Opportunity Information: Apply for DARPA BAA 10 09
Apply for DARPA BAA 10 09
- The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Innovative Systems for Military Missions" 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 Nov 23, 2010 and posted on Nov 16, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 16, 2010. (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:
DARPA's Tactical Technology Office (TTO) is seeking submissions for its Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Innovative Systems for Military Missions" (Funding Opportunity Number: DARPA BAA 10-09). The core purpose of this opportunity is to fund advanced research and development efforts that produce high-risk, high-payoff military capabilities. DARPA is specifically interested in "innovative systems," meaning integrated systems or critical components that leverage new or emerging technologies to deliver major, potentially game-changing improvements in military capability, efficiency, and overall mission effectiveness. Rather than incremental upgrades, the emphasis is on concepts that could reshape how missions are carried out or significantly counter emerging threats.
The solicitation is organized around three mission thrust areas, and proposed concepts should clearly align to at least one of them: Advanced Weapons Systems, Advanced Platforms, and Advanced Space Systems. Submissions related to any of these thrusts could be sent in at any point while the solicitation window remained open. Across all thrusts, TTO is looking for efforts that go beyond basic research and move into the development, integration, demonstration, and evaluation of systems or enabling components. In practical terms, proposals are expected to show credible potential for transitioning into impactful military use, including a clear description of the revolutionary mission capability being enabled and why the approach is compelling despite the technical risks.
A notable feature of this opportunity is the staged submission process designed to reduce unnecessary proposal-writing burden. While applicants may submit a full proposal at any time without prerequisites, DARPA strongly encourages starting with a brief, one-page executive summary describing the technology area and the new idea. These executive summaries are reviewed as they arrive, and favorable feedback can lead to an invitation to submit a longer white paper (typically six pages) that explains the concept in more depth before investing time in a full proposal. DARPA program managers may also reach out to discuss an idea after reviewing the executive summary or white paper, which can help applicants refine the technical approach and better match TTO priorities. Overall, the executive summary and white paper steps function as an early screening and feedback mechanism so that only the most relevant and promising concepts move forward to full proposal development.
DARPA also emphasizes the importance of a complete systems engineering approach. That means respondents should think end-to-end about requirements, system integration, interfaces, testing, demonstration, operational concepts, and evaluation metrics rather than treating the work as a standalone technology development effort. TTO is particularly interested in innovative concepts driven by emerging technical opportunities, advanced system concepts, evolving threats, and technology-enabled concepts of operation, so proposals should clearly articulate what is newly possible, why it matters operationally, and how the system would be validated through meaningful demonstrations or evaluations.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary federal funding opportunity and can be awarded through multiple instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions/arrangements, and procurement contracts, depending on the nature of the work and DARPA's preferred mechanism. The activity category is science and technology and other research and development, listed under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development). Cost sharing is not required. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different types of entities, subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full announcement. The posted date was November 16, 2009, with an original closing date of November 16, 2010, and a final closing date of December 16, 2010, with archiving in January 2011. The notice does not specify award floor or ceiling amounts (both shown as 0), which generally signals that funding levels would depend on the specific proposal, scope, and DARPA interest.
Applicants are encouraged to review TTO's public website (http://www.darpa.mil/TTO) to understand the office's past and current systems-oriented efforts and to better frame submissions in a way that matches TTO's interests. For those who had trouble accessing the full announcement, the listed point of contact was Roger Hall at the Tactical Technology Office, reachable via the email address DARPA_BAA_10_09@darpa.mil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the name of this funding opportunity?
The opportunity is DARPA's Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Innovative Systems for Military Missions" (Funding Opportunity Number: DARPA BAA 10-09).
Which DARPA office is offering this BAA?
This BAA is offered by DARPA's Tactical Technology Office (TTO).
What is the core purpose of the BAA?
The purpose is to fund advanced research and development efforts that produce high-risk, high-payoff military capabilities, with an emphasis on concepts that can deliver major, potentially game-changing improvements in mission effectiveness.
What does DARPA mean by "innovative systems" in this announcement?
