Microsystems Exploration
ID: DARPA-PA-25-01Type: 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; BASIC RESEARCH (AC11)
Timeline
  1. 1
    Posted Oct 16, 2024, 12:00 AM UTC
  2. 2
    Updated Mar 6, 2025, 12:00 AM UTC
  3. 3
    Due Oct 15, 2025, 4:00 PM UTC
Description

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for its Microsystems Exploration program, aimed at advancing high-risk, high-reward technologies in areas such as photonics, quantum computing, and hardware security. Proposals must address specific Microsystems Exploration topics and include a structured approach for a two-phase project: a Phase 1 Feasibility Study and a Phase 2 Proof of Concept, with a total budget not exceeding $2 million and a duration of up to 24 months. This initiative is critical for fostering innovation that supports U.S. national security and technological superiority. Interested parties should submit their proposals in compliance with the outlined guidelines, including technical, pricing, and administrative requirements, and can direct inquiries to the MTO Program Announcement Coordinator at DARPA-PA-25-01@darpa.mil.

Point(s) of Contact
MTO Program Announcement Coordinator
DARPA-PA-25-01@darpa.mil
Files
Title
Posted
The document is the Administrative and National Policy Requirements for the DARPA-PA-24-05 Program Announcement focusing on Microsystems Exploration. It outlines essential submission guidelines for proposals, emphasizing the completion of an attached Administrative Requirements document in various acceptable formats. Key sections include team member identification, organizational conflict of interest disclosures, novelty of proposed work, intellectual property considerations, and requirements for human subjects and animal research. Additionally, it specifies the qualifications for organizations, including non-traditional defense contractors and small businesses, while addressing cost-sharing criteria. The document is structured with clearly defined headings and guidelines for submitting relevant information to ensure compliance with DARPA's criteria. Participants are reminded of the importance of structured proposals and appropriate documentation to facilitate a fair proposal evaluation process. Overall, it serves as a crucial guide for applicants seeking government funding through the outlined program.
Oct 16, 2024, 8:27 PM UTC
This document outlines an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for prototypes between a private company and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). It aims to develop a specified research and development prototype. The agreement spans a base phase funded at a defined amount, with an option for a subsequent phase. Key provisions include project management, payment obligations tied to milestone achievements, patent and data rights, as well as dispute resolution frameworks. Specifically, the agreement emphasizes the government's rights to data and inventions generated, while allowing the performer proprietary rights subject to certain conditions. It mandates reporting on utilization of subject inventions, ensuring compliance with civil rights and cybersecurity requirements. The document details conditions on foreign access to technology, promoting national security, and includes provisions against contracting for certain telecommunications services. Requests for extensions, modifications, or conflict resolutions are explicitly stated. The OTA aims to foster innovation while safeguarding government interests and ensuring project success through structured collaboration.
The document outlines a proposal related to the DARPA Microsystems Exploration program, specifically titled "Microsystems Exploration, Version 2.0, 06/21/2022." It emphasizes the identification of a pressing need and problem within the context of microsystems, detailing the goals of the proposal and introducing innovative ideas to address those challenges. The document also reviews existing strategies and the current state of the art in microsystem technology. This reflects the initiative's intention to push the boundaries of current knowledge and application in the field. By outlining both the context and approach, the proposal aims to attract collaboration and funding to enhance advancements in microsystem capabilities. The structured presentation of these elements aims to facilitate understanding and engagement from potential partners and funders within the government framework for RFPs and grants.
The DARPA-PA-25-01 Program Announcement establishes guidelines for submitting proposals in response to the Microsystems Exploration topics. Proposals must use the provided Technical and Management Volume Template, adhering to specific formatting requirements, including a maximum length of 8 pages, excluding certain elements such as the cover sheet and Task Description Document (TDD). The document lays out the fundamental structure for proposals, which includes sections on the project summary, goals, technical plan, and management capabilities. Proposers should clearly articulate the project's objectives, expected impacts, and innovative aspects, while addressing any technical challenges and providing measurable milestones. The TDD should detail the tasks involved, identifying responsible parties and deliverables. Optional bibliographies are encouraged for additional references. Overall, this Program Announcement emphasizes the importance of clarity, conciseness, and adherence to the specified guidelines to ensure proposals are evaluated effectively.
The document, DARPA-PA-25-01, is a Price Summary Spreadsheet providing a structured format for proposers to outline financial details related to a federal government Request for Proposal (RFP). It details hours worked, rates, and amounts across multiple months, with designated sections for direct labor, subcontractor costs, and other direct costs including materials, equipment, and travel. Key elements include the necessity for proposers to calculate total costs for Phase 1 and Phase 2, based on their respective performance periods and milestone due dates outlined in individual microelectronics (μE) topic announcements. Each submission must include separate spreadsheets for the primary contractor and any subcontractors. The document emphasizes the requirement for clear pricing structures and encourages accurate financial summarization, ensuring compliance with government funding protocols. The overall purpose is to facilitate transparent budgeting and resource allocation for projects funded through federal grants and RFPs. This structured financial information is vital for government decision-makers assessing proposals.
The DARPA-PA-25-01 Program Announcement outlines the requirements for submitting proposals for the Microsystems Exploration program. The Price Volume component is mandatory, detailing necessary pricing documentation and ensuring compliance with formatting and submission guidelines. Proposals must include standardized price information for two phases: a Phase 1 Feasibility Study and a Phase 2 Proof of Concept, with a total duration not exceeding 18 months. Key points include requirements for detailed breakdowns of direct labor, materials, equipment purchases, travel, and other direct costs, along with the necessity for consistent task structures across all documentation. Proposers must compile and submit non-proprietary contributions from subawardees and consultants, with strict adherence to unclassified formats. Additional provisions include cost sharing, validation of consultant costs, and clarity on how prices are estimated. The program emphasizes accuracy in representing costs and documentation to facilitate the evaluation process by DARPA.
