Disruptioneering Program Announcement
ID: DARPA-PA-24-04Type: Presolicitation
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA)DEF ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGCYARLINGTON, VA, 222032114, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology) (541715)

PSC

NATIONAL DEFENSE R&D SERVICES; DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE - MILITARY; BASIC RESEARCH (AC11)
Timeline
    Description

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is announcing the Disruptioneering Program, inviting proposals for high-risk, high-reward research initiatives aimed at advancing national security applications. This program seeks to rapidly investigate new technologies through targeted Disruption Opportunities (DOs), enabling the development of innovative prototypes within a streamlined timeframe of less than 120 days from idea inception. Proposals must be unclassified and adhere to specific submission formats, with funding awards anticipated to reach up to $2 million, requiring a minimum one-third cost share. Interested parties can contact the BAA Coordinator at DARPA-PA-24-04@darpa.mil for further details and guidance on proposal submissions.

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    The document presents the certifications required for Agreement No. HR0011-XX-9-XXXX, focusing on compliance and ethical standards for federal contracts. Key stipulations include confirming that the organization is not debarred or suspended from federal transactions and must maintain a drug-free workplace. For contracts exceeding $100,000, it emphasizes prohibitions against using federal funds to influence contracting processes and mandates disclosure if non-federal funds are used for lobbying. Furthermore, corporations contracting with the government must disclose any unpaid federal tax liabilities or felony convictions while reaffirming they do not impose internal confidentiality agreements restricting employee reports of fraud. It also includes provisions on restricted telecommunications practices following the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, prohibiting procurement of certain covered telecommunications equipment or services. Compliance with these certifications ensures accountability and integrity in federal contracting, essential for maintaining public trust and regulatory adherence.
    The DARPA Program Announcement DARPA-PA-24-04 outlines funding opportunities under the "Disruptioneering" initiative for rapid, high-risk research aimed at national security applications. Agencies and organizations are invited to submit proposals for specific Disruption Opportunities (DOs), which will target focused research projects leading to prototype demonstrations. The proposal evaluation criteria emphasize overall scientific merit, relevance to DARPA's mission, and cost-effectiveness, with anticipated awards valued at up to $2 million. Proposals must be submitted electronically and should adhere to structured formats across three volumes: Technical & Management, Price, and Administrative & National Policy Requirements. Proposers may initially submit abstracts to gauge relevance to specific DOs. The announcement highlights flexibility through Other Transactions (OTs) for prototype agreements, which streamline the contracting process compared to traditional procurement methods. Proposals must be unclassified, and researchers should address intellectual property rights, potential conflicts of interest, security measures for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and compliance with various regulatory obligations. This solicitation encourages collaboration with nontraditional defense contractors and aims to foster innovative defense technologies while navigating the complexities of federal funding processes.
    The document outlines an Other Transaction (OT) Agreement between a company and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for a prototype development project, specifying terms and obligations under U.S. Federal law. The agreement includes detailed sections such as the scope of work, funding amounts, management of the project, payment procedures, dispute resolution, and rights regarding patents and data. Key highlights include an overall funding total, delineation of obligations for milestone completion, and the specific structure for payments tied to research milestones. The performer is required to report on utilization and patent disclosures, while DARPA retains rights to any developed data and inventions under specified conditions. Additionally, provisions are made for protecting sensitive information, managing property acquisitions over $5,000, and ensuring compliance with civil rights laws and restrictions on foreign technology access. The agreement emphasizes a collaborative approach with continuous government involvement and outlines pro forma compliance measures to protect national security interests. Overall, this document reflects the government's structured approach to promoting research and development in alignment with national security priorities and fiscal accountability within the federal contracting framework.
    The document outlines a Request for Proposal (RFP) under DARPA-PA-24-04 for an initiative termed "Disruptioneering." It emphasizes identifying and addressing significant technological needs and challenges, aiming to set goals and foster innovative solutions. The proposal calls for descriptions of current methodologies and the state of the art in the relevant field, alongside suggestions for novel approaches. The emphasis on collaboration between organizations and a technical point of contact signifies the initiative's goal to pool expertise and resources effectively. Overall, the document highlights a structured approach to tackling pressing problems through creative and advanced technical proposals, driving progress within the government and relevant agencies.
