Opportunity Information: Apply for BAA08 02
Apply for BAA08 02
- The Office of Procurement Operations Grants Division in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Rapid Technology Application Program (RTAP) Communications Maritime Safety" and is now available to receive applicants.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jan 4, 2008 and posted on Nov 14, 2007.
- Applicants must submit their applications by The due date and time established for the receipt of White Papers and Full Proposals are as indicated in Section IV, Paragraph 3 of the BAA.. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The funding agency has allocated a total of $4,000,000.00 to eligible and selected applicants.
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $2,000,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 2 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities County governments Individuals Small businesses Special district governments State governments City or township governments Public and State controlled institutions of higher education For profit organizations other than small businesses Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education Independent school districts Private institutions of higher education.
- This BAA is open to ALL responsible sources. Foreign or foreign owned Offerors are advised that their participation is subject to foreign disclosure review procedures and DHS security directives and policies. Offerors may include single entities or teams from private sector organizations, Government laboratories, airport authorities, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories and Centers,and academic institutions. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including the Department of Energy National Laboratories and Centers, are eligible to respond to this BAA, individually or as a team member of an eligible principal Offeror, as so long as they are permitted to respond to solicitations such as this under the applicable sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU), Minority Institutions (MI), Small Business concerns, Small Disadvantaged Business concerns, Women Owned Small Business concerns, Veteran Owned Small Business concerns, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business concerns, and HUBZone Small Business concerns are encouraged to submit proposals and to join other entities as team members in submitting proposals. However, no portion of this BAA will be set aside pursuant to FAR Part 19.502 2. Independent organizations and teams are encouraged to submit proposals. However, Offerors must be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data and other information in an integrated program with other contractors, as well as with system integrators, selected by DHS ST.
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Opportunity Summary:
The Rapid Technology Application Program (RTAP) - Communications and Maritime Safety opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number BAA08-02) is a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) issued as a combined synopsis/solicitation. Its purpose is to quickly turn urgent, real-world needs from emergency responders and internal DHS customers into working technology prototypes. The program is built around fast development cycles, with DHS aiming to produce advanced prototype capabilities roughly 6 to 18 months after contract award, rather than funding long, open-ended research.
The BAA is focused on two specific rapid prototyping areas. The first is Communications: Satellite Blue Force Tracking (BFT), which generally refers to technologies that allow responders or operational units to know the location and status of friendly personnel and assets, especially when terrestrial communications are limited or unavailable. The second topic is Maritime Safety: Passenger Ship Mass Evacuation System, targeting solutions that improve the ability to evacuate large numbers of people from passenger vessels efficiently and safely during emergencies. DHS is soliciting submissions in the form of white papers and, depending on the BAA process, full proposals that describe a proposed prototype approach, how it meets operational needs, and how it can be delivered within the program's rapid timeline.
The government anticipates making about two awards, with an estimated total funding level of about $4,000,000 and an award ceiling of $2,000,000 per award. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement stated for this opportunity, which can reduce barriers for applicants proposing prototype builds and demonstrations. The activity category is science and technology and other research and development, but the clear emphasis is on applied development and prototyping rather than basic research.
A notable feature of RTAP is flexibility in award instruments. DHS may make awards as procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transaction (OT) agreements. That mix signals that DHS is trying to choose the most appropriate legal and contracting mechanism depending on the nature of each effort, the maturity of the proposed technology, and how the prototype will be developed and evaluated. Applicants should be prepared for a more integrated, program-style environment, since offerors must be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data, and related information with other contractors and with system integrators selected by DHS S&T.
Eligibility is broad and described as open to all responsible sources. That includes private sector organizations (small businesses and larger for-profit entities), nonprofits, state and local governments, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities, individuals, academic institutions (public and private), government laboratories, airport authorities, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy national labs and centers, as allowed under their sponsoring agreements. While there is encouragement for participation by HBCUs, minority institutions, and various small business categories (including women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and HUBZone firms), the BAA is not set aside under FAR Part 19, meaning it is competed openly rather than reserved for small businesses. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors may participate, but they should expect additional scrutiny through foreign disclosure review procedures and DHS security directives and policies.
Key administrative details include the posted date (November 14, 2007), a creation date (January 4, 2008), and an archive date (January 5, 2008). The actual deadlines for white papers and full proposals are not listed in the summary text and instead are specified in Section IV, Paragraph 3 of the BAA itself, so anyone interested would need to consult the full announcement to confirm submission windows and formatting requirements. The full BAA was made available through FedBizOpps (as referenced in the notice) and was also posted to the HSARPA BAA site at www.hsarpabaa.com.