The DARPA-PA-25-01 Program Announcement outlines requirements for the Microsystems Exploration competitive proposal submissions, specifically focusing on the Administrative and National Policy Requirements Document. Proposals must include details concerning team member identification, organizational conflict of interest disclosures, and the novelty of the proposed work. Key areas include intellectual property rights, human subjects and animal use regulations, necessary certifications, and compliance with laws such as maintaining a drug-free workplace. Emphasis is placed on ensuring transparency regarding any potential conflicts of interest and on meeting federal mandates regarding contracting practices, including prohibitions against using certain telecommunications services. The document mandates that all submissions adhere to specified formats and guidelines, with no limits on page counts for the administrative section. Each proposal must provide a detailed description of team composition, conflict management strategies, and compliance with national standards. This ensures that participating entities are duly vetted and that the proposed research aligns with DARPA's mission and regulatory frameworks. Overall, the program announcement seeks to advance defense-related technologies while ensuring ethical and legal adherence throughout the proposal process.
The document outlines a mandatory task description template for government RFPs, emphasizing detailed task breakdowns by phase. It requires a clear articulation of objectives, approaches for task execution, and identification of any involvement of human subjects or animal research. Each phase, particularly Phase 1 (Base) and Phase 2 (Option), includes specific tasks and subtasks for which measurable milestones and deliverables must be defined. These deliverables may encompass data, reports, and software relevant to governmental needs. The document serves as a comprehensive guide for organizations to detail their planned activities effectively, ensuring accountability and clarity in the proposal process. Ultimately, it aims to facilitate structured and organized responses to federal and state/local RFPs, supporting the alignment of proposals with government criteria and expectations.
Mar 6, 2025, 6:06 PM UTC
The DARPA-PA-25-01 Amendment 01 outlines the Microsystems Exploration program, aimed at funding high-risk, high-reward technologies crucial to national security. It allows for rapid proposal submissions targeting innovative research areas such as photonics and quantum computing. Proposals are limited to unclassified submissions and can have a budget of up to $2 million, with a focus on the feasibility and prototype development within 24 months. Multiple awards are expected, and responses will be evaluated based on scientific merit, relevance to DARPA's mission, and price reasonableness. The proposal must adhere to strict guidelines, include specific templates, and comply with conflict of interest policies. Notably, any proposal must be tied to Microsystems Exploration topics for consideration. Further flexibility in negotiations is provided through Other Transactions for Prototype agreements, which streamline the award process, avoiding traditional federal procurement regulations. Ultimately, this program exemplifies DARPA's commitment to fostering technological advances key to U.S. defense.
Mar 6, 2025, 6:06 PM UTC
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) issued Program Announcement DARPA-PA-25-01 for its Microsystems Exploration initiative, aimed at fostering high-risk, high-reward technologies in areas like photonics, quantum computing, and hardware security. The purpose is to expedite research funding, enabling contract finalization within 120 days of topic announcement. Proposals must be submitted for specific Microsystems Exploration Topics (μEs) and can involve multiple phases, with individual awards capped at $2 million. The program encourages collaboration with non-traditional contractors and research institutions, emphasizing the significance of intellectual property management and compliance with national security guidelines. Proposals must be unclassified, and all applicants are required to submit in specified volumes addressing technical, pricing, and administrative aspects. Evaluation criteria focus on scientific merit, relevance to DARPA’s mission, and price reasonableness. The announcement underscores DARPA’s commitment to maintaining U.S. technological superiority through innovative research and streamlined funding processes tailored for rapid prototyping.
The agreement, designated as HR0011XX9XXXX, outlines a collaboration between a private company and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to conduct research and development on a prototype as specified in the task description document. The funding allocated for this project encompasses a Phase 1 base effort and an optional Phase 2, outlining payment for achieved milestones. Key articles of the agreement cover the scope of research, management roles, payment obligations, dispute resolution processes, patent and data rights, foreign access to technology, and compliance with civil rights and telecommunications regulations. The agreement emphasizes that the Government retains rights to data generated from the research while also detailing the responsibilities for reporting, safeguarding covered defense information, and handling property. The document aims to enable innovation through flexible collaboration, ensuring that the intellectual property generated remains under the control of the performer, subject to the conditions outlined for disclosure and government rights. These provisions stress the importance of compliance with federal regulations while maximizing the potential outcomes for both military and commercial applications.
The DARPA-PA-25-01 document outlines the requirements for proposal submissions under the MTO Microsystems Exploration (µE) program as of June 21, 2022. It serves as a guide for proposers to ensure compliance with the program’s expectations. The proposal must include several components, such as Technical and Management Volumes, Price Volumes, and Administrative Requirements, all formatted using specified templates. Key considerations include adherence to minimum requirements in project phases, scheduling, and allowable costs. Proposers should check for updates on SAM.gov and ensure labor hours and rates are documented. The document emphasizes the importance of fulfilling stipulations regarding foreign technology access, unclassified information, and project termination provisions, particularly in collaborations involving academic institutions and for-profit entities. The outlined templates and model agreements serve as essential references for proposers, highlighting the structure and necessary details for successful submissions within the context of government-funded research and development initiatives.
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Microsystems Exploration
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