Dynamic Prevention of Biofouling (DyPOB) | Apply Online

Dynamic Prevention of Biofouling (DyPOB) - FAQs

What is the Dynamic Prevention of Biofouling (DyPOB) opportunity?

DyPOB is a DARPA Defense Sciences Office research solicitation that focuses on creating next-generation anti-biofouling coatings and engineered surface technologies for marine environments (and potentially other wet environments). The goal is to move beyond conventional antifouling methods and develop inherently fouling-resistant solutions that stay effective over long time horizons.

What problem is DyPOB trying to solve?

DyPOB targets biofouling, the accumulation of microorganisms, algae, plants, and small animals on submerged surfaces. Biofouling can degrade performance, increase drag and fuel use, accelerate corrosion, and drive up maintenance costs.

What types of environments or platforms are relevant to this program?

The solicitation is centered on marine environments and submerged surfaces, with a note that the technologies may also be applicable to other wet environments. The emphasis includes real operational conditions where platforms may be stationary, moored, loitering, or moving slowly.

What makes DyPOB different from traditional antifouling efforts?

DyPOB prioritizes approaches that do not depend on periodic cleaning or toxic chemical release to manage fouling. Instead, DARPA is looking for coatings and/or surface designs that are inherently resistant to settlement and long-term attachment, and that stay effective for years.

Why does the solicitation emphasize performance at zero or low velocities?

Many existing antifouling or foul-release approaches work better when a vessel is moving because shear forces can discourage attachment or remove early growth. DyPOB explicitly prioritizes solutions that remain effective when platforms are stationary or operating slowly, because fouling often takes hold most rapidly during prolonged dwell times.

Does DyPOB require the technology to work without motion?

Yes. A defining feature of DyPOB is that coatings or engineered surfaces should not need motion to work and should maintain a clean or nearly clean surface even during long stationary periods.

Is DyPOB looking for biocide-based antifouling coatings?

No. The opportunity emphasizes biocide-free technology. Traditional antifouling coatings commonly rely on toxic release mechanisms (historically organotin compounds, and later copper-based systems or organic booster biocides). DyPOB seeks approaches that avoid toxic release mechanisms.

What kinds of biocide-free approaches are suggested by the summary?

The summary points toward physical, mechanical, and materials-based strategies. Examples mentioned include surface chemistry that discourages adhesion, micro- or nano-textured surfaces that prevent stable attachment, low-surface-energy foul-release materials, dynamically changing surfaces, and other non-toxic mechanisms that reduce initial settlement and long-term attachment strength.

How important are durability and longevity for proposed solutions?

Durability and longevity are central program goals. DARPA is not looking for short-lived demonstrations or coatings requiring frequent renewal. The solicitation calls for surfaces/coatings that remain durable for several years and do not lose effectiveness over the expected life of the coating or surface.

What real-world stressors should coatings or surfaces be able to withstand?

The summary highlights interest in survivability under conditions such as abrasion, impact, UV exposure (for intermittently exposed surfaces), saltwater immersion, thermal cycling, cleaning events, and general wear. It also implies the antifouling mechanism should not wear out quickly, leach away, become chemically altered, or lose critical surface features over time.

What is the funding opportunity type and sponsoring organization?

This is a discretionary federal R&D opportunity under DARPA BAA 09-23, managed within DARPA's Defense Sciences Office. It is listed in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development activity category.

What funding instruments may be used for awards under this solicitation?

The opportunity allows multiple instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions, and procurement contracts. This means DARPA may structure awards differently depending on the work and the relationship with the performer.

What is the CFDA number associated with DyPOB?

The CFDA number listed for this program is 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No stated cost sharing or matching requirement is included in the provided summary, which can make participation more accessible for universities, small businesses, and other research organizations.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to a broad range of applicant types, subject to any specific clarifications in the full BAA text. The summary notes that, in practice, this typically includes universities, nonprofit research organizations, small businesses, large defense contractors, and other qualified entities.

Are collaborative or team proposals relevant for DyPOB?

Yes. The summary indicates teams and collaborations may apply, including groups combining materials science, marine biology, surface engineering, and testing expertise.

What level of innovation is DARPA likely expecting?

The summary indicates that, as a DARPA opportunity, proposals are typically expected to be innovative, technically aggressive, and supported by a credible plan for experimental validation and demonstration.

When was the DyPOB opportunity posted, and what were the closing dates?

The announcement was posted on March 17, 2009. The original and current closing date is listed as March 16, 2010, and the archive date is April 16, 2010.

Is this solicitation window still open based on the dates provided?

Based on the dates in the summary, the solicitation window is in the past (closing in March 2010 and archived in April 2010). The summary still describes the technical intent and requirements that the opportunity emphasized.

Where do applicants find full technical details and proposal requirements?

The summary directs applicants to the attached DARPA BAA 09-23 documentation for full technical details, required proposal structure, and any specific test metrics or demonstration expectations.

Who should be contacted for access issues related to the solicitation documents?

The summary notes that the solicitation provides a DARPA BAA Coordinator contact for access issues related to the attached documentation.

What are the key technical priorities that a proposal should address according to the summary?

From the provided description, the main priorities are: (1) long-lasting, inherently fouling-resistant coatings or surfaces; (2) strong performance at zero or low velocities (stationary or slow-moving conditions); (3) biocide-free mechanisms (non-toxic approaches); and (4) durability for multiple years under real-world marine stressors without rapid degradation of the antifouling mechanism.