In this context, "innovative systems" refers to integrated systems or critical components that leverage new or emerging technologies to achieve major improvements in military capability, efficiency, and overall mission effectiveness. The focus is on revolutionary impact rather than incremental upgrades.
Is this opportunity aimed at basic research or later-stage development?
The announcement emphasizes efforts that go beyond basic research and move into development, integration, demonstration, and evaluation of systems or enabling components.
What mission areas does the solicitation cover?
The solicitation is organized around three mission thrust areas: Advanced Weapons Systems, Advanced Platforms, and Advanced Space Systems.
Do proposals need to align to a mission thrust area?
Yes. Proposed concepts should clearly align to at least one of the three mission thrust areas listed in the solicitation.
Can submissions be sent at any time?
Yes. Submissions related to any of the thrusts could be submitted at any point while the solicitation window remained open.
Is a full proposal required as the first step?
No. While applicants may submit a full proposal at any time without prerequisites, DARPA strongly encourages starting with a brief, one-page executive summary as an initial step.
What should be included in the one-page executive summary?
The executive summary should describe the technology area and the new idea. It functions as an early screening and feedback mechanism before investing in longer submissions.
What happens after submitting an executive summary?
Executive summaries are reviewed as they arrive. Favorable feedback can lead to an invitation to submit a longer white paper, and DARPA program managers may also reach out to discuss an idea.
What is the typical length of the white paper?
The white paper is typically six pages and is intended to explain the concept in more depth before an applicant invests time in a full proposal.
Does submitting an executive summary guarantee an invitation to submit a white paper?
No. The executive summary is reviewed upon receipt, and an invitation to submit a white paper is based on favorable feedback and perceived alignment with TTO priorities.
Does submitting a white paper guarantee funding or selection?
No. The executive summary and white paper steps are described as screening and feedback mechanisms so that the most relevant and promising concepts move forward to full proposal development.
What is meant by a "complete systems engineering approach" in this BAA?
DARPA emphasizes end-to-end systems thinking, including requirements, system integration, interfaces, testing, demonstration, operational concepts, and evaluation metrics. Proposals are expected to treat the effort as a system development and validation activity, not only as standalone technology development.
What should proposals say about operational relevance and transition?
Proposals are expected to show credible potential for transitioning into impactful military use, including a clear description of the revolutionary mission capability being enabled and why the approach is compelling despite technical risks.
What kinds of concepts is TTO particularly interested in?
TTO is particularly interested in innovative concepts driven by emerging technical opportunities, advanced system concepts, evolving threats, and technology-enabled concepts of operation. Proposals should clearly articulate what is newly possible, why it matters operationally, and how it would be validated through demonstrations or evaluations.
What type of federal funding opportunity is this?
This is described as a discretionary federal funding opportunity.
What award instrument types may DARPA use under this BAA?
The notice states awards can be made using multiple instrument types, including cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions/arrangements, and procurement contracts, depending on the nature of the work and DARPA's preferred mechanism.
What is the activity category and CFDA number?
The activity category is science and technology and other research and development, under CFDA 12.910 (Research and Technology Development).
Is cost sharing required?
No. The notice states that cost sharing is not required.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to different types of entities, subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full announcement.
When was this opportunity posted?
The posted date was November 16, 2009.
What were the closing dates for the solicitation?
The original closing date was November 16, 2010, and the final closing date was December 16, 2010. The opportunity was archived in January 2011.
Are award floor or ceiling amounts stated?
No. The notice does not specify award floor or ceiling amounts (both shown as 0), which generally indicates funding levels would depend on the proposal scope and DARPA interest.
Where can applicants learn more about TTO to better frame submissions?
Applicants are encouraged to review TTO's public website at http://www.darpa.mil/TTO to understand the office's past and current systems-oriented efforts and to better align submissions with TTO interests.
Who is the point of contact for access issues or questions about the full announcement?
The listed point of contact is Roger Hall at the Tactical Technology Office. The provided email address is DARPA_BAA_10_09@darpa.mil.
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