Compositional Learning-And-Reasoning for AI Complex Systems Engineering (CLARA)

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 1 to DARPA-PA-25-07-02, "Compositional Learning-And-Reasoning for AI Complex Systems Engineering (CLARA)." It serves to provide further details and clarifications on the Disruption Opportunity (DO) previously issued under Program Announcement for Disruptioneering, DARPA-PA-25-07.

• The amendment provides additional information and context regarding the CLARA program's objectives, technical areas, structure, and potential application domains.

• It clarifies the scope of work for Technical Area 1 (TA1) performers, focusing on developing high assurance ML/AR approaches, and for Technical Area 2 (TA2) performers, focusing on developing a software composition library.

• Details on program-wide activities, deliverables, collaboration, intellectual property, potential reasoning and machine learning kinds, award information, eligibility, and submission instructions are further elaborated.

• The amendment does not appear to alter the proposal due date or submission requirements, which remain as previously stated in the original solicitation.

• It provides more comprehensive guidance for proposers to understand the program's technical and programmatic expectations.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment to DARPA-PA-25-07-02 (CLARA DO) introduces the following changes:

• Clarifies the distinction between Bayesian Logic Programs for automated reasoning versus machine learning (Page 15).
• Updates eligibility criteria and provides specific instructions for FFRDC/UARC/Government Entity proposers.
• Extends the proposal due date to April 17, 2026.
• Extends the target award date to June 16, 2026.
• Extends the anticipated program start date to June 22, 2026.

Specific pages are referenced for each change, including page 15 for technical clarification, page 16 for eligibility and award dates, and page 19 for the proposal due date. Page 12 is also referenced for the program start date.

Key deadlines have been extended: the proposal due date is now April 17, 2026. The target award date is now June 16, 2026, and the anticipated program start date is now June 22, 2026. Eligibility instructions for specific entity types have also been updated.

Solicitation

This Disruption Opportunity (DO) from DARPA's Defense Sciences Office (DSO) invites innovative basic or applied research concepts for high assurance artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The program, "Compositional Learning-And-Reasoning for AI Complex Systems Engineering (CLARA)," aims to create a scientific, theory-driven architectural foundation for hierarchically composing diverse Machine Learning (ML) and Automated Reasoning (AR) subsystems. The goal is to achieve high assurance, broad applicability, reusability, and computational scalability in AI systems of systems, with assurance defined by verifiability, strong explainability, and automated logical proofs.

• Technical Area 1 (TA1): Develop one or more new approaches for high assurance ML/AR (AR-based ML). This includes developing theory, algorithms, creating open-source software, demonstrating enhancements, and tackling AR-based ML training for large problems. Key aspects include ensuring models are adaptable to new data and can be manually updated.

• Technical Area 2 (TA2): Develop a software composition library to support inter-approach compositions, integrating validated TA1 tools. This involves creating common structures, terminology, data formats, and interfaces. TA2 performers will work closely with the IV&V team.

• Program-Wide Activities: Participation in Phase Kickoff Meetings, Workshops, and Hackathons is expected.

• Awards will be made as Other Transactions (OT) for Prototype projects.

• Total award value for combined Phase 1 (Feasibility Study) and Phase 2 (Proof of Concept) is limited to $2,000,000.

• Phase 1 period of performance: 15 months (up to $1,350,000).

• Phase 2 period of performance: 9 months (up to $850,000).

• Combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 must not exceed 24 months.

• Proposals must address either TA1 or TA2; an organization cannot be selected for both.

• An Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) team will be separately competed.

• Submissions are due by April 10, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. ET.

• Evaluation will be based on criteria outlined in Section 6 of DARPA-PA-25-07.

• DARPA encourages solutions from all responsible sources.

• Prohibitions apply to concurrent provision of SETA, A&AS, or similar services by technical performers, with waivers possible.

• UARCs and FFRDCs are highly discouraged from proposing unless by exception.

• Software developed is expected to be open-sourced with a commercialization-friendly license (e.g., Apache 2.0).

• Performers must select at least one kind of AR (e.g., Logic Programs, Classical Logic, Answer Set Programs) and one kind of ML (e.g., Bayesian, Neural Networks, Reinforcement Learning).

• Excluded AR families include unrestricted higher-order Classical logic.

• An abstract phase is included, with abstracts strongly encouraged but not required.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a cost buildup workbook, likely used for developing and submitting cost proposals. It provides a structured template for bidders to detail their proposed costs, including labor, subcontracts, and other direct costs, across different fiscal years and contract phases (Base, Options).

