Opportunity Information: Apply for DARPA BAA 14 31
Apply for DARPA BAA 14 31
- The DARPA Microsystems Technology Office in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Direct On chip Digital Optical Synthesizer (DODOS)" 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 Jun 10, 2014 and posted on Apr 17, 2014.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Jul 8, 2014 Important Dates Posting Date April 17, 2014 Proposers Day April 28, 2014 Abstract Due Date May 16, 2014 Proposal Due Date July 8, 2014 Estimated period of performance start November 24, 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.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Direct On chip Digital Optical Synthesizer (DODOS) opportunity (DARPA BAA 14-31) is a DARPA Microsystems Technology Office research solicitation focused on making optical frequency synthesis practical at chip scale. In plain terms, DARPA is looking for ways to generate a very clean, single-frequency optical output ("pure tone" light) whose frequency is tightly and accurately related to an input radio-frequency reference. The big payoff DARPA is aiming for is an integrated optical frequency synthesizer that dramatically reduces cost, size, weight, and power compared to existing approaches, while still being robust enough to function as a real device rather than a fragile lab setup. The program emphasis is not just on one component, but on developing the underlying component technologies and then integrating them into a compact, low-SWaP system.
Across the amendments, DARPA clarified both what it wants built and how it wants proposals structured. Amendment 01 tightens and clarifies the official program objectives described in the BAA, essentially making it clearer what outcomes and capabilities DARPA expects proposers to target. Amendment 02 reorganizes the technical work into two distinct tracks. Technical Area 1 covers the main thrust of the program: comprehensive DODOS technology development, meaning end-to-end progress on the core optical synthesizer concept, the enabling components, and their integration into a working chip-scale unit. Technical Area 2 is reserved for advanced studies that explore alternative or supporting microscale optical frequency synthesis technologies, but only if those studies are directly relevant to the overall DODOS objectives. This gives teams a lane to propose exploratory work that could de-risk or enable the main effort without requiring them to deliver the full integrated demonstrator under that specific technical area. Amendment 03 adds a very concrete proposal requirement: offerors must provide a complete power budget for the proposed DODOS, broken down by component and by phase. That addition signals how strongly the program is anchored to SWaP outcomes and forces teams to quantify power consumption rather than treating it as an afterthought.
From an administrative and contracting standpoint, the opportunity is a discretionary DARPA solicitation under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development). DARPA indicated multiple possible award instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions, and procurement contracts, which typically means DARPA intends to choose the contracting mechanism that best fits each proposed effort and the level of government involvement anticipated. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated, and eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any limitations or details that may appear in the full announcement text. Award floor and ceiling were listed as 0, which generally indicates that DARPA did not publish fixed minimums or maximums in the synopsis and that funding level is expected to depend on the content and scope of proposals received.
The timeline provided in the synopsis shows the program moving on a fast DARPA cadence. The BAA was posted April 17, 2014, with a Proposers Day on April 28, 2014, an abstract deadline of May 16, 2014, and a full proposal deadline of July 8, 2014. The estimated period of performance start date was November 24, 2014, and the opportunity later archived on January 8, 2015. For questions or access issues, the listed point of contact was Dr. Robert Lutwak (Program Manager / BAA Coordinator), and the announcement referenced the MTO Solicitations page for additional information.
Overall, DODOS is best understood as a DARPA push to compress high-performance optical frequency synthesis into an integrated, chip-scale platform that can translate an RF reference into an optically precise output with strong guarantees on spectral purity and frequency accuracy, while meeting aggressive SWaP constraints. The amendments make clear that DARPA wants both a coherent path to an integrated demonstrator (Technical Area 1) and room for tightly relevant exploratory studies (Technical Area 2), and it expects proposers to quantify power usage in detail, component-by-component and phase-by-phase, as part of the technical rationale and approach.
Direct On chip Digital Optical Synthesizer (DODOS) (DARPA BAA 14-31) FAQs
What is the DODOS opportunity (DARPA BAA 14-31)?
DODOS (Direct On chip Digital Optical Synthesizer) is a DARPA Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) research solicitation aimed at making optical frequency synthesis practical at chip scale. The focus is on developing the technologies and integration approach needed to create a compact, low size-weight-and-power (SWaP) optical frequency synthesizer.
What problem is DARPA trying to solve with DODOS?
DARPA is trying to shrink and harden optical frequency synthesis so it can function as a real device rather than a fragile laboratory setup. The program is aiming for a major reduction in cost, size, weight, and power compared to existing approaches, while still delivering high-performance optical output.
In plain terms, what does DODOS want to generate?
