Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-wide
ID: HR001124S0003Type: 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; APPLIED RESEARCH (AC12)
Timeline
    Description

    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.

    Point(s) of Contact
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    Title
    Posted
    The Information Innovation Office (I2O) at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued Amendment 1 to the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) HR001124S0003, which revises the abstract due date and enhances evaluation criteria regarding the proposal's contribution to DARPA's mission. The BAA invites innovative research ideas that align with four focus areas: artificial intelligence advancement, resilient systems, cyber operations improvement, and information domain security. DARPA anticipates multiple awards and will employ various award instruments including grants and cooperative agreements. Proposals must demonstrate significant technological advancement beyond current norms and adhere to strict eligibility criteria including transparency regarding organizational conflicts of interest and potential foreign influence. Submission of abstracts is encouraged for preliminary interest assessments, and full proposals are examined for scientific merit based on explicitly defined evaluation metrics. This solicitation underscores DARPA's objective to foster groundbreaking research while ensuring national security and innovation collaboration, particularly welcoming participation from non-traditional performers and entities.
    The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Information Innovation Office (I2O) outlines funding opportunities for revolutionary research ideas that address national security challenges. The document specifies eligibility criteria for applicants, including government entities, non-profits, and commercial firms, with particular attention to avoiding conflicts of interest and compliance with federal regulations. The BAA emphasizes the importance of innovative, non-traditional approaches in four key thrust areas: proficient AI, resilient systems, cyber operations, and confidence within the information domain. Proposals must undergo a detailed review process based on strict evaluation criteria focusing on their compliance and relevance to the I2O mission. DARPA aims to encourage participation from diverse organizations, including non-traditional sources, leveraging flexible award mechanisms. Submissions are encouraged in the form of abstracts prior to full proposals to ensure alignment with I2O's goals. The document also addresses cost-sharing options, the handling of intellectual property rights, and requirements for proposals involving human subjects or animals, highlighting DARPA's intent to foster groundbreaking advancements in technology while safeguarding national interests.
    The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) under the Information Innovation Office (I2O), aiming to solicit revolutionary research proposals addressing national security challenges not tackled by existing programs. This funding opportunity encourages innovative approaches in four key areas: proficient artificial intelligence, resilient secure systems, cyber operations, and confidence in the information domain. Multiple award types are anticipated, including procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements, prioritizing participation from non-traditional sources. Key dates include a Proposers Day (November 2, 2023) and deadlines for abstracts and proposals (September 27, 2024, and October 29, 2024, respectively). Proposers are encouraged to submit abstracts first to gauge interest. Proposals will undergo a scientific review based on compliance and relevance to the stated objectives. Additionally, detailed guidelines are provided for proposal preparation, including administrative requirements, evaluation criteria, and concerns regarding foreign influence in research activities. This initiative aims to foster cutting-edge research that may drastically improve U.S. defense capabilities and foster technological advancement while ensuring compliance with security protocols and ethical standards.
    The document outlines a proposal for a federal government program, detailing the technical approach to address key challenges, objectives, and risk management strategies. The proposal emphasizes unique methodologies expected to lead to success in achieving the program's goals. It is structured to include sections on project phases and cost breakdown, accompanied by a visual representation of the technical strategy. Key points cover the objectives in straightforward terms, plans for measuring progress, and the identification and mitigation of major risks associated with the project. Additionally, there are inquiries regarding fundamental research, involvement of foreign participants, intellectual property rights, requests for government-furnished materials, and any proposed human subject research. This structured approach provides a comprehensive understanding of the proposal while ensuring compliance with federal requirements for RFPs and grants.
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    Presolicitation
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