Summary
DARPA's Lightweight Universal Codec (LUC) solicitation (HR001126S0014) seeks development of a universal, adaptive encoder-decoder (codec) capable of encoding and decoding data using any known or future error-correction codes, leveraging DARPA's GRAND research. The program expects an encoder that pairs with a GRAND-implementing decoder to incorporate the decoder’s noise model and other operating factors to optimize code selection for link budget, security, throughput, and interoperability across heterogeneous networks. DARPA published the opportunity on July 6, 2026 with a proposal deadline of August 28, 2026; contracting is through DARPA/IPTO (contact LUC@darpa.mil) and the official solicitation is posted on SAM.gov.