Sources for Ultraviolet Nuclear Spectroscopy of Thorium (SUNSPOT)
ID: HR001125S0008Type: Solicitation
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; APPLIED RESEARCH (AC12)
Timeline
    Description

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking innovative proposals for the Sources for Ultraviolet Nuclear Spectroscopy of Thorium (SUNSPOT) program, aimed at developing high-coherence vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation sources for spectroscopy of the thorium-229 nuclear isomeric transition. The primary objectives include achieving specific performance metrics, such as output power exceeding 1 mW and linewidths below 30 Hz, to enhance precision in atomic clock technologies critical for Department of Defense operations. This initiative represents a significant advancement in timing technologies, with implications for national security and resilience against traditional timing threats like GPS jamming. Proposals are due by March 13, 2025, with a proposers' day scheduled for February 7, 2025. Interested parties can contact the BAA Coordinator at SUNSPOT@darpa.mil for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
    BAA Coordinator
    SUNSPOT@darpa.mil
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The document outlines the proposal for DARPA’s HR001125S0008 SUNSPOT project, which seeks to achieve specific performance metrics in a high-risk research environment. Key metrics include output power exceeding 1 mW and linewidth below 30 Hz. The proposal must clearly state calculated values for these metrics and provide relevant sections that justify them. Additionally, it outlines the need for a comprehensive justification of requested resources, including labor (both prime and subcontractors), equipment, materials, and other costs essential for meeting the project’s aims. The focus is on rationalizing why the proposed resources are vital to achieving the stated goals. Overall, this document serves as guidance for submission requirements in terms of technical justification and resource allocation to ensure proposal completeness and compliance with program expectations.
    The HR001125S0008 document serves as a mandatory proposal template for the DARPA Broad Agency Announcement regarding the Sources for Ultraviolet Nuclear Spectroscopy of Thorium (SUNSPOT). It provides specific instructions for submitting technical and management proposals, outlining requirements for both Procurement Contracts and Cooperative Agreements. Proposals must follow strict formatting guidelines, including page limits and submission formats, and they must include various components like a Proposal Summary, Goals and Impact, Technical Plan, Statement of Work, Management Plan, and more, all while ensuring clarity and conciseness. Important details include the requirement for proposals to be submitted in English, formatted for 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper, and structured to include specific sections that emphasize objectives, impacts, technical capabilities, and organizational disclosures. Key personnel qualifications and potential conflicts of interest must also be disclosed. The document aims to streamline the evaluation process and ensure that proposals meet the government’s technical and administrative standards within a defined timeline, emphasizing innovation and effective project management throughout.
    The document outlines the Cost Volume Template for proposals regarding the DARPA program "Sources for Ultraviolet Nuclear Spectroscopy of Thorium (SUNSPOT)." It provides detailed instructions for submitting cost proposals, specifically for full proposals seeking Procurement Contracts or Other Transactions for Prototype. Proposals must include comprehensive cost details, formatted correctly, using the specified MS Excel DARPA Standard Cost Proposal Spreadsheet. Key elements include a summary of costs by phases, direct labor breakdown, indirect costs, materials, equipment purchases, travel expenses, and subawardee costs, each requiring thorough documentation for validation. Proposers must ensure traceability of costs between all parties involved, and include certified cost or pricing data if applicable. The document emphasizes the importance of consistent task structures across all proposal materials and specifies requirements for various types of federal awards. Overall, it aims to ensure clarity and accuracy in cost proposals to facilitate prompt government analysis and contract negotiation.
    The DARPA Standard Cost Proposal Spreadsheet serves as a tool for proposers to outline and justify their cost proposals for contracts under Solicitation No. HR001125S0008. The spreadsheet requires detailed documentation of direct labor, overhead costs, subcontracting, consulting, and other direct costs. It emphasizes that all proposed costs must be adequately supported with rationales for reasonableness as defined by the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). Proposers must ensure accuracy and completeness before submission to facilitate government review and expedite negotiations. The document outlines specific instructions for completing various sections of the spreadsheet, including provider details, cost categories, indirect rates, and fiscal year accounting periods. The G&A costs and profit calculations are also introduced. Proposed indirect rates must be justified, with explicit guidance for presenting both base effort and option costs. Overall, the spreadsheet aims to streamline the cost proposal process while ensuring compliance with federal requirements and promoting transparency in federal contracting.