• Labor Costs: Includes direct labor hours, rates, and costs, with breakdowns for fringe benefits, labor overhead, and G&A.
• Indirect Costs: Categories for overhead, G&A, and Cost of Money are included.
• Other Costs: Sections for subcontract costs, consultant costs, equipment, travel, and other direct costs (ODCs).
• Fee/Profit: A section for fixed fee or profit calculation.
• Fiscal Year Breakdown: Allows for cost projection across multiple fiscal years and contract options.
• Constants and Definitions: Provides lists of allowable business types, labor categories, indirect rate categories, SBIR/STTR phases, and small business size standards.
• Instructions: Detailed guidance is provided within various sheets (e.g., Total Amount, Equipment, Travel) on how to complete the cost proposal, including specific formatting, required information, and justification for expenses.

This workbook is critical for bidders to accurately and comprehensively detail their proposed costs. It guides the structure of the cost proposal, ensuring all relevant cost elements are considered and presented in a standardized format. Adhering to the instructions and categories within this workbook is essential for a compliant and well-supported cost submission.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a cost buildup workbook, likely used for developing and submitting cost proposals. It provides a structured template for detailing various cost components, including labor, fringe benefits, overhead, G&A, and other direct costs, across multiple fiscal years and contract options.

• Labor Rates: Defines labor categories, associated rates, and escalation.
• Indirect Rates: Lists categories such as Fringe, Overhead, G&A, and F&A, with associated rates.
• Cost Breakdown: Includes sections for Direct Labor, Subcontract Costs, Consultant Costs, Other Direct Costs (Equipment, Travel), Material Handling, G&A, Cost of Money, and Fee/Profit.
• Fiscal Year Structure: Allows for cost breakdown across multiple fiscal years and contract options (Base, Op1, Op2, etc.).
• Constants: Defines business types, labor groups, indirect rate categories, SBIR/STTR phases, and small business size standards.
• Milestones and Payments: Outlines project milestones, exit criteria, due dates, and associated payments.
• Equipment and Travel: Provides templates for detailing proposed equipment purchases and travel expenses, including justifications and cost breakdowns.

This workbook is critical for bidders to accurately estimate and present their proposed costs in a format acceptable to the government. It guides the detailed breakdown of all anticipated expenses, ensuring compliance with cost principles and providing transparency in the cost proposal. Bidders must use this template to detail their pricing strategy, including labor categories, indirect cost application, and any proposed equipment or travel, aligning with the opportunity's requirements and the government's cost accounting standards.

Other / Unclassified

This document outlines a standard clause for an Associate Contractor Agreement, intended to facilitate the open exchange of information between multiple contractors working on a government research effort. It details the responsibilities of contractors in coordinating and integrating their work to prevent duplication and ensure compatibility.

Bidders should note the following key aspects:

• Information Exchange: The clause emphasizes the need for a free and open information network among all government-identified associate contractors. This implies that collaboration and communication will be critical for success.
• Proprietary Data Handling: Contractors may receive proprietary or confidential data from other associate contractors. The clause specifies that such data must be used solely for the research effort, protected according to the receiving contractor's own confidentiality standards, and retained in confidence.
• Cooperation Requirements: Contractors are required to:
  • Maintain a close working relationship and liaison.
  • Establish a free and open information network.
  • Delineate detailed interface responsibilities.
  • Enter into a written agreement with other associate contractors regarding these procedures and provide a copy to the Contracting Officer.
  • Exchange proprietary information as necessary for performance, subject to any existing agreements.
• Dispute Resolution: If associate contractors cannot agree on interface matters, the Government Program Manager will intervene to determine corrective action.
• Subcontracting: The clause must be included in all subcontracts that involve access to associate contractor proprietary information.
• Identification of Associate Contractors: The document includes a placeholder for listing the names and technical areas of other Associate Contractors involved in the research effort. This information is crucial for understanding the collaborative landscape.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a mandatory abstract template for submissions to the DARPA-PA-25-07-02 Disruption Opportunity. It outlines the required format and content for abstract submissions.

• Format: Must be submitted in PDF or Microsoft Word. Written in English, formatted for 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins and a minimum 12-point font size (8 or 10-point for figures, tables, charts).
• Length: Maximum of 2 pages (1 cover sheet + 1 technical description).
• Cover Sheet: Requires Prime Organization Logo, Abstract Summary Title, Proposer Organization, Technical Point of Contact (Name, Address, Phone, Email), and Administrative Point of Contact (Name, Address, Phone, Email).
• Technical Description: Requires concise answers to specific questions based on the Heilmeier Catechism, focusing on what the proposed work aims to accomplish, the current state of the art and its limitations, and the novelty and technical basis of the proposed approach.

This template is essential for any organization intending to submit an abstract for this opportunity. Bidders must adhere strictly to its formatting, content, and length requirements to ensure their submission is considered.