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FAQs: FUTURE ARCTIC SENSING TECHNOLOGIES (DARPA BAA 15-28)

What is the FUTURE ARCTIC SENSING TECHNOLOGIES opportunity (DARPA BAA 15-28)?

It is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) solicitation focused on creating new sensor systems designed specifically for Arctic conditions. The program is research-oriented and seeks innovative approaches that go beyond traditional Arctic monitoring methods.

What is the central goal of this DARPA solicitation?

The central aim is to develop unmanned sensing solutions that can be deployed quickly and affordably, operate with minimal environmental impact, and still provide useful surveillance and identification capability in remote regions above the Arctic Circle.

What kinds of capabilities is DARPA looking for in proposed systems?

DARPA is looking for concepts that can detect, track, and identify targets. The solicitation highlights multi-domain sensing, meaning systems should be able to support surveillance and identification needs across different operating environments.

What target domains are specifically mentioned?

The opportunity explicitly mentions three domains:

• Air targets (such as aircraft or drones)
• Surface targets (such as ships or vehicles)
• Subsurface targets (such as submarines or other underwater activity)

Is this only about sensing, or are other functions required too?

It is not only about sensing. A major challenge described in the opportunity is practical deployment in austere Arctic locations and reliable "data reach back" communications so information collected in remote regions can be delivered to users located elsewhere.

What does "data reach back" mean in this context?

Based on the description, "data reach back" refers to communications from remote Arctic sensing locations back to other users who need the information outside the local area. The solicitation emphasizes that this reach-back must be reliable despite austere conditions.

What does DARPA mean by "rapidly deployable" and "low-cost" systems?

The solicitation emphasizes designs that reduce logistics burden, avoid heavy infrastructure, and can be fielded on short timelines. The focus on affordability and rapid deployment suggests DARPA is interested in practical approaches that can be deployed without extensive buildout or long lead times.

Why does the opportunity emphasize "environmentally friendly" solutions?

The Arctic is described as a sensitive environment, and the solicitation notes DARPA is attentive to minimizing ecological disruption. This can influence choices such as materials, power sources, deployment methods, and recovery or end-of-life considerations, as implied by the opportunity summary.

Are the systems expected to be manned or unmanned?

The opportunity is centered on unmanned sensing solutions. Because the systems are intended to be unmanned, proposals would generally be expected to consider autonomy, persistence, survivability, and the realities of limited maintenance access in remote Arctic locations.

What operating challenges in the Arctic are specifically called out?

The summary highlights extreme weather, limited sunlight, icing, and constrained maintenance access. These factors drive the need for robustness, persistence, and operational reliability in harsh conditions.

What type of solicitation is this?

It is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), referenced as DARPA BAA 15-28, and it is described as broad and research-oriented, inviting innovative proposals that push beyond traditional approaches.

Which DARPA office is associated with this opportunity?

Administratively, the opportunity is listed under DARPA's Strategic Technology Office.

How is this opportunity categorized in terms of funding area?

It is categorized under Science and Technology and other Research and Development, with CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).

What funding instruments might DARPA use for awards under this BAA?

The announcement allows multiple funding instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, procurement contracts, and other mechanisms. The government may choose the arrangement depending on the nature and maturity of the proposed work and the level of expected 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, meaning it is broadly open to a wide range of applicants (such as companies, universities, nonprofits, and other organizations), subject to any additional eligibility language contained in the full BAA text.

When was the opportunity posted?

The opportunity was posted on February 25, 2015.

What was the closing date?

The original and current closing date listed is April 14, 2015.

Is this opportunity still active?

No. It was later archived on September 22, 2015.

Where are the full technical requirements and submission instructions located?

Full technical requirements, submission instructions, evaluation criteria, and any topic-specific constraints are contained in the complete Broad Agency Announcement referenced as DARPA BAA 15-28 on the FedBizOpps listing.

Who should be contacted for access issues related to the full announcement?

For access issues related to the full announcement, the listed point of contact is the BAA Coordinator for DARPA BAA 15-28.