The full RFI (Notice ID 75N992-26-SS-104) and instructions to respond can be found at SAM.gov. Interested parties are requested to submit their response to the RFI no later than 3:00PM ET on March 25, 2026.