Safe and Assured Foundation Robots for Open Environments (SAFRON)
ID: DARPA-EA-24-01-05Type: 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)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/1f2357e16b9b4d849ab9a0533a012790/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is issuing a presolicitation for the "Safe and Assured Foundation Robots for Open Environments" (SAFRON) initiative, inviting submissions of innovative exploratory research concepts in artificial intelligence. This opportunity focuses on developing strategies to ensure the safe and reliable behavior of foundation model-enabled robots operating in unstructured environments, particularly when responding to natural-language commands, while addressing challenges such as hallucination and erroneous confidence in decision-making. Proposals should detail methodologies and potential applications, with funding ranging from $100,000 to $300,000, and submissions are due by January 13, 2025. Interested researchers can contact the BAA Coordinator at SAFRON@darpa.mil for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
    BAA Coordinator
    SAFRON@darpa.mil
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    DARPA-EA-24-01-05.pdf
    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is inviting submissions for innovative research concepts under its Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) Opportunity titled "Safe and Assured Foundation Robots for Open Environments" (SAFRON). This initiative emphasizes research into artificial intelligence, particularly focusing on the assurance of behavior for foundation model (FM)-enabled robots operating in unstructured environments with natural-language commands. Researchers can propose ideas that lead to strategies ensuring these robots behave as intended, considering issues like hallucination and erroneous confidence in decision-making. Proposals should encompass detailed methodologies, assumptions, and potential applications, with an emphasis on innovative approaches to robot behavior assurance. Each proposal must adhere to a budget of $100,000 to $300,000 and must be submitted by January 13, 2025. DARPA anticipates a maximum of one full-time equivalent researcher allocating a year to the project. Selected abstracts may advance to oral presentations and subsequently receive awards under Research Other Transactions. This opportunity highlights DARPA's focus on enhancing national security through the advancement of robotics and artificial intelligence technologies, ensuring their safe deployment in unpredictable environments.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    Safe and Assured Foundation Robots for Open Environments (SAFRON)
    Currently viewing
    Presolicitation
    Similar Opportunities
    Strategic Technology Office-wide Broad Agency Announcement
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is inviting proposals for its Strategic Technology Office-wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) HR001125S0001, aimed at funding innovative research that leads to revolutionary advances in technology for national security. Proposals should focus on disruptive technologies across various domains, including artificial intelligence, advanced computing, and robotics, while avoiding evolutionary improvements to existing practices. This initiative is critical for developing new capabilities that enhance the U.S. military's operational effectiveness and adaptability in complex environments. Interested organizations, including small and minority-owned businesses, must submit their proposals by October 31, 2025, and are encouraged to contact the BAA Coordinator at HR001125S0001@darpa.mil for further information.
    Defense Sciences Office (DSO) Office-wide BAA
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is inviting proposals for its Defense Sciences Office (DSO) Office-wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), aimed at soliciting innovative research ideas that can lead to revolutionary advancements in national security applications. Proposals should focus on novel approaches rather than incremental improvements, covering key research areas such as Novel Materials & Structures, Sensing & Measurement, and Emerging Threats. This initiative is crucial for fostering advanced research that aligns with DARPA's mission to enhance national defense capabilities. Interested organizations can submit proposals until September 26, 2025, and should direct inquiries to the BAA Coordinator at HR001124S0039@darpa.mil.
    Advanced Robotics and Automation for Manufacturing & Sustainment (ARAMS}
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is seeking proposals for the Advanced Robotics and Automation for Manufacturing & Sustainment (ARAMS) initiative. This effort aims to establish a consortium of organizations to conduct research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E) of dual-use robotics and automation technologies that enhance manufacturing and sustainment capabilities for the Air Force. The program is critical for addressing capability gaps in defense production and improving efficiency, with a total projected budget of $87.7 million available for innovative proposals due by January 6, 2025. Interested parties can contact Michael Corbett at 937-623-9474 or via email at Michael.corbett.13@us.af.mil for further information.
    Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals through its Information Innovation Office (I2O) under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) HR001125S0002, aimed at fostering revolutionary research in areas such as artificial intelligence, resilient systems, cyber operations, and information domain confidence. Proposals should present innovative ideas that are not currently addressed by existing I2O programs or other solicitations, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technical merit, relevance to DARPA's mission, and cost realism. This opportunity is critical for advancing national security technologies and encourages participation from a diverse range of researchers, including small businesses and non-traditional sources. Proposals will be accepted on a rolling basis until October 29, 2025, with initial abstracts recommended for submission by October 1, 2025. Interested parties can contact the BAA Coordinator at HR001125S0002@darpa.mil for further information.
    Disruptioneering Program Announcement
    Active
    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.
    ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (ARA) TITLE: CHARACTERIZATION AND ASSESSMENT FOR SPACE DOMAIN AWARENESS (SDA)
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, through the Department of the Air Force's Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), has issued an Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) titled "Characterization and Assessment for Space Domain Awareness (SDA)." This initiative aims to develop innovative technologies for enhancing capabilities in intelligent tasking, data collection, processing, and analysis related to space superiority and awareness, with a focus on areas such as automated pattern recognition and multi-source data fusion. The total funding for this ARA is approximately $99 million, and it remains open until July 12, 2029, with initial submissions required in the form of white papers. Interested parties should direct inquiries to Carolyn Sheaff at Carolyn.Sheaff@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil, and adhere to the specified submission guidelines to ensure compliance and successful evaluation.
    Biological Technologies
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting proposals for innovative research and development in Biological Technologies under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) HR001124S0034. This initiative aims to explore revolutionary ideas not currently addressed by existing programs, focusing on areas such as machine learning, human performance, materials technology, and biosecurity, all intended to enhance national security. Proposals will be evaluated based on scientific merit, relevance to DARPA's mission, and cost realism, with submissions accepted on a rolling basis until September 10, 2025. Interested parties can contact the BAA Coordinator at BTOBAA2024@darpa.mil for further information.
    Resilient Open & Agile Avionics System & Technology Development (ROAASTD)
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, through the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is issuing a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Resilient Open & Agile Avionics System & Technology Development (ROAASTD) initiative. This solicitation aims to foster research that enhances system and platform resilience in response to evolving global threats, facilitating the rapid integration of advanced sensor technologies for national defense. The program, with a total budget of $30 million and individual awards ranging from $3 to $6 million, invites white papers until April 19, 2028, and emphasizes participation from various organizations, particularly small businesses. Interested parties can contact Sarah Ballard at sarah.ballard@us.af.mil or Richard Bailey at richard.bailey.26@us.af.mil for further information.
    COLLABORATIVE SENSING & EXPLOITATION
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is soliciting innovative research proposals under the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Collaborative Sensing & Exploitation." The objective is to develop technologies for closed-loop sensing and sensor data exploitation in dynamic adversarial environments, focusing on enhancing detection, tracking, and classification capabilities through advanced multimodal sensing systems. This initiative is crucial for improving situational awareness and operational effectiveness in military contexts. The total funding available for this BAA is approximately $25 million, with individual awards typically ranging from $400,000 to $1 million and lasting up to 36 months. Interested parties must submit white papers by 4 PM EST on specified deadlines through September 30, 2025, and can direct inquiries to Peter Zulch at Peter.Zulch@us.af.mil or Amber Buckley at Amber.Buckley@us.af.mil.
    BAA Number FA8051-24-S-0001/CALL #2 Automated Heavy Machinery
    Active
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force, is seeking proposals for the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA8051-24-S-0001, focusing on research and development for Automated Heavy Machinery. The initiative aims to enhance Air Force Civil Engineer operations by innovating automation technologies for heavy equipment utilized in construction, vegetation management, and infrastructure maintenance, with particular interest in automated navigation, autonomous machinery, and safety enhancements. This BAA represents a strategic effort to improve operational readiness through technological advancements, with approximately $49 million in funding available, of which $45 million remains for awards. Interested parties must submit white papers by January 13, 2025, and can direct inquiries to Toby L. Carnes at toby.carnes.1@us.af.mil or Major Chase Lehocky at chase.lehocky.3@us.af.mil.