    The document outlines an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) between the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and a selected nontraditional defense performer for research and development purposes. It specifies the agreement's scope, objectives, and administrative procedures, detailing the fixed support approach without resource contributions from the performer. The agreement is structured into multiple articles addressing key aspects such as project management, funding obligations, property rights, patent rights, data management, and dispute resolution. Particular emphasis is placed on safeguarding sensitive information and technology, as well as securing domestic interests regarding telecommunication services. The agreement mandates strict reporting protocols for technical and business status, with a comprehensive data management plan required. It seeks to ensure that the research not only meets governmental goals but also has implications for defense and commercial applications. The OTA establishes adherence to federal laws while fostering innovation through collaboration and accountability in the research process, ultimately aiming for technological advancements that will benefit both military and civilian sectors. Overall, the document serves to facilitate efficient partnership and oversight in executing critical technological developments.
    This document outlines an Other Transaction Agreement between the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and a specified performer to advance research and technology. The agreement's scope includes research and development efforts aimed at addressing critical technology deficiencies while fostering dual-use applications for military and commercial sectors. Key components include defined milestones, funding obligations, and project management responsibilities. The Performer is tasked with submitting reports on technical progress and financial status, while DARPA provides continuous oversight. The agreement includes provisions on patent rights, data rights, and restrictions on foreign access to technology to safeguard national security interests. Additionally, it sets guidelines for safeguarding Covered Defense Information and details procedures for handling any cyber incidents. The overall duration of the agreement can be extended with both parties' consent, and the framework ensures compliance with the Civil Rights Act, prohibitions on certain telecommunications, and specifications for property acquisition and disposition. This structured agreement signifies DARPA's commitment to collaboration with industry while ensuring strategic defense and research goals are met.
    This government file details a contract award for a project managed by DARPA, emphasizing a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) arrangement. The document outlines contractor responsibilities, including task execution as per attached Statements of Work (SOW), deliverables, and funding estimates, though specific financial figures remain TBD (to be determined). Key sections include contract clauses concerning supplies and services, payment processes using the Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) system, and performance metrics linked to contractor-acquired property. The file also delineates inspection and acceptance procedures and identifies requirements for compliance with various regulations and clauses that ensure equality, prohibit human trafficking, and mandate timely payments. Enforcement of restrictions on the dissemination of information developed under this contract, alongside expectations for reports and deliverables, underscores the confidentiality and proprietary nature of the work. The document serves as an essential framework for managing government-financed projects, ensuring accountability, and safeguarding national interests through thorough oversight and documented engagement between contractors and the government.
    The document is a federal contract under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) designed for a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contract to deliver various services, as outlined in the Statement of Work (SOW). The contractor is tasked with providing technical data and reports, ensuring compliance with federal regulations concerning the safeguarding of information systems, billing, and deliverables. Key sections include detailed requirements for performance, milestones, and reporting obligations, specifying frequent submissions of R&D status reports and financial status reports. Payment will be processed electronically via the Wide Area Workflow system, requiring the contractor to ensure all submissions meet established guidelines. The contract emphasizes the importance of subcontracting regulations, compliance with equal opportunity laws, and adherence to restrictions on the use of controlled unclassified information. The document also stipulates necessary acknowledgments of government support in publications and outlines the procedures for dealing with invention disclosures. Overall, it highlights the government's structured approach to ensure compliance, accountability, and performance measurement in federal contracting.
