The Strategic Technology Office (STO) of DARPA has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), HR001124S0001, inviting proposals for revolutionary research projects that align with STO's mission to advance national security and defense technologies. The announcement is open to a wide array of technical topics, with STO focusing on the development of innovative solutions that expand current technical capabilities, especially those that demonstrate a high potential for operational application within a short timeframe. This solicitation encourages submissions that propose significant advancements rather than incremental improvements, emphasizing disruptive technologies across various physical domains, including air, space, sea, and land.

The BAA is intended to fund multiple awards, with contracts potentially issued as procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transaction agreements, depending on the nature and scope of the proposal. Research areas of interest cover a broad spectrum, such as artificial intelligence, advanced computing, autonomy, command and control systems, cybersecurity, electromagnetic warfare, logistics, and space-based technologies. Submissions should propose projects that not only meet DARPA’s criteria for breakthrough innovation but also answer several key questions outlined in the "Heilmeier Catechism," which guides DARPA’s interest in transformative research ideas.

Eligible applicants include academic institutions, private companies, and nonprofit organizations. Proposals from small businesses, minority institutions, and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are encouraged, though no specific funding set-asides are designated for these groups. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and government entities may participate if they meet eligibility criteria demonstrating that their proposed work cannot be sourced from the private sector. Furthermore, non-U.S. organizations and individuals may participate if they comply with relevant non-disclosure, security, and export regulations.

To streamline the application process, DARPA recommends submitting an executive summary followed by a proposal abstract before the full proposal. This staged submission approach allows STO to provide feedback on the alignment of proposed projects with DARPA's mission early in the process, potentially saving applicants time and effort if their ideas are not a fit. Full proposals should consist of two volumes: one dedicated to the technical and management aspects and the other to cost details. Submissions must be formatted according to specific guidelines, with unclassified materials uploaded to the DARPA BAA Website as ZIP files. Classified materials, if necessary, must follow strict transmission and handling guidelines as specified by DARPA.

Evaluation criteria for the proposals include the scientific and technical merit of the project, the relevance and potential impact of the proposed research on DARPA’s mission, and the cost realism of the proposed budget. DARPA will conduct a review process that may include negotiation of award terms and conditions. Selected projects may undergo additional security reviews, especially if foreign participation is involved. The submission deadline is November 15, 2024, though proposals may be submitted and reviewed at any point up until this date.

For any questions or assistance with the submission process, DARPA has provided a point of contact and support resources, including technical help for the DARPA BAA Website. This BAA represents an opportunity for eligible entities to propose transformative research ideas that address the U.S. Department of Defense's strategic technology needs in groundbreaking ways.