    The document outlines the proposal requirements for the DARPA Disruptioneering Program Announcement (PA), specifically for submitting Technical and Management Volumes. Proposals must include specific components, adhere to formatting guidelines, and be concise yet descriptive. The Technical and Management Volume is limited to a maximum of 10 pages, excluding certain portions such as tables and bibliographies. The proposal must cover an executive summary detailing the project's objectives, innovative aspects, scientific rationale, and expected impacts on military applications. Additionally, it should include a technical plan addressing challenges and milestones, a capabilities management plan summarizing the team's expertise and roles, and a Task Description Document (TDD) detailing specific tasks, milestone metrics, and responsibilities. Optional bibliographic references may also be included. This structured approach ensures that all submissions align with governmental standards and facilitates comprehensive evaluation.
    The DARPA Standard Cost Proposal Spreadsheet is designed for entities submitting cost proposals in response to solicitations, including the DARPA-PA-24-04-XX. It provides a structured framework for proposers, both prime contractors and subcontractors, to detail estimated costs associated with their proposals. Notably, proposals must include fully priced options, with specific guidance on labor costs, fringe benefits, overhead, subcontractor expenses, consulting fees, and other direct costs. Each category must be adequately supported with documentation to demonstrate the reasonableness and completeness of the proposed expenses. Proposers are advised to populate yellow fields on various tabs with relevant data, while ensuring adherence to calculation formulas in gray cells. The tool facilitates a comprehensive cost breakdown by task over segments of performance and offers a mechanism for expediting government evaluation and contract negotiation processes. Feedback on the spreadsheet’s usability is also encouraged. Overall, the document emphasizes compliance, accuracy, and thorough justification of costs to adhere to federal procurement standards and ensure effective contract management.
    The DARPA-PA-24-04 document details the requirements for submitting price proposals as part of the Disruptioneering Program Announcement (PA). It emphasizes the necessity for all proposals to use a specified price template, include traceable pricing across all parties, and maintain a strict format concerning size and language. Proposals must be unclassified and submitted in specific file formats. The document outlines that project phases will include a Phase 1 base and potentially a Phase 2 option, with a total funding cap of $2,000,000, requiring a minimum one-third cost share. Detailed documentation for various cost categories—including direct labor, materials, and subawardees—is mandated, along with a clear breakdown of how costs are estimated. Proposers must also identify whether team members qualify as non-traditional defense contractors or small businesses, providing supporting evidence and outlining a milestone payment structure. Overall, this PA serves as a structured guideline to ensure proposals meet federal standards and operational expectations, facilitating the evaluation and selection process for funding under the DARPA program.
    The DARPA-PA-24-04 document outlines the requirements for submitting proposals for the Disruptioneering Program Announcement. It stresses the need for a completed Administrative and National Policy Requirements document, which should be formatted appropriately and submitted in designated file formats. The proposal must include key information such as team member identification, particularly regarding any government entities or Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) involved. The document specifies several essential topics like novelty of proposed work, intellectual property rights, human subjects research, animal use, and conflict of interest disclosures. It emphasizes the need for detailed disclosures if team members have previously supported DARPA, along with mitigation plans for any identified conflicts. Also highlighted are requirements for compliance with regulations concerning unpaid tax liabilities and felony convictions. Additionally, a controlled information management plan must be included, detailing how unclassified information will be safeguarded. The document serves as a comprehensive guideline ensuring proposals meet federal standards while promoting transparency and accountability among participants, reflecting the formal processes involved in government RFPs and grants.
    The document outlines a structured approach for a proposal related to government RFPs, detailing task descriptions and expectations for execution in a task description template. It emphasizes providing comprehensive objectives, meticulous task breakdown by phases, and the identification of responsible organizations including prime contractors and sub-awardees. Each task or subtask requires a detailed methodology, measurable milestones, and deliverables like data and reports. Human or animal subjects involved in tasks must be identified, along with locations where work will be performed, typically on a university campus. It notes that the proposal may include multiple phases, with specific tasks and subtasks outlined to track progress and fulfill government funding requirements. This document serves as a guideline for applicants to create proposals that meet federal and state grant criteria, ensuring clarity and accountability in the execution of the proposed initiatives.
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