The Boosting Innovative GEOINT - Science & Technology Broad Agency Announcement (BIG-ST BAA) under solicitation number HM0476-23-BAA-0001 invites proposals aimed at advancing research and development in geospatial intelligence (GEOINT). Managed by the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), the BAA focuses on fostering innovative technologies across three core technical domains: Foundational GEOINT, Advanced Phenomenologies, and Analytic Technologies. The program encourages groundbreaking research efforts aligned with Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1-7, emphasizing basic research, applied research, advanced technology development, and prototype evaluation.

The solicitation supports awards through various funding mechanisms, including procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and Other Transactions (OTs). The government reserves the right to determine the most suitable award instrument based on the specific requirements of each proposal. Key priorities include generating new capabilities for geospatial reasoning, leveraging emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, and improving data fusion across heterogeneous geospatial datasets. Proposers are expected to address specific research challenges outlined in individual Topic Calls, which provide more granular details on objectives and deliverables.

Eligible applicants include all responsible sources capable of meeting the government’s needs, including universities, non-profits, for-profit entities, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Proposals must demonstrate technical feasibility, alignment with NGA’s mission priorities, and a strong potential for transition into operational capabilities. While cost-sharing is not mandatory, it is encouraged when appropriate, especially for proposals involving Other Transactions (OTs).

Submission requirements stipulate that prospective proposers must first submit an abstract for evaluation. Feedback on abstracts will guide applicants on whether to proceed with a full proposal. Abstracts and proposals must adhere to strict formatting and submission guidelines as outlined in the solicitation and respective Topic Calls. Key evaluation criteria for proposals include scientific and technical merit, alignment with NGA’s mission objectives, feasibility of the proposed approach, and reasonableness of the proposed costs.

The review process consists of multiple evaluation steps, including administrative review, scientific and technical evaluation, cost analysis, and security assessment. Final award decisions will consider technical confidence ratings, funding availability, and mission alignment. Intellectual property rights will generally follow government purpose rights, and proposers must clearly assert any restrictions on data rights within their submissions.

Successful awardees will be required to comply with specific security requirements, including measures for handling Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and, where applicable, classified information. All deliverables, milestones, and performance metrics will be defined in individual contract agreements. Proposers are strongly encouraged to thoroughly review the BIG-ST BAA General Solicitation document and any active Topic Calls before preparing their submissions.