Opportunity Information: Apply for DARPA BAA 16 19
Apply for DARPA BAA 16 19
- The DOD-DARPA-MTO in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Atomic Clock with Enhanced Stability (ACES)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.910.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 21, 2016 and posted on Jan 21, 2016.
- Applicants must submit their applications by May 01, 2016. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Atomic Clock with Enhanced Stability (ACES) opportunity is a DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) research solicitation focused on pushing the state of the art in portable precision timekeeping. The core goal is to develop atomic-clock-class timekeeping instruments that achieve very high stability while also meeting stringent size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints. In practical terms, DARPA is looking for approaches that can deliver highly stable time references in compact, lightweight packages that do not require large power budgets, so they can be widely deployed in battery-powered and other portable applications where conventional high-performance clocks are too bulky or power-hungry.
This opportunity was issued under Funding Opportunity Number DARPA BAA 16-19 and is categorized as a discretionary research and development effort within science and technology. The solicitation indicates that DARPA may use multiple award mechanisms depending on what fits a proposed effort, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transaction-type instruments, or procurement contracts. That flexibility typically signals that DARPA is open to a range of performer relationships, from more traditional assistance-style research awards to arrangements that look more like acquisition of prototypes or deliverables, depending on the maturity of the technology and the nature of the proposed work.
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals are broadly open to any type of entity, subject to any additional restrictions that might appear in the full text of the announcement. In general, that kind of eligibility language is intended to invite participation from universities, small and large businesses, non-profits, federally funded research and development centers, and other qualified organizations, including teams or consortia, as long as they can meet the solicitation requirements and any applicable federal contracting or assistance rules.
From an administrative standpoint, the opportunity was created and posted on January 21, 2016, with an original and current closing date of May 1, 2016. The CFDA number associated with the program is 12.910, and the sponsoring agency is the Department of Defense, specifically DARPA MTO. The publicly listed award ceiling is shown as 0, which commonly indicates that a specific maximum per-award cap was not stated in the summary metadata and that funding levels would be defined in the full BAA text, depend on proposal scope, or be determined through negotiations. The expected number of awards is not specified in the summary information provided.
Overall, ACES is best understood as a DARPA push to make high-stability atomic timekeeping more deployable and practical outside of laboratory settings by attacking the SWaP barriers that limit real-world use. The emphasis on battery-powered portable applications suggests interest in designs that maintain excellent stability over time while operating reliably under constrained power, limited thermal control, and form-factor requirements, enabling broader fielding of precise timing in distributed and mobile systems.
FAQs: Atomic Clock with Enhanced Stability (ACES) - DARPA BAA 16-19
What is the ACES opportunity?
Atomic Clock with Enhanced Stability (ACES) is a DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) research solicitation aimed at advancing portable precision timekeeping. The focus is on developing atomic-clock-class timekeeping instruments that achieve very high stability in a compact, lightweight form factor with low power requirements.
What problem is DARPA trying to solve with ACES?
ACES targets the practical barriers that keep high-performance atomic clocks confined to lab or non-portable settings. Specifically, DARPA is pushing for designs that deliver highly stable timing while meeting stringent size, weight, and power (SWaP) constraints, so they can be deployed in portable and battery-powered applications where conventional clocks are too bulky or power-hungry.
What is the main technical goal of the program?
The core goal is to push the state of the art in portable precision timekeeping by developing time references with atomic-clock-class stability that still fit within strict SWaP limits. In other words, the program emphasizes stability plus deployability, rather than stability alone.
What kinds of applications does ACES emphasize?
The solicitation highlights battery-powered and other portable applications, along with wider deployment scenarios where traditional high-performance clocks are impractical due to size or power needs. The intent is broader real-world use of precise timing in mobile and distributed systems.
Which DARPA office is sponsoring ACES?
The sponsoring organization is the Department of Defense, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), specifically the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO).
What is the Funding Opportunity Number for ACES?
The Funding Opportunity Number is DARPA BAA 16-19.
How is this opportunity categorized (grant type/discipline)?
It is described as a discretionary research and development effort within science and technology.
What award mechanisms might DARPA use for this solicitation?
The solicitation indicates DARPA may use multiple award mechanisms depending on the proposed effort, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transaction-type instruments, or procurement contracts. This typically reflects flexibility in structuring the relationship based on the nature and maturity of the proposed work.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning proposals are broadly open to any type of entity, subject to any additional restrictions in the full announcement text. The summary language is intended to invite participation from universities, small and large businesses, non-profits, federally funded research and development centers, and other qualified organizations, including teams or consortia.
Are teams or consortia allowed to participate?
The summary indicates broad eligibility and explicitly notes that teams or consortia may participate, as long as they can meet solicitation requirements and applicable federal contracting or assistance rules.
When was the opportunity posted?
The opportunity was created and posted on January 21, 2016.
What was the closing date for submissions?
The original and current closing date shown is May 1, 2016.
Is this opportunity still open?
Based on the provided dates (closing date of May 1, 2016), the solicitation is shown as closed in the summary information provided.
What is the CFDA number associated with ACES?
The CFDA number listed for this program is 12.910.
How much funding is available (award ceiling)?
The publicly listed award ceiling is shown as 0. This commonly indicates that a specific maximum per-award cap was not stated in the summary metadata, and that funding levels would be defined in the full BAA text, depend on proposal scope, or be determined through negotiations.
How many awards does DARPA expect to make?
The expected number of awards is not specified in the summary information provided.
What does SWaP mean in the context of this program?
SWaP stands for size, weight, and power. In ACES, meeting SWaP constraints is central: DARPA is looking for approaches that maintain high timing stability without requiring large physical volume, heavy packaging, or high power budgets.
What does DARPA mean by "atomic-clock-class" timekeeping?
In the context provided, "atomic-clock-class" refers to timekeeping instruments intended to achieve very high stability comparable to atomic clocks, but adapted for portable use under strict SWaP constraints.
What performance attributes beyond stability are implied by the summary?
Beyond stability, the summary points to practical portability requirements, including operation under constrained power, limited thermal control, and tight form-factor requirements, with the goal of reliable operation outside laboratory settings.
What is the overall program intent in plain terms?
ACES is a DARPA effort to make high-stability atomic timekeeping more practical and deployable by overcoming size, weight, and power limitations, enabling precise timing to be used more broadly in fielded, portable, and battery-powered systems.
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