In vivo Nanoplatforms for Diagnostics (IVNDx) | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): In vivo Nanoplatforms for Diagnostics (IVNDx) - DARPA BAA 12-33

1) What is the IVNDx opportunity?

In vivo Nanoplatforms for Diagnostics (IVNDx) is a DARPA research and development funding opportunity released under DARPA BAA 12-33 by DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO). It focuses on creating next-generation nanosensor platforms that can operate inside living organisms.

2) What is the main goal of this program?

The core goal is to move beyond traditional diagnostics that depend on intermittent sampling (such as blood draws or lab assays) by developing biocompatible nanosensors that enable continuous, noninvasive, and highly accurate monitoring of targets directly within living tissue.

3) Why does the program emphasize in vivo (inside living organisms) sensing?

The program is oriented toward persistent, real-time measurements in living systems rather than snapshots from occasional sampling. This approach is intended to provide continuous monitoring and direct measurement within tissue, which can be more informative than periodic external testing.

4) What kinds of organisms are included in the scope?

The solicitation explicitly includes sensing inside animals, plants, and insects, expanding the scope beyond human or mammalian health into broader biological contexts such as agriculture and ecological monitoring.

5) What types of targets or analytes does DARPA want these nanosensors to detect?

DARPA highlights a wide range of "conditions and substances," including small molecules (such as glucose, lactate, and urea), larger biological entities (including proteins and oligonucleotides), as well as infectious agents and chemical/biological threat agents.

6) Are the sensors expected to provide qualitative results, quantitative results, or both?

Both are in scope. The program wants sensors that support qualitative detection (presence/absence or identification) and quantitative measurement (accurate concentration values), including performance across large concentration ranges.

7) What performance qualities are implied by the IVNDx description?

Based on the opportunity description, the desired platforms imply needs such as sensitivity, selectivity in complex biological fluids, stability over time, and robust calibration or self-referencing strategies to reduce drift during long-term in vivo operation.

8) What materials and biocompatibility requirements are emphasized?

The program emphasizes that systems should be made from non-toxic materials and should have limited immunogenicity to help prevent unwanted immune responses. This is important for long-term function in vivo, where inflammation, encapsulation, or rapid clearance can impair sensor performance.

9) Why is limited immunogenicity important for in vivo nanosensors?

Long-term in vivo sensing requires devices that do not trigger strong immune responses. The opportunity notes concerns such as inflammation, encapsulation, or rapid clearance, all of which can degrade performance or shorten functional lifetime.

10) Does the opportunity encourage noninvasive readout?

Yes. The core aim includes continuous and noninvasive monitoring, and the description notes that the readout should enable accurate measurement while staying compatible with living tissue and supporting noninvasive access to the signal whenever possible.

11) What sensing modalities are allowed?

The solicitation is broad and invites sensing approaches that translate biological or chemical events into measurable signals using optical, electronic, thermal, or magnetic mechanisms.

12) What are examples of small-molecule targets mentioned?

The opportunity lists glucose, lactate, and urea as example small-molecule targets. These are described as classic biomarkers tied to metabolism, stress, infection, renal function, and overall physiological state.

13) What are examples of larger biological targets mentioned?

Examples include proteins and oligonucleotides. The description notes these can represent signaling molecules, disease markers, gene expression indicators, or pathogen genetic material.

14) Does the opportunity include defense-relevant detection?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly includes infectious agents and chemical/biological threat agents, indicating interest in defense-relevant detection such as early warning of exposure or infection in operational environments.

15) What kind of funding opportunity is this?

It is categorized as discretionary funding under a DARPA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), supporting high-risk, high-reward research and development with active program management.

16) What funding instruments may DARPA use for awards under this opportunity?

The summary indicates multiple instrument types may be used, including cooperative agreements, grants, other procurement contracts, and potentially other mechanisms.

17) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The summary record indicates there is no cost-sharing or matching requirement listed.

18) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the call is open to essentially any type of applicant entity, subject to any additional constraints or requirements that may be specified in the full BAA text.

19) What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?

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

20) When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The posting date is March 15, 2012. The original and current closing date is June 28, 2012. The archive date is December 28, 2012.

21) Are the award ceiling and floor amounts provided?

The award ceiling and floor are listed as 0 in the summary, which commonly indicates the specific funding ranges were not captured in the summary record and that actual amounts depend on DARPA evaluation, negotiated scope, and available funds as defined in the full announcement.

22) Where can applicants find full details for IVNDx?

DARPA points to the Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) solicitations page for full details. The full BAA is expected to contain the technical areas, performer expectations, metrics, deliverables, test and evaluation considerations, submission instructions, and evaluation criteria.

23) Who is listed as a point of contact for access issues?

The opportunity lists Dr. Timothy Broderick (Program Manager) and the MTO BAA Coordinator as contact points for access issues.

24) What office within DARPA released this solicitation?

The opportunity was released by DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO).

25) What should proposers expect to find in the full BAA that is not in the summary?

The summary indicates that the full BAA would contain the information needed to propose effectively, including technical areas, performer expectations, metrics, deliverables, test and evaluation considerations, submission instructions, and DARPA's evaluation criteria.