For questions, DHS directed offerors to submit inquiries to the BAA email address BAA08-02@dhs.gov. The point of contact listed for access issues was Linda Mulligan, Team Lead/Contracting Officer, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations, Science and Technology Acquisitions. Overall, the opportunity is best read as a fast-moving prototype development solicitation aimed at delivering usable, field-relevant capabilities in satellite-enabled blue force tracking and passenger-ship mass evacuation, with relatively large prototype-scale funding, broad eligibility, and expectations of collaboration and integration across performers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is this funding opportunity?
This opportunity is the Rapid Technology Application Program (RTAP) - Communications and Maritime Safety, Funding Opportunity Number BAA08-02. It is issued by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology (S&T) Directorate as a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) released as a combined synopsis/solicitation.
What is the purpose of RTAP under this BAA?
The purpose is to rapidly turn urgent, real-world needs from emergency responders and internal DHS customers into working technology prototypes. The emphasis is on applied development and rapid prototyping rather than long, open-ended research.
How quickly does DHS expect prototypes to be delivered?
DHS aims to produce advanced prototype capabilities roughly 6 to 18 months after contract award, reflecting the program's fast development cycle focus.
What are the technical topics being solicited?
The BAA focuses on two rapid prototyping areas: (1) Communications: Satellite Blue Force Tracking (BFT) and (2) Maritime Safety: Passenger Ship Mass Evacuation System.
What does "Communications: Satellite Blue Force Tracking (BFT)" mean in this BAA?
In this context, Satellite BFT generally refers to technologies that allow responders or operational units to know the location and status of friendly personnel and assets, particularly when terrestrial communications are limited or unavailable.
What is the "Maritime Safety: Passenger Ship Mass Evacuation System" topic about?
This topic targets solutions that improve the ability to evacuate large numbers of people from passenger vessels efficiently and safely during emergencies.
What types of submissions is DHS requesting?
DHS is soliciting submissions in the form of white papers and, depending on the BAA process, full proposals. Submissions should describe the proposed prototype approach, how it meets operational needs, and how it can be delivered within RTAP's rapid timeline.
How many awards does the government anticipate making?
The government anticipates making about two awards under this opportunity.
How much funding is available?
The estimated total funding level is about $4,000,000, with an award ceiling of $2,000,000 per award.
Is cost sharing or matching required?
No cost sharing or matching requirement is stated for this opportunity.
What is the activity category for this solicitation?
The activity category is science and technology and other research and development, with a clear emphasis on applied development and prototyping.
What types of award instruments might DHS use?
DHS may make awards as procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or other transaction (OT) agreements. The specific instrument may vary depending on the nature of the proposed effort, technology maturity, and how the prototype will be developed and evaluated.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and described as open to all responsible sources. This includes private sector organizations (small businesses and larger for-profit entities), nonprofits, state and local governments, tribal governments and tribal organizations, public housing authorities, individuals, academic institutions (public and private), government laboratories, airport authorities, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy national labs and centers (as allowed under their sponsoring agreements).
Is this opportunity set aside for small businesses?
No. While participation is encouraged from various small business categories (including women-owned, veteran-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned, and HUBZone firms), the BAA is not set aside under FAR Part 19 and is competed openly.
Are HBCUs and minority institutions encouraged to participate?
Yes. The BAA encourages participation by HBCUs and minority institutions, along with various small business categories.
Can foreign or foreign-owned organizations submit?
Yes. Foreign or foreign-owned offerors may participate, but they should expect additional scrutiny through foreign disclosure review procedures and DHS security directives and policies.
Are there collaboration or information-sharing expectations for performers?
Yes. Offerors must be willing to cooperate and exchange software, data, and related information with other contractors and with system integrators selected by DHS S&T.
Where can applicants find the submission deadlines?
The summary text does not list the deadlines for white papers and full proposals. Deadlines are specified in Section IV, Paragraph 3 of the BAA itself, so interested parties need to consult the full announcement to confirm submission windows and formatting requirements.
When was this opportunity posted, created, and archived?
Key dates listed are: posted date November 14, 2007; creation date January 4, 2008; and archive date January 5, 2008.
Where was the full BAA made available?
The full BAA was made available through FedBizOpps (as referenced in the notice) and was also posted to the HSARPA BAA site at www.hsarpabaa.com.
How do applicants submit questions about the BAA?
DHS directed offerors to submit inquiries to the BAA email address: BAA08-02@dhs.gov.
Who is the point of contact for access issues?
The point of contact listed for access issues is Linda Mulligan, Team Lead/Contracting Officer, Department of Homeland Security, Office of Procurement Operations, Science and Technology Acquisitions.
What is the overall intent of this solicitation in practical terms?
Overall, it is a fast-moving prototype development solicitation aimed at delivering usable, field-relevant capabilities in satellite-enabled blue force tracking and passenger-ship mass evacuation, with prototype-scale funding, broad eligibility, and expectations of collaboration and integration across performers.
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