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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - DARPA BAA 08-59: Casimir Effect Enhancement (CEE)

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is DARPA Microsystems Technology Office Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) 08-59, titled "Casimir Effect Enhancement (CEE)." It seeks innovative research aimed at controlling surface forces by engineering the Casimir force.

2) What is DARPA trying to accomplish scientifically and technically?

DARPA is looking for credible scientific and engineering approaches that move beyond measuring the Casimir effect and into active control. The goal is to develop practical ways to manipulate Casimir-related interactions at surfaces, including both attractive and repulsive behaviors, and to demonstrate deliberate engineering of the Casimir force in designed systems.

3) What is the stated technical milestone for this effort?

A stated technical milestone for this single-phase effort is to show that the Casimir force can be deliberately engineered, including demonstrating the ability to neutralize (cancel) it under certain conditions.

4) Why is DARPA interested in controlling the Casimir force (defense relevance)?

The longer-term defense relevance described includes reducing or tuning effects like stiction and adhesion in nanoscale devices, altering friction-like interactions, and potentially influencing drag or other surface-mediated forces in operational environments.

5) Is this a measurement-focused Casimir program?

No. The opportunity emphasizes moving beyond simply measuring the Casimir effect. DARPA is seeking approaches for active control, tailoring, or cancellation of Casimir-related forces in engineered systems.

6) What is the role of the amendment mentioned in the notice?

The posted item is described as an amendment, and its main purpose is to change the full proposal due date. Proposers are directed to review the revised full BAA document for the updated information.

7) What are the key submission deadlines?

There are two key deadlines, both due at 12:00 PM (noon) Eastern Time:

• Proposal abstract deadline (required): Thursday, October 23, 2008
• Full proposal deadline: Originally listed as Thursday, December 18, 2008, but the amendment changes it to Tuesday, January 13 (as stated in the opportunity text)

8) Are proposal abstracts required?

Yes. The opportunity lists a required proposal abstract deadline, indicating that an abstract is required as part of the process.

9) What time zone are the deadlines based on?

The abstract and full proposal deadlines are specified as due at 12:00 PM (noon) Eastern Time.

10) What funding mechanisms or award instruments might DARPA use?

The opportunity indicates discretionary funding mechanisms and multiple possible instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, other procurement contracts, and related award vehicles. The instrument used may depend on what DARPA deems appropriate for a given proposal.

11) Is there a stated minimum or maximum award amount?

No. The listing shows the award ceiling and floor as 0, which typically indicates that funding levels are not pre-set in the summary and are instead defined by the scope and merit of the proposed work as evaluated under the BAA.

12) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that no cost sharing or matching is required.

13) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted. This generally means a wide range of applicant types may apply (such as companies, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations), subject to any limitations that may appear in the full text of the BAA.

14) What is the CFDA number and program classification?

The CFDA number referenced is 12.910 (Research and Technology Development). The activity category is listed as Science and Technology and other Research and Development.

15) What are the posted, closing, and archive dates shown in the summary?

The summary includes:

• Posted date: September 9, 2008
• Original closing date shown: September 9, 2009
• Archive date: October 23, 2009

16) How should proposers communicate with DARPA about this BAA?

Email is preferred for correspondence, and DARPA expects to use email for communications regarding BAA 08-59. The email address provided is baa08-59@darpa.mil.

17) Can abstracts or proposals be submitted by email or fax?

No. The notice explicitly states that proposals and abstracts may not be submitted by fax or email, and anything submitted that way will be disregarded. Proposers must follow the official submission instructions in the full BAA.

18) Where do I find the official submission instructions?

The notice directs proposers to review the revised full BAA document. The official submission instructions (including any designated submission systems, referenced indirectly through the TFIMS help line) are expected to be provided in that full BAA.

19) Who do I contact for administrative or TFIMS submission system questions?

For administrative/TFIMS issues, the notice provides the phone number (703) 351-8427.

20) Who do I contact for technical questions about the research topic?

For technical matters, the notice provides the phone number (703) 351-8573.

21) Who is the program contact listed in the announcement?

The announcement lists Dr. Thomas Kenny, Program Manager at DARPA, as a contact if there are difficulties accessing the full announcement electronically. The address provided is DARPA, 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714.

22) What should I do if I cannot access the full announcement electronically?

The notice states that Dr. Thomas Kenny is a contact point if there are difficulties accessing the full announcement electronically, and it also references the DARPA solicitations page for additional information.

23) Is this effort described as single-phase or multi-phase?

The opportunity describes a stated milestone for a single-phase effort.

24) Does the notice indicate anything about how DARPA will evaluate proposals?

Within the provided summary, the main evaluation-related detail is that funding levels are not pre-set and are instead tied to the scope and merit of proposed work as evaluated under the BAA. Specific evaluation criteria are not included in the provided text and would be expected in the full BAA.