TTO Office Wide (OW) BAA 2025

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document serves as a mandatory template for proposal submissions, providing instructions and required formats for specific proposal volumes. It ensures all proposals meet the necessary structural and content requirements for review.

• Mandatory Template: Proposers must use this template for their submissions.
• Required Attachments: Attachments B, C, D, and E must be included.
• Formatting Requirements: Submissions must be in English, formatted for 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins, and use a font size no smaller than 12-point (exceptions for figures, tables, charts).
• Conciseness: Proposals should be concise and descriptive, favoring specific examples over generalities.
• Page Limits: Technical and Management Volumes shall not exceed 25 pages. Specific sections are excluded from this limit (e.g., Cover Sheet, Table of Contents, Resumes).
• Submission Instructions: Proposals must be submitted via the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) by the due date and time specified in the Overview Information section.
• Cover Sheet: Includes fields for Proposal Title, Proposer Organization, POCs (Technical and Administrative), Award Instrument, Place/Period of Performance, Estimated Total Cost, Affirmations, SAM.gov UEI, TIN, CAGE code, DCMA/DCAA office information, Date Prepared, and Proposal Validity Period.
• Table of Contents: Outlines the structure of the proposal, including sections like Proposal Summary, Goals and Impact, Technical Plan, Management Plan, Personnel, Capabilities, Statement of Work, Schedule, Representations and Certifications, and Intellectual Property.
• Specific Volume Instructions: Detailed guidance is provided for each section, including what information to include in the Proposal Summary, Goals and Impact, Technical Plan, Management Plan, Personnel Qualifications, Government Entity/FFRDC requirements, Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) disclosures, Capabilities, Statement of Work (SOW), Schedule and Milestones, Novelty of Proposed Work, Bibliography, Representations and Certifications, and Intellectual Property (IP).

This document is critical for bidders as it dictates the mandatory structure, content, formatting, and submission process for their proposals. Adherence to these instructions is essential for a proposal to be considered for review. It provides a clear roadmap for preparing all required proposal volumes and ensures all necessary information is included.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides detailed instructions and procedures for submitting classified information as part of a proposal. It outlines requirements for handling, transmitting, and marking classified data, including Confidential, Secret, Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), and Special Access Program (SAP) information.

• Submission Channels: Classified submissions should NOT be made through the DARPA BAA Website or Grants.gov. Proposers must register on the BAA website and may need to contact the BAA Coordinator for instructions.
• Security Requirements: Proposers must possess or obtain approved facilities, information systems, and cleared personnel. Personnel performing Information Assurance (IA)/Cybersecurity duties must meet DoD Manual 8570.01-M requirements.
• Third-Party Classified Data: Permission from the originating Government agency is required to submit classified information from other sources. The proposal must be marked according to the source Security Classification Guide (SCG), and the SCG must be submitted with the proposal.
• Physical Submission: For hard copies, submit three (3) hard copies and two (2) CD-ROMs (searchable Adobe PDF) of the classified portion. Clearly label each copy.
• Transmission Methods:
  • Confidential/Secret: Hand-carry by cleared courier to DARPA Classified Document Registry (CDR) (coordinate via 703-526-4050) OR mail via USPS Registered Mail or Express Mail using double-wrapped envelopes.
  • Top Secret: Must be hand-carried by a cleared courier to DARPA CDR (coordinate via 703-526-4050).
  • SCI: Must be marked, managed, and transmitted per DoDM 5105.21. Unclassified questions can be directed to the DARPA PSO or SSO (703-812-1970).
  • SAP: Must be marked per DoDM 5205.07 Volume 4 and transmitted via approved methods provided by the TTO PSO. Written permission from the source SAPCO is required for non-DARPA SAP information.
• SAP IT Systems: Proposals with SAP information must use a SAP IT system with an Approval-to-Operate (ATO) from the DARPA Technology Office PSO or other applicable DARPA SAP IT Authorizing Official. Use of the DARPA SAP enterprise system, SAVANNAH, does not require CIO approval.
• Combined Submissions: If a proposal has both classified and unclassified portions, send an unclassified email notification to HR001125S0011@darpa.mil. Submit the unclassified portion via the DARPA BAA Website and the classified portion separately per these instructions.

This document is critical for any bidder intending to submit classified information. It details the specific security clearances, facilities, and transmission methods required. Failure to comply with these instructions may result in a non-compliant submission. Bidders must carefully review these procedures to ensure their proposal is submitted correctly and securely.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Tactical Technology Office (TTO), solicits innovative executive summaries and proposals for research and development. The goal is to make pivotal early technology investments that create or prevent technological surprise, focusing on revolutionary advances rather than evolutionary improvements.

The BAA outlines four focus areas for proposed research:

• Design/Build/Buy: Innovative design approaches for new defense systems, reimagining engineering processes, testing, certification, and accreditation.
• Surge and Sustain: Technologies to rapidly replenish and maintain existing military systems during conflict, focusing on manufacturable, lower-cost systems and supply chain revitalization.
• Long Range Effects: Systems and approaches enabling decisive military effects at distances, countering anti-access and area-denial (A2/AD) strategies.
• Disruptive Innovation: Rapidly fielding novel approaches that disrupt the battlefield, such as low-cost autonomous systems or new sensing modalities.

Submissions are encouraged to address at least one focus area.

• Award Instruments: Procurement Contracts, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and Other Transactions.

