Opportunity Information: Apply for DARPA BAA 14 54

  • The DARPA Biological Technologies Office in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Biological Technologies EZ" and is now available to receive applicants.
  • Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.910 Research and Technology Development.
  • This funding opportunity was created on Nov 6, 2014 and posted on Jul 23, 2014.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 6, 2014. (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.
Apply for DARPA BAA 14 54

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Opportunity Summary:

Biological Technologies EZ (Funding Opportunity Number DARPA BAA 14-54) was a DARPA solicitation issued through the Biological Technologies Office (BTO) focused on high-risk, high-reward research at the intersection of biology and the engineering, physical, and computer sciences. The core aim was to attract proposals that could produce genuinely revolutionary advances in scientific understanding, enabling technologies, or integrated systems, rather than incremental improvements. In other words, the opportunity was framed for unconventional ideas that challenge standard assumptions, depart from mainstream approaches, and could plausibly reshape established practice, create new capabilities, or even open entirely new research fields.

A notable feature of the program design was its explicit encouragement of participation from organizations that do not typically seek government R&D funding. DARPA highlighted interest in proposals from entities, including both small and large businesses, that have never received government funding or that do not normally respond to government solicitations. This emphasis suggests the solicitation was intended to widen the pipeline of contributors beyond the usual defense research community and make it easier for non-traditional performers to bring forward bold, non-obvious concepts.

The solicitation fell under the discretionary funding category and supported multiple award instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transaction-type arrangements (listed as "Other"), and procurement contracts. It was categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, associated with CFDA number 12.910 (Research and Technology Development). There was no cost-sharing or matching requirement indicated, lowering barriers for applicants who might not be positioned to provide significant matching funds.

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to any type of applicant entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement. The public listing pointed applicants to the full solicitation text via FedBizOpps (now integrated into SAM.gov), which would have contained the detailed submission instructions, evaluation criteria, security and compliance expectations, and any specific topic areas or constraints.

From an administrative timeline standpoint, the opportunity was originally posted on July 23, 2014. Although an original closing date of July 23, 2015 was shown, the record also indicates a current closing date of November 6, 2014, with an archive date of December 6, 2014. Most importantly, the description clearly states that the solicitation is cancelled. Practically, that means DARPA was no longer accepting submissions under this particular announcement as of the cancellation, regardless of any originally planned open period.

For questions or access issues related to the announcement, the listed point of contact was the BAA Coordinator at DARPA BTO (Biological Technologies Office). This aligns with how DARPA Broad Agency Announcements are often managed, with a coordinator serving as the primary administrative contact for solicitation access and process issues.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is titled Biological Technologies EZ, associated with Funding Opportunity Number DARPA BAA 14-54. It was issued by DARPA through the Biological Technologies Office (BTO).

Which agency and office offered this solicitation?

This solicitation was offered by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), specifically through its Biological Technologies Office (BTO).

What type of solicitation was this?

It was a DARPA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) focused on research and development.

What was the main goal of Biological Technologies EZ?

The core aim was to attract high-risk, high-reward proposals capable of producing revolutionary advances in scientific understanding, enabling technologies, or integrated systems, rather than incremental improvements.

What kinds of ideas was DARPA looking for under this BAA?

The solicitation emphasized unconventional ideas that challenge standard assumptions, depart from mainstream approaches, and could reshape established practice, create new capabilities, or open entirely new research fields.

What research areas did this opportunity target?

It focused on research at the intersection of biology and the engineering, physical, and computer sciences.

Was this opportunity intended only for traditional defense contractors and academic labs?

No. A notable feature was the explicit encouragement of participation from organizations that do not typically seek government R&D funding.

Did DARPA encourage applications from companies that have never received government funding?

Yes. DARPA highlighted interest in proposals from entities (including small and large businesses) that have never received government funding or do not normally respond to government solicitations.

What does "high-risk, high-reward" mean in the context of this solicitation?

Based on the description, it means DARPA was prioritizing genuinely revolutionary concepts and breakthrough potential over safer, incremental improvements.

What funding category was this opportunity listed under?

It was listed under the discretionary funding category.

What award instruments could DARPA use under this announcement?

The opportunity supported multiple award instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transaction-type arrangements (listed as "Other"), and procurement contracts.

What program area or category was this opportunity associated with?

It was categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

What CFDA number was associated with this opportunity?

The listing associated it with CFDA 12.910, Research and Technology Development.

Was cost sharing or matching required?

No cost-sharing or matching requirement was indicated for this opportunity.

Who was eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted, meaning it was broadly open to any type of applicant entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.

Where were applicants directed to find the full solicitation details?

Applicants were directed to the full solicitation text via FedBizOpps (now integrated into SAM.gov), where detailed instructions, evaluation criteria, and other requirements would have been provided.

What kinds of details would the full announcement have included?

The public listing indicates the full text would have contained submission instructions, evaluation criteria, security and compliance expectations, and any specific topic areas or constraints.

When was the opportunity originally posted?

The opportunity was originally posted on July 23, 2014.

What were the closing and archive dates listed for this opportunity?

The record shows an original closing date of July 23, 2015, but also indicates a current closing date of November 6, 2014, and an archive date of December 6, 2014.

Is this solicitation currently open for submissions?

No. The description clearly states that the solicitation is cancelled, meaning DARPA was no longer accepting submissions under this particular announcement.

If the solicitation showed multiple closing dates, which one matters now?

Because the solicitation is stated as cancelled, submissions would not be accepted regardless of any listed closing date.

Who was the point of contact for questions or access issues?

The listed point of contact was the BAA Coordinator at DARPA BTO (Biological Technologies Office).

What types of questions was the point of contact intended to handle?

Based on the listing, the contact was provided for questions or access issues related to the announcement and aligns with the administrative coordination role typical for DARPA BAAs.

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