Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) - DARPA MTO BAA

1) What is the Arrays at Commercial Timescales (ACT) opportunity?

ACT is a DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) effort focused on speeding up how electromagnetic arrays are designed, built, fielded, and upgraded. The goal is to reduce the time and friction involved in modifying an array for new missions, new frequency plans, or new platforms without requiring a long, specialized redesign each time.

2) What problem is ACT trying to solve?

ACT targets the traditional model where each electromagnetic array is highly customized and slow to redesign. DARPA is seeking R&D approaches that move array development toward a faster, more modular model aligned with commercial technology refresh cycles, so arrays can be adapted more quickly as needs change.

3) What type of announcement is this?

This opportunity is issued as a DARPA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) under DARPA BAA 13-26.

4) Which DARPA office is sponsoring ACT?

The program is sponsored by DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO).

5) What is the technical vision or structure of the program?

ACT is organized around three main technical thrust areas: (1) a common, reusable hardware building block; (2) a reconfigurable electromagnetic interface; and (3) a scalable infrastructure to combine arrays across physically disconnected platforms into a single coherent effective aperture.

6) What does the "common hardware building block" thrust mean?

This thrust emphasizes creating a broadly applicable module that can be reused across different array roles instead of being purpose-built for only one. The intent is to enable arrays to be assembled, configured, and upgraded more like modular systems and less like one-off designs.

7) What is meant by a "reconfigurable electromagnetic interface"?

This thrust focuses on making the front-end interface and its coupling to the array adaptable to varied operating needs, including different polarizations, frequency ranges, bandwidths, and related RF/EM parameters. The idea is to allow the same underlying hardware to serve multiple missions or waveforms through reconfiguration.

8) What is the third thrust about combining arrays across disconnected platforms?

The third thrust aims to demonstrate a scalable infrastructure where separate arrays located on physically disconnected platforms can be combined coherently into a single, larger effective aperture. This requires precise timing and localization so signals from multiple platforms can be aligned and processed as if they were part of one coordinated array, enabling distributed sensing or communications that scale beyond a single platform's size.

9) What is the CFDA number and program type listed for this opportunity?

The notice identifies the solicitation as DARPA BAA 13-26 under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).

10) What kind of funding category is ACT listed under?

It is categorized as discretionary funding supporting science and technology and other research and development activities.

11) What award instruments might DARPA use for ACT?

The announcement indicates multiple possible award instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, other procurement contracts, and potentially other mechanisms. This gives DARPA flexibility to match the instrument to the proposed work and the desired level of government involvement.

12) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the provided summary information.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals may be submitted by a wide range of organizations (for example, companies, universities, nonprofits, or others), subject to any additional constraints that may be described in the full BAA text.

14) What are the key dates mentioned in the notice?

The posting date is May 1, 2013. The creation date is June 17, 2013. The archive date is December 19, 2013. The original closing date was June 17, 2013, and the revised closing date became June 19, 2013.

15) Why was the proposal due date extended?

Amendment 02 extended the proposal due date due to TFIMS system connectivity issues experienced on June 17, 2013.

16) What did Amendment 01 change?

Amendment 01 incorporates technical revisions to the BAA and makes an administrative change to Attachment 1. The revisions are identified in a conformed version of the documents (noted as highlighted in yellow).

17) What does it mean that the award floor and ceiling are listed as 0?

The summary data shows award floor and ceiling values as 0, which typically indicates placeholders rather than real ranges. Applicants are expected to consult the full BAA for any funding ranges, expected award sizes, or the number of anticipated awards instead of relying on those placeholder fields.

18) Where can applicants find additional information about the solicitation?

The opportunity points to the MTO solicitations page for additional information, and it references the attached DARPA BAA 13-26 documentation as the authoritative source for technical requirements, submission instructions, and evaluation criteria.

19) Who is the point of contact for help obtaining the full announcement?

The notice identifies Dr. William Chappell, Program Manager/BAA Coordinator, as the point of contact for help obtaining the full announcement.

20) What document should applicants treat as authoritative for requirements and instructions?

The full technical requirements, submission instructions, and evaluation criteria are contained in the attached DARPA BAA 13-26 documentation referenced in the notice, which is described as the authoritative source for what DARPA expects proposers to deliver under ACT.