• Funding Opportunity Number: HR001125S0011

• NAICS Code: 541715

• Proposers Day: October 1-2, 2025

• Executive Summary Due Date: April 17, 2026, 4:00 PM ET

• Question Submittal Closed: April 17, 2026, 4:00 PM ET

• Proposal Due Date: June 22, 2026, 4:00 PM ET

• Evaluation Criteria (in descending order of importance):

  1. Overall Scientific and Technical Merit
  2. Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission
  3. Cost Realism

• All responsible sources (U.S. and non-U.S.) are encouraged to submit proposals.

• Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, and Minority Institutions are encouraged, but no portion is set aside.

• Indirect cost rate cap of 15% for new financial assistance awards to Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs).

• Submissions must be non-conforming to avoid rejection.

• DARPA discourages undue emphasis on cost to motivate low-risk ideas.

• Information on submission methods, general terms and conditions, and specific award instrument types can be found via provided links.

• Attachments A-E provide instructions for Executive Summaries, Full Proposals, and classified submissions.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is the DARPA Standard Cost Proposal Spreadsheet (version 1.06.04), designed to assist government personnel in reviewing and evaluating cost proposals. It is to be used for all award instruments (grant, cooperative agreement, contract, other transaction, or technology investment agreement).

• General Tab: Contains fields for proposer name, CAGE code, solicitation number, and proposal ID. It outlines the purpose of the spreadsheet and emphasizes the proposer's responsibility for providing adequate supporting data and proving cost reasonableness.
• Instructions Tab: Provides detailed guidance on how to use the spreadsheet, including instructions for filling out yellow cells, not deleting tabs/rows/columns, and adding new lines.
• Constants Tab: Defines business types, labor groups, labor categories, and indirect rate categories.
• Proposer Constants Tab: Allows input for the organization's business type, accounting periods, and fiscal year dates.
• Labor Rates Tab: For entering labor categories, their associated DARPA labor groups/categories, and hourly rates across fiscal years.
• Indirect Rates and Profit_Fee Tab: For listing indirect rates (Fringe, Overhead, G&A, F&A) and profit/fee rates per fiscal year.
• Cost Detail Tabs (Base, Options I-V, Task Tabs): Used for entering detailed cost breakdowns by task, base period, and option periods.
• Total Amount Tab: Automatically calculates the total cost based on data entered in other tabs.
• Supporting Tabs: Includes sections for Subcontractor costs, Consultant costs, Materials/Supplies, Equipment, Travel, Other Direct Costs (ODCs), Animal-Related Costs, Human Subjects Research Costs, Expenditures by Month, and Milestones/Deliverables.

This spreadsheet is a mandatory tool for submitting cost proposals. Bidders must accurately complete all relevant sections, ensuring all costs are supported and reasonable. Specific instructions on data entry, rate application, and documentation requirements are provided within the spreadsheet and should be followed meticulously to ensure a compliant and well-supported cost proposal.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "Attachment C: Cost Proposal Instructions and Volume II Template," provides detailed instructions and a template for bidders to prepare their cost proposals. It specifies the required format, content, and submission guidelines for the cost volume, which must cover the full program (base plus options).

• Format: All pages must be 8-1/2 by 11-inch with 1-inch margins and a minimum 11-point font size. Submissions must be in English, with the Cost Volume in PDF or Microsoft Word, and spreadsheets in a separate file.
• Content: The Cost Volume must include a Cost Summary (by phase/base+options and fiscal year, broken down by major cost items) and detailed Cost Details (broken down by phase, fiscal year, month, and SOW task). Specific sections are required for Direct Labor, Indirect Costs, Materials, Equipment Purchases, Travel, Other Direct Costs (ODCs), Cost Sharing, Consultant Costs, and Subawardee Costs.
• Spreadsheet Requirement: Proposers must use the provided "Attachment D: MS ExcelTM DARPA Standard Cost Proposal Spreadsheet." This spreadsheet must be editable with intact formulas for traceability and used by both the prime and all subcontractors.
• Traceability: Costs must be traceable between the prime and sub-awardees, and between the cost volume and the Statement of Work (SOW), ensuring a consistent task structure.
• Subcontractor Proposals: The prime proposer is responsible for compiling and submitting all non-proprietary sub-awardee cost proposals. Proprietary proposals can be included in the Cost Volume or emailed separately to HR001125S0011@darpa.mil.
• Specific Requirements: For procurement contracts, certified cost or pricing data, a Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and approved Cost Accounting System Documentation (SF 1408) may be required. For Other Transactions, details on nontraditional defense contractors, teaming, cost share, and milestones are needed.

This attachment is critical for bidders to understand the precise requirements for developing and submitting their cost proposals. Adherence to the specified format, content, and the use of the provided spreadsheet template (Attachment D) is mandatory for a complete and compliant submission. Failure to follow these instructions may result in a proposal not being considered complete.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides instructions for submitting an executive summary as part of a proposal. It outlines the required format, content, and submission method.

• Format: Must be in narrative form, clearly marked "EXECUTIVE SUMMARY," and not exceed two pages.
• Content: Must include organization name, submission title, and technical POC information (email and mailing address).
• Technical Details: Proposers must address the innovation of their proposed system/subsystem, the scientific/technical basis for claims, and the impact on military mission capabilities.
• Formatting: Submissions must be in .pdf, .doc, or .docx formats, written in English, formatted for 8-1/2 by 11-inch paper with 1-inch margins, and use a font size no smaller than 12 point (8 or 10 point allowed for figures, tables, charts).
• Submission Method: Unclassified executive summaries must be submitted through the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) under "Unclassified Submission Instructions" in Proposer Instructions: General Terms and Conditions. Executive summaries will NOT be accepted via Grants.gov.

This document is critical for bidders as it details specific requirements for a key proposal component. Adhering to these instructions regarding content, format, and submission method is essential for a compliant and successful proposal. Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of the submission.