Opportunity Information: Apply for DARPA BAA 16 31

  • The DOD-DARPA-TTO 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.
  • This funding opportunity was created on May 26, 2016 and posted on May 26, 2016.
  • Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 28, 2017. (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.
Apply for DARPA BAA 16 31

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Opportunity Summary:

The Department of Defense, through DARPA's Tactical Technology Office (TTO), issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Innovative Systems for Military Missions" (Funding Opportunity Number: DARPA BAA 16-31). The focus of this opportunity is to identify and support advanced research, development, and demonstration efforts that can produce innovative systems relevant to military missions. In practical terms, DARPA is looking for new ideas that could meaningfully change what is possible for defense operations, including high-risk, high-payoff concepts that may not fit well within more conventional acquisition or research programs.

This opportunity falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category and is associated with CFDA number 12.910. DARPA indicates it will consider multiple award instrument types, including procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and other mechanisms. That mix signals flexibility in how DARPA can structure relationships with performers depending on the nature of the proposed work, the level of collaboration anticipated, and the maturity of the technology or system concept. The solicitation explicitly mentions the submission of executive summaries, white papers, and full proposals, which reflects a staged engagement process commonly used by DARPA to quickly screen concepts, provide early feedback, and then invite or encourage more detailed proposals where appropriate.

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is broadly open to a wide range of applicant types, with the caveat that applicants should review any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement text. In general, unrestricted eligibility typically allows participation by large and small businesses, universities, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and other entities that can credibly perform advanced R&D and demonstration work. Because this is a DARPA BAA managed by TTO, prospective applicants would typically be expected to propose technically rigorous approaches, clearly articulate novelty and mission relevance, and outline a plausible path to demonstration.

Key dates provided for the posting show the opportunity was created and posted on May 26, 2016, with an original and current closing date of April 28, 2017. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data, which can mean the agency intended to keep award sizes and quantities flexible and driven by proposal quality, available funding, and program priorities. Overall, the solicitation is best understood as an open call for breakthrough system concepts and enabling technologies that DARPA TTO could advance through R&D and demonstration to improve or transform military capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the name of this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) titled "Innovative Systems for Military Missions" issued by the Department of Defense through DARPA's Tactical Technology Office (TTO).

What is the Funding Opportunity Number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is DARPA BAA 16-31.

Which agency and office are sponsoring the announcement?

The sponsor is the U.S. Department of Defense, through the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), specifically DARPA's Tactical Technology Office (TTO).

What is DARPA seeking to fund through this BAA?

DARPA is seeking advanced research, development, and demonstration efforts that can produce innovative systems relevant to military missions. The emphasis is on ideas that could meaningfully change what is possible for defense operations, including high-risk, high-payoff concepts that may not fit well within conventional acquisition or research programs.

What kinds of projects are a fit for this opportunity?

Projects that propose breakthrough system concepts and enabling technologies for military missions, backed by technically rigorous approaches and a plausible path to demonstration, are described as a strong fit based on the announcement summary.

Is this opportunity focused on research, development, or deployment?

Based on the description, it is focused on research, development, and demonstration (R&D and demonstration), rather than routine procurement or deployment.

What category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.

What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The associated CFDA number is 12.910.

What award instrument types might DARPA use for this BAA?

DARPA indicates it will consider multiple award instrument types, including procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, and other mechanisms.

Why does the announcement mention multiple award instrument types?

The stated mix signals flexibility in how DARPA can structure relationships with performers, depending on factors such as the nature of the proposed work, the level of collaboration anticipated, and the maturity of the technology or system concept.

Does the BAA use a staged submission process?

Yes. The solicitation explicitly mentions submission of executive summaries, white papers, and full proposals, which indicates a staged engagement process.

What is the purpose of submitting an executive summary or white paper?

The provided description explains that this staged process is commonly used by DARPA to quickly screen concepts, provide early feedback, and then invite or encourage more detailed proposals where appropriate.

Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to a wide range of applicant types. Applicants are also advised (in the summary provided) to review any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement text.

What types of organizations can typically apply under "unrestricted" eligibility?

Based on the summary provided, unrestricted eligibility typically allows participation by large and small businesses, universities, nonprofit organizations, research institutions, and other entities that can credibly perform advanced R&D and demonstration work.

What does DARPA generally expect from prospective applicants to a TTO-managed BAA?

Prospective applicants would typically be expected to propose technically rigorous approaches, clearly articulate novelty and mission relevance, and outline a plausible path to demonstration.

When was this opportunity posted?

The posting indicates it was created and posted on May 26, 2016.

What is the application deadline?

The original and current closing date listed is April 28, 2017.

Are the award ceiling and expected number of awards provided?

No. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source data.

What does it mean that the award ceiling and number of awards are not specified?

Based on the provided description, this can mean the agency intended to keep award sizes and quantities flexible and driven by proposal quality, available funding, and program priorities.

How should this solicitation be understood at a high level?

Overall, it is best understood as an open call for breakthrough system concepts and enabling technologies that DARPA TTO could advance through R&D and demonstration to improve or transform military capabilities.

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