Frosty
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative approaches for its "Frosty" program, aiming to develop new sensing modes in the Arctic environment. This Solicitation seeks advanced radar signal processing algorithms and analysis to detect and track low-flying air vehicles and slow-moving maritime vessels. Awards will be made via Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) for Prototypes. Abstracts are due January 30, 2026, by 4:00 PM ET.
Purpose & Scope
DARPA's Frosty program focuses on developing technology to achieve reliable long-range sensing in the challenging Arctic radio frequency (RF) environment. The core objective is to create innovative radar signal processing algorithms and analysis approaches that leverage noise-like waveforms resulting from ionospheric propagation. This will enable improved detection and tracking capabilities for targets in the Arctic.
Key Requirements & Deliverables
Proposers are expected to develop advanced processing techniques to utilize noise-like waveforms for target detection and tracking, providing an end-to-end solution from raw baseband receiver samples to target tracks. This includes creating a Frosty processing software suite and a conceptual design for a prototype with hardware processing capabilities. Performer input on experiment design, array layout, and signal processing algorithms is encouraged. Phase 1 will focus on controlled man-made sources while exploring ambient endogenous illumination. Testing will primarily occur in Central/Northern Alaska, including Point Barrow and Poker Flat Research Range, with Phase 1 metrics including a minimum detection range of 75 km, a probability of detection greater than 90%, and tracking capabilities.
Contract Details
Multiple awards are anticipated under Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) for Prototypes (10 U.S.C. § 4022). The estimated funding level for Phase 1 awards ranges from $1,000,000 to $3,000,000 per award, with a performance period of 18 months. The total program duration is 33 months, with Phase 2 to be solicited separately. This opportunity encourages submissions from all responsible sources, including large and small businesses, and nontraditional defense contractors. University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and U.S. government entities are prohibited from proposing as performers.
Submission & Evaluation
Abstracts are due January 30, 2026, by 4:00 PM ET. A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate for the proposed Phase 1 effort must be included on the title page of the abstract, which does not count towards the five-page limit. Cost proposals are not required with the abstract submission. Oral presentations will be requested by the Government approximately 4-5 weeks after abstract submission. Evaluation will be based on Technical Comprehension, Technical Ability, and Concept. Offerors must have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and be registered in SAM and WAWF.
Additional Notes
Clarifications indicate that the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program (HAARP) transmitter is coordinated for use, operating from 2.7 to 10MHz with conventional linear frequency modulated waveforms. Element-level I/Q baseband data will be provided, and performers will be responsible for beamforming. Oblique ionospheric sounding data and environmental context data are expected to be available.