DODOS targets a very clean, single-frequency optical output (often described as "pure tone" light) whose frequency is tightly and accurately related to an input radio-frequency (RF) reference.
What does it mean that the optical output is related to an RF reference?
Based on the solicitation description, the goal is to translate an RF reference into an optically precise output, with strong guarantees on spectral purity and frequency accuracy. In other words, the optical frequency should be tightly linked to the RF input reference rather than drifting independently.
Is DODOS about building one component or an integrated system?
It is explicitly not limited to a single component. The program emphasizes developing underlying component technologies and integrating them into a compact, low-SWaP system.
Which DARPA office is running this solicitation?
The solicitation is run by DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO).
How did the amendments change or clarify the program?
Across the amendments, DARPA clarified what it wants built and how proposals should be structured. Amendment 01 tightened and clarified the official program objectives. Amendment 02 reorganized the technical scope into two technical areas (tracks). Amendment 03 added a specific requirement to submit a complete power budget broken down by component and by phase.
What did Amendment 01 do?
Amendment 01 tightened and clarified the official program objectives described in the BAA, making the expected outcomes and capabilities more explicit for proposers.
What are the two Technical Areas introduced in Amendment 02?
Amendment 02 split the work into two tracks: Technical Area 1 and Technical Area 2. Technical Area 1 covers comprehensive DODOS technology development (end-to-end progress and integration into a working chip-scale unit). Technical Area 2 is for advanced studies of alternative or supporting microscale optical frequency synthesis technologies, but only when those studies are directly relevant to DODOS objectives.
What is the focus of Technical Area 1 (TA1)?
Technical Area 1 is the main thrust of the program: comprehensive DODOS technology development. This includes end-to-end progress on the core optical synthesizer concept, the enabling components, and integration into a working chip-scale unit.
What is the focus of Technical Area 2 (TA2)?
Technical Area 2 is reserved for advanced studies that explore alternative or supporting microscale optical frequency synthesis technologies, as long as the work is directly relevant to overall DODOS objectives. This track provides room for exploratory work intended to de-risk or enable the main effort without requiring delivery of a full integrated demonstrator within TA2.
Does Technical Area 2 require delivering a full integrated demonstrator?
Based on the description provided, TA2 allows tightly relevant exploratory work without requiring teams to deliver the full integrated demonstrator under that specific technical area.
What proposal requirement was added in Amendment 03?
Amendment 03 requires offerors to provide a complete power budget for the proposed DODOS, broken down by component and by phase.
Why is the power budget requirement important in this program?
The requirement signals that the program is strongly anchored to SWaP outcomes and that DARPA expects proposers to quantify power consumption rather than treating it as a secondary detail. The power budget must be detailed by component and by phase.
What is the CFDA number and program type listed for this opportunity?
The solicitation is listed under CFDA 12.910, described as Research and Technology Development.
What types of award instruments might DARPA use?
DARPA indicated multiple possible award instruments, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions, and procurement contracts. This typically means DARPA may choose the mechanism that best fits each proposed effort and the expected level of government involvement.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any limitations or details that may appear in the full announcement text.
Were minimum or maximum award sizes published?
The award floor and ceiling were listed as 0, which generally indicates that fixed minimums or maximums were not published in the synopsis and that funding levels were expected to depend on proposal scope and content.
When was the BAA posted?
The BAA was posted on April 17, 2014.
Was there a Proposers Day?
Yes. The Proposers Day was held on April 28, 2014.
What were the abstract and full proposal deadlines?
The abstract deadline was May 16, 2014, and the full proposal deadline was July 8, 2014.
What was the estimated start date for the period of performance?
The estimated period of performance start date was November 24, 2014.
When was the opportunity archived?
The opportunity was archived on January 8, 2015.
Who was the point of contact listed for questions or access issues?
The listed point of contact was Dr. Robert Lutwak (Program Manager / BAA Coordinator).
Where did the announcement direct users for additional information?
The announcement referenced the MTO Solicitations page for additional information.
What is the main "payoff" DARPA is aiming for with DODOS?
The major payoff described is an integrated optical frequency synthesizer that dramatically reduces cost, size, weight, and power compared to existing approaches, while being robust enough to function as a practical device.
How should DODOS be summarized at a high level?
DODOS is a DARPA push to compress high-performance optical frequency synthesis into an integrated, chip-scale platform that can translate an RF reference into an optically precise output while meeting aggressive SWaP constraints. The amendments clarify the structure for integrated demonstrator work (TA1), tightly relevant exploratory studies (TA2), and a detailed, quantified approach to power consumption.
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