Opportunity Information: Apply for DARPA BAA 09 45
Apply for DARPA BAA 09 45
- The DARPA Defense Sciences Office in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Low Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics (PoP)" 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 Jul 13, 2009 and posted on Apr 22, 2009.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Apr 21, 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:
The Low Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics (PoP) opportunity (DARPA BAA 09-45) is a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency solicitation issued through DARPA's Defense Sciences Office focused on advancing photovoltaic (solar) power sources specifically suited for portable and field-use applications. The central aim is to support innovative research and development that can produce photovoltaic systems with a strong combination of high efficiency and real-world practicality, meaning the resulting technologies should not only convert sunlight to electricity effectively, but also be easy to carry, deploy, and use in demanding environments. In practical terms, DARPA is looking for photovoltaic concepts and prototypes that move beyond traditional rigid, heavy solar panels by emphasizing portability, flexibility, durability, and manufacturability at low cost.
From a technical perspective, the program highlights several performance characteristics at once: efficiency (how much electrical power can be produced from available sunlight), portability and lightweight form factors (so systems can be transported and used by individuals or small teams), flexibility (including designs that can bend, fold, or conform to surfaces without failing), durability (resistance to wear, weather, handling, and operational stress), and ease of manufacture (approaches that can realistically be produced at scale with consistent quality and lower cost). The solicitation signals that DARPA is interested in proposals that tackle the full set of tradeoffs that typically hold portable solar back, such as the tendency for lightweight flexible materials to be less durable, or for high-efficiency technologies to be expensive or difficult to fabricate. The broad wording suggests DARPA is open to a range of photovoltaic materials, device architectures, packaging methods, and manufacturing processes, as long as they can credibly deliver improvements aligned with the PoP objectives.
Administratively, this funding opportunity is categorized as discretionary and is associated with science and technology and other research and development activities. The listed funding instrument types include cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions, and procurement contracts, which indicates DARPA intended to use more than one contracting or assistance mechanism depending on the nature of the proposed work and the level of government involvement anticipated. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement stated, lowering the barrier for participation by organizations that may not be able to contribute significant non-federal funds. The program is identified under CFDA number 12.910 (Research and Technology Development), which is commonly used for Department of Defense R&D assistance activities.
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning the opportunity is broadly open to any type of applicant entity, subject to any additional limits or clarifications in the full announcement text. In practice, that typically means universities, small businesses, large businesses, nonprofits, and other research organizations may be able to apply, provided they comply with the terms and conditions described in the full BAA. The opportunity was posted on April 22, 2009, with an original and current closing date of April 21, 2010, and an archive date of May 21, 2010, indicating it was a time-limited solicitation that is no longer open.
The official point of reference for full requirements is the attached Broad Agency Announcement, DARPA BAA 09-45, which would normally contain the detailed technical areas of interest, proposal structure, evaluation criteria, submission instructions, and any security, export control, intellectual property, or reporting expectations. For access issues, DARPA provided a contact route through the BAA administrator at the email address listed in the notice (DARPA-BAA-09-45@darpa.mil). Overall, PoP is best understood as a DARPA R&D call seeking breakthrough or high-leverage photovoltaic solutions tailored to portable operational needs, with special emphasis on making advanced solar power both practical in the field and feasible to manufacture at low cost.
FAQs: Low Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics (PoP) (DARPA BAA 09-45)
What is the PoP opportunity (DARPA BAA 09-45)?
The Low Cost Lightweight Portable Photovoltaics (PoP) opportunity is a DARPA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA 09-45) issued by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency through its Defense Sciences Office. It solicits research and development focused on photovoltaic (solar) power sources designed for portable, field-use applications.
What is DARPA trying to achieve with PoP?
The core goal is to advance photovoltaic systems that combine high efficiency with real-world practicality for demanding environments. DARPA is looking for concepts and prototypes that are easy to carry, deploy, and use in the field, while still producing electrical power effectively from sunlight.
What kinds of photovoltaic systems does this solicitation emphasize?
The solicitation emphasizes moving beyond traditional rigid and heavy solar panels. It highlights portable, lightweight, flexible, durable photovoltaic approaches that can realistically be manufactured at low cost.
What technical characteristics are highlighted as priorities?
PoP highlights multiple performance characteristics at once, including:
- Efficiency (effective conversion of sunlight into electricity)
- Portability and lightweight form factors (use by individuals or small teams)
- Flexibility (bendable, foldable, or conformable designs)
- Durability (resistance to wear, weather, handling, and operational stress)
- Ease of manufacture (scalable production with consistent quality at lower cost)
Does DARPA want projects that address tradeoffs in portable solar designs?
Yes. The solicitation explicitly points to the tradeoffs that often limit portable solar performance, such as lightweight flexible materials that may be less durable, and high-efficiency technologies that may be expensive or difficult to fabricate. Proposals are expected to credibly address these kinds of tradeoffs in ways aligned with PoP objectives.
Is DARPA open to different photovoltaic materials and architectures?
Yes. The wording indicates DARPA is open to a range of photovoltaic materials, device architectures, packaging methods, and manufacturing processes, as long as they credibly support improvements in efficiency, portability, flexibility, durability, and low-cost manufacturability for field use.
What type of activity does this opportunity fund?
This opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and is associated with science and technology and other research and development activities.
What funding instruments might DARPA use for PoP?
The listed funding instrument types include cooperative agreements, grants, other transactions, and procurement contracts. This indicates DARPA intended to use more than one mechanism depending on the work proposed and the level of government involvement anticipated.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost-sharing or matching requirement is stated in the information provided, which reduces barriers for organizations that may not be able to contribute significant non-federal funds.
What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The opportunity is identified under CFDA number 12.910, titled Research and Technology Development, which is commonly used for Department of Defense R&D assistance activities.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is broadly open to any type of applicant entity, subject to additional limits or clarifications that would appear in the full BAA. The description notes that, in practice, applicants may include universities, small businesses, large businesses, nonprofits, and other research organizations, provided they comply with the full solicitation terms and conditions.
When was the opportunity posted?
The solicitation was posted on April 22, 2009.
What were the closing and archive dates?
The original and current closing date is listed as April 21, 2010, and the archive date is May 21, 2010. Based on these dates, it was a time-limited solicitation and is no longer open.
Where are the full requirements and instructions defined?
The official source for detailed requirements is the attached Broad Agency Announcement, DARPA BAA 09-45. That document would typically include the technical areas of interest, proposal structure, evaluation criteria, submission instructions, and any security, export control, intellectual property, or reporting expectations.
Who should be contacted for access issues or administrative questions?
The notice provides a contact route through the BAA administrator via the email address: DARPA-BAA-09-45@darpa.mil.
Is this opportunity focused on prototypes or earlier-stage research?
Based on the description, DARPA is seeking innovative research and development that can produce concepts and prototypes, with a strong emphasis on practical field use and manufacturability at low cost.
What does "portable and field-use applications" imply in this context?
It implies photovoltaic power solutions designed to be carried and deployed by individuals or small teams and used in demanding environments, where ease of transport, rapid deployment, durability, and reliable operation matter alongside conversion efficiency.
Does the provided information specify exact performance thresholds (efficiency, weight, cost, etc.)?
No. The provided summary describes prioritized characteristics and objectives but does not list numeric thresholds. Any specific targets would typically be found in the full BAA.
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