The Office of Naval Research (ONR) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) inviting proposals for research and development projects in Science and Technology (S&T) relevant to the Navy and Marine Corps. This BAA outlines a competitive process, in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulations and the Department of Defense Grant and Agreement Regulations, to select and fund research projects aimed at advancing Navy and Marine Corps operations. The announcement is applicable to ONR, ONR Global (ONRG), and the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory (MCWL). The BAA is open for approximately one year, during which proposals may be submitted in response to specific BAA Calls posted on the ONR website, SAM.gov, or Grants.gov.

The BAA targets a wide range of research, including basic research, applied research, advanced technology development, and potentially prototype development. Specific details on the areas of interest can be found on the ONR's technology and research page, and offerors are encouraged to consult ONR's technical points of contact for each research area before submitting proposals. ONRG, as part of the announcement, also fosters international collaboration and supports research projects through seed grants, conferences, and workshops. The MCWL focuses on using concept-based experimentation to assess experimental technologies in operational settings.

The funding opportunities under this BAA cover various types of contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) for research and prototype development. Each proposal will vary in its funding amount and duration depending on the specific research area and approach. For OTAs, a 50/50 cost-sharing arrangement is recommended but not required. Offerors can submit proposals for new projects or supplementary proposals for ongoing projects.

Eligibility for this BAA is open to a wide range of organizations from academia, industry, and research communities worldwide. While Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) are encouraged to apply, no set-aside is specifically designated for these institutions or small businesses. Federal laboratories and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) are not eligible for direct awards but may collaborate as subcontractors. Offerors must disclose any current or pending support, as failure to do so could affect eligibility for funding.

Proposals may be submitted throughout the year, but it is recommended that they be submitted before September 30, 2024, or before a new BAA is issued, to ensure review. Submission guidelines, including security classification requirements, are detailed in the BAA. White papers, if required, should follow the specified format and be submitted electronically through the appropriate channels, such as FedConnect, ONRG, or MCWL, depending on the research topic.

The ONR emphasizes no reimbursement for proposal development costs, and submission does not guarantee funding. Proposals will be evaluated based on their scientific merit, relevance to Navy and Marine Corps objectives, and the feasibility of the proposed approach. The announcement also requires applicants to adhere to proprietary data protection guidelines and submission formatting standards, and non-proprietary versions of the Statement of Work must be provided.

This BAA serves as an open call for innovative research proposals that align with the Navy and Marine Corps' future operational needs, focusing on technological advancements that can improve military capabilities and operational effectiveness. Interested parties should monitor the ONR and related websites for updates on specific BAA Calls and further details on proposal submission requirements.