The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is opening up its Defense Sciences Office (DSO) mission and funding opportunities to external participants. Non-traditional proposers are especially invited to attend the upcoming Discover DSO Day (D3) event. The main objectives are to create awareness about DSO's mission and funding opportunities and facilitate discussions between participants and DSO program managers.
The event will take place in person on October 3-4, 2024, in Boston, MA, and will include presentations, panels, and networking sessions. The focus is on exploring revolutionary ideas and technologies with potential national security applications. DSO's research interests are wide-ranging, encompassing fields such as high-energy physics, cognition, computation, sensing, and novel materials.
This special notice is not a solicitation, but rather a precursor to potential funding opportunities. DARPA aims to foster innovation by engaging a diverse range of attendees, including U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible foreign nationals. Participants must register and pay a fee of $125 for the first day and $75 for the second day to attend.
For more information and to register, interested parties should visit the registration website, which provides further details and important deadlines. DARPA encourages potential applicants to seize this opportunity to gain insights into the proposal process and explore potential collaborations.
If you require further information, you can contact the BAA Coordinator at discoverdsoday2024@darpa.mil.
Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Office-wide Dept Of Defense
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), through its Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeking revolutionary research ideas in the realm of microsystems technology. The focus is on developing cutting-edge solutions that advance DARPA's mission and address national security challenges.
This BAA aims to procure high-risk, high-reward technologies in three key areas:
Scientific Disruption: Exploring next-generation transistor technology, including photonic, quantum, and bio/organic circuits, and advancing photonic interconnects, quantum computing, and biomolecular computing.
Microsystems Manufacturing Ecosystem: Developing sustainable and efficient fabrication methods for advanced microsystems, with an emphasis on additive manufacturing, predictive process control, and material reuse.
Dual Use by Design: Strengthening the partnership between the DoD and commercial enterprises to ensure the rapid deployment of military microsystem technologies with commercial applicability.
DARPA seeks unique and innovative approaches that are not currently being explored in its ongoing programs or other published solicitations. The agency encourages proposals for a range of topics within these thrust areas, including fault-tolerant quantum computing, biochemical processors, and data-starved fabrication processes.
The agency plans to award multiple contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements for research and development. The BAA offers an accelerated contract award option for proposals with a cost limit of $2 million, ensuring a swift award within 30 days of selection. This option streamlines the process for procuring cost-reimbursement contracts and encourages applicants to opt for this efficient path.
Proposers should submit abstracts of no more than 6 pages by March 9, 2025, which will undergo an initial review for uniqueness and potential impact. Full proposals are due by May 9, 2025, and should include a technical and management volume as well as a cost volume, following the specified templates and guidelines.
The technical proposal should highlight the technical approach, SOW, schedules, and milestones, while the cost proposal must provide a comprehensive breakdown of expenses across various categories. Organizations seeking the accelerated award option should agree to the stipulated terms, including data rights assertions and fee limitations, and submit a completed DARPA cost proposal spreadsheet.
Proposals will be evaluated based on their scientific and technical merit, potential contribution to DARPA's mission, and cost realism. Besides the accelerated option, DARPA also emphasizes the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) in its solicitations and expects proposers to adhere to the specified handling and marking instructions.
Interested organizations should contact Dr. Whitney Mason at HR001124S0028@darpa.mil for clarification or further information. The BAA encourages applicants to submit innovative solutions, focusing on the technical approach, impact, and potential for revolutionary advancements in microsystems technology.
Disruptioneering Program Announcement Dept Of Defense
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.
Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-wide Dept Of Defense
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking innovative research proposals through its Information Innovation Office (I2O) under a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) aimed at addressing national security challenges. The solicitation encourages revolutionary ideas in four key areas: proficient artificial intelligence, resilient secure systems, cyber operations, and confidence in the information domain, with a focus on avoiding duplication of existing efforts. This initiative is critical for advancing U.S. defense capabilities and fostering technological innovation, with multiple award types anticipated, including contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. Interested proposers should submit abstracts by September 27, 2024, and full proposals by October 29, 2024, and can contact the BAA Coordinator at HR001124S0003@darpa.mil for further information.
BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) for Extramural Biomedical and Human Performance Research and Development - HT9425-23-S-SOC1 Dept Of Defense
Special Notice DEPT OF DEFENSE is seeking proposals for extramural biomedical research and development. This opportunity is issued by the DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY (DHA) under the BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA) HT9425-23-S-SOC1. The purpose of this BAA is to solicit research and development ideas to advance the state-of-the-art or increase knowledge in the field. The projects funded under this BAA should focus on basic and applied research rather than the development of specific systems or hardware solutions. The research and development funding is expected to benefit both military and civilian medical practice and knowledge. Interested parties must submit a pre-proposal through the electronic Biomedical Research Application Portal (eBRAP). If selected, the offeror will be invited to submit a full proposal or application through Grants.gov. The BAA is open for a 5-year period, from August 1, 2023, to July 31, 2028. The BAA with revised research areas of interest and General Submission Instructions can be found on Grants.gov using opportunity number HT9425-23-S-SOC1.
OUSD R&E Seeks Industry Collaboration to Close Critical Capability Gaps Dept Of Defense
The Department of Defense (DoD) issues a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) under the auspices of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OUSD R&E). The goal is to accelerate the development and adoption of innovative technologies to address critical capability gaps in defense applications.
This opportunity seeks to foster collaboration between the DoD and industry partners. The focus is on exchanging developmental capabilities and maturing technologies, specifically those falling within Technology Readiness Levels 3 through 7. The DoD aims to establish non-funded Information Exchange Agreements (IEAs) to facilitate the exchange of technical information. Additionally, Other Transaction (OT) agreements will be considered for research, prototyping, and potential follow-on production.
The BAA encourages submissions from a diverse range of organizations, including large businesses, small disadvantaged businesses, and minority institutions. These submissions should address specific Capability Focus Areas (CFA) detailed in periodic amendments. The initial CFA seeks concepts and technologies for assured space operations and improved multi-domain collaborative autonomy.
Interested parties should submit concise white papers or presentations outlining their concepts, technologies, or solutions. White papers should be limited to two pages, while presentations should not exceed four pages. Submissions will be evaluated based on their relevance, technical merit, and alignment with the DoD's objectives and mission.
The BAA will remain open for one year, and amendments containing new CFAs will be posted with a 45-day deadline for submissions. Virtual Industry Day is scheduled for June 28, 2024, providing an opportunity for potential applicants to gain further clarification and insight.
For general inquiries, contact the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) RPAB through the provided email address. Technical questions should be directed to the designated Technical Point of Contact. Ensure that all submissions and inquiries reference the BOTA number HQ003424BOTA1.
Strategic Technology Office (STO) Office-wide Dept Of Defense
Presolicitation notice from the Department of Defense's Strategic Technology Office (STO) seeks innovative ideas and disruptive technologies to provide the U.S. military and national security leaders with trusted, disruptive capabilities. The goal is to win in all physical domains (Air, Space, Sea, and Land) and across the spectrum of competition, from deterrence to high-end peer combat. STO aims to develop high-risk, high-reward "breakthrough" technologies that achieve significant changes or fundamental shifts in technical capabilities, giving warfighters new ways to fight. The office will focus on creating new "proof-of-concept" mission systems and developing and demonstrating new capabilities that expand what is technically possible.