    The Baseline Model Contract Addendum outlines additional clauses that apply to federal contracts depending on their monetary value. For contracts exceeding $2 million, key clauses include stipulations related to cost or pricing data, pension adjustments, and ownership notification. As contracts reach higher dollar thresholds, such as those over $5 million and $6 million, additional requirements are incorporated, such as postaward disclosures and codes of ethics. Specific clauses target contracts involving classified information, options to extend contracts, and contracts with educational institutions. The document serves as a comprehensive guide for understanding the contractual obligations and compliance measures that businesses must follow when engaging in federal contracts. It emphasizes the complexity and layered requirements tied to varying contract values, ensuring accountability and proper administration of government funds while also addressing security and ethical standards.
    The Cooperative Agreement No. HR0011242XXX initiated by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) serves to fund research under the XXXX Program. The agreement outlines a 12-month term beginning from its effective date, accompanied by commitments from the recipient, which include adherence to cost-sharing requirements. The recipient must report all cost-share expenditures in financial reports. The agreement stipulates terms and conditions, detailing responsibilities like obtaining necessary approvals for work involving human subjects or animals. Key exhibits are included to clarify terms of engagement, including funding amounts, required reports, and the framework for managing intellectual property. Involvement from the U.S. Government is emphasized through shared management responsibilities. The recipient must adhere to stringent reporting requirements including annual and final progress reports, and is held accountable for compliance with the relevant laws and guidelines. Through its structured approach, the agreement underlines DARPA's commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring regulatory compliance and efficient use of federal funds, representative of initiatives in government RFPs and grants.
    Amendment 1 to the HR001125S0008 Sources for Ultraviolet Nuclear Spectroscopy of Thorium (SUNSPOT) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) introduces key updates to the application process. It mandates the inclusion of the SF424 (R&R) Budget form in Grants.gov for applicants seeking a Cooperative Agreement or Other Transaction specifically for research purposes. Additionally, it incorporates Attachments G through J, which are sample contracts relevant to Cooperative Agreements and Procurement Contracts. The document indicates that all notable changes are highlighted in yellow, while affirming that no other modifications have been made to the original BAA. This amendment clarifies the administrative requirements for submitting proposals under the SUNSPOT program, thereby facilitating compliance with federal funding guidelines.
    The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) HR001125S0008 from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) seeks innovative proposals for developing coherent vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation sources targeting the thorium nuclear isomeric transition (229mTh). This program, titled "Sources for Ultraviolet Nuclear Spectroscopy of Thorium (SUNSPOT)", aims to leverage advancements in precision timing technologies crucial for the Department of Defense (DoD). Proposals should aim to create high-coherence VUV sources to facilitate high-resolution spectroscopy essential for evaluating thorium-based nuclear clocks, with specific performance metrics that include output power over 1µW and linewidths under 30 Hz. The announcement emphasizes the need for solutions that overcome existing technological limitations and address practical challenges related to environmental resilience and integration of optical clocks. Successful submissions should outline their technical approach, risk management strategies, and details on enhancing size, weight, and power (SWaP) metrics. Deadlines set for proposals are March 13, 2025, with preliminary engagement opportunities on February 7, 2025, for interested parties. The BAA encourages wide participation from various organizations, aiming to bolster national security through innovative technologies.
    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is issuing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Sources for Ultraviolet Nuclear Spectroscopy of Thorium (SUNSPOT) program, designed to develop high-coherence vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) radiation sources for spectroscopy of the thorium-229 nuclear isomeric transition. This initiative aims to enhance precision in atomic clock technologies, which are critical for Defense Department operations. Proposals are sought from industry and academia for innovative solutions that meet specified power and linewidth parameters, with the goal of assessing the potential of a compact, portable thorium-based optical clock. The timeline includes a proposers' day on February 7, 2025, and proposal submissions due by March 13, 2025. Selected proposals will undergo evaluations based on scientific merit, relevance to DARPA's mission, and cost realism. The announcement also encourages diverse participation, aiming to foster technological advancements that could provide resilience against traditional timing threats, such as GPS jamming. The program highlights a shift from microwave to optical timekeeping technologies, emphasizing the superior performance potential of nuclear clocks when adequately supported by VUV sources, marking a significant leap in metrology and defense capabilities.
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