FY2025-2034 DTRA Chemical and Biological Technologies Fundamental Research Broad Agency Announcement
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 Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for FY2025-2034 Chemical and Biological Technologies Fundamental Research. This BAA seeks innovative research and STEM education programs to Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (C-WMD) threats. Awards will primarily be grants, with cooperative agreements (CAs) or other transactions (OTs) also possible; no contracts will be awarded. The BAA is open continuously from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2034.
Purpose & Scope
DTRA aims to identify, adopt, and adapt emerging, existing, and revolutionary sciences with high payoff potential for C-WMD. This includes fundamental research in chemical and biological defense, advancing knowledge in physical and life sciences to develop improved detection devices, diagnostics, medical/material countermeasures, personal protection, and elimination strategies for WMD agents. A portion of the effort will also support STEM education programs with a C-WMD focus, such as postdoctoral fellowships, stipends, and curriculum development. Research should fall within Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) 1-4. Submissions can address specific topics detailed in Attachment 1 or general thrust areas, such as Thrust Area 1: Fundamental Science for Chemical and Biological Defense.
Submission & Evaluation
Submissions are processed in two phases:
- Phase I: Receipt and evaluation of pre-application white papers. Generally, pre-coordination of an abstract with a Technical POC is required, but this requirement is waived for specific topics B1-B6.
- Phase II: Receipt and evaluation of invited proposal applications, based on Phase I results. Evaluation criteria for full proposals include Scientific and Technical Merit, Value to Mission Goals, Capability of Personnel and Facilities, and Cost Realism. Submissions must be made electronically via grants.gov.
Contract Details
- Type: Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for grants, cooperative agreements, or other transactions. No contracts.
- Duration: Open continuously from October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2034. Individual awards may be up to five years.
- Anticipated Awards: Approximately thirty individual awards annually, with grant values ranging from $25,000 to $1,000,000 annually.
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- Product Service Code: AC31 - National Defense R&D Services; Defense Related Activities; Basic Research.
Eligibility
Eligible entities include accredited degree-granting colleges, universities, academic institutions, industrial and commercial entities (including small businesses), not-for-profit entities, and foreign government laboratories. Federal academic organizations and laboratories may collaborate but not act as prime awardees. University participation is encouraged and may be mandatory for some topics.
Key Updates & Deadlines
- Amendment 3 (latest update) confirms the availability of Topics B1-B6 in Attachment 1.
- The deadline for pre-application white papers for Topics B1-B6 is March 2, 2026, at 11:59 PM EST. Pre-coordination of abstracts is waived for these specific topics.
- Submissions to general thrust areas may occur at any time during the BAA's open period (through September 30, 2034), but generally require pre-coordination.