DARPA-PA-25-07.pdf

DARPA-PA-25-07

Program Announcement for

Disruptioneering

Defense Sciences Office (DSO)

September 30, 2025

Table of Contents

1. Overview Information

2. Funding Opportunity Description

3. Evaluation Criteria for Award

4. Award Information

5. Application and Submission Information

6 Review and Selection Process

7 Eligibility Information

8. Award Administration Information

9. Communications

10. Appendix A: Other Transactions (OT) Authority

ATTACHMENTS:

PROPOSAL TEMPLATE – SUMMARY SLIDE

PROPOSAL TEMPLATE – VOLUME 1: TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT

PROPOSAL TEMPLATE – VOLUME 2: PRICE

PROPOSAL TEMPLATE – VOLUME 3: ADMINISTRATIVE & NATIONAL POLICY

REQUIREMENTS

MODEL OTHER TRANSACTION (OT) FOR PROTOTYPE

TASK DESCRIPTION DOCUMENT TEMPLATE

1. Overview Information Federal Agency Name – Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Defense Sciences Office (DSO)

Funding Opportunity Title – Disruptioneering

Announcement Type – Initial Announcement

Funding Opportunity Number – DARPA-PA-25-07

NAICS Code: 541715; Small Business Size: 1000

Dates (all times listed herein are Eastern Time) o Posting Date: September 30, 2025 o PA Closing Date: September 29, 2026 o NOTE: Each Disruption Opportunity (DO) will identify the specific due date for submissions to that opportunity (see Section 2.2). Proposals cannot be submitted to this Program Announcement (PA).

Concise description of the funding opportunity: The Disruptioneering Program enables DARPA’s DSO to pursue rapid, focused exploratory investments as part of an overall balanced portfolio. DSO solicits these accelerated investments through targeted DOs released under the Disruptioneering PA.

Anticipated individual awards – Multiple awards are anticipated.

Types of instruments that may be awarded – Other Transactions (OT) for prototype agreements.

Any cost sharing requirements: Cost sharing may be required in certain situations for OTs for prototype projects awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

Agency email: Each DO will identify a specific email address.

2. Funding Opportunity Description

2.1 Introduction

The mission of the DARPA Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is to identify, investigate, and leverage nascent scientific advances for national security applications by pursuing high-risk, high-payoff research initiatives across a broad spectrum of science and engineering disciplines. Disruption Opportunity (DO) topics are issued to rapidly investigate new concepts with focused investments.

DOs enable DARPA to initiate a new investment for unclassified efforts in less than 120 calendar days from idea inception.1, 2

To enable this approach, DARPA will issue individual DOs under this solicitation. These opportunities will target specific technical domains important to DSO’s mission to pursue innovative research that leads to a prototype demonstration. More information about DSO’s technical domains and research topics of interest may be found at https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/dso.

2.2 DOs

DARPA will announce DOs via independent notices issued under this PA, DARPA-PA-25-07.

These DOs will solicit proposals and will be open for a maximum of 60 calendar days from publication at https://sam.gov/.3 DOs may request short abstracts prior to a proposal. Each DO will describe a rapid, focused project that comprises one or two phases as described below. The objective is to investigate high-risk, high-reward topics to determine feasibility and clarify whether the area is ready for increased investment. The prototype projects pursued under DOs may include, but are not limited to, proofs of concept; pilots; novel applications of commercial technologies for defense purposes; creation, design, development, demonstration of technical or operational utility;

or combinations of the foregoing related to a prototype. DARPA will evaluate and select proposals submitted in response to DOs in accordance with Section 6 of this PA.

Each DO will: (1) identify specific details regarding the research topic of interest, including the technical goals and metrics; and (2) provide content requirements and submission instructions in addition to those outlined in this PA, including the due date for submissions. Abstracts or proposals should never be submitted in response to this PA. Submissions to this PA may be disregarded.

Submissions should only be provided in response to a DO. See Section 5.3 for submission instructions.

2.3 DO Proposal Information and Structure

Proposals submitted in response to a DO must address all requested project phases. DOs will be issued as a one or two-phase effort – a Phase 1 base and a Phase 2 option (if included and awarded), and the periods of performance for the phase or phases will be specified in the DO. Each DO will address specific technical objectives, task descriptions, intellectual property rights, milestone payment schedules, and deliverables. In addition, each DO will require submission of a

1 For the purposes of this Program Announcement, “idea inception” is defined as the date an individual notice (Disruption Opportunity) is posted to https://sam.gov).

2 For classified DOs, DARPA will strive to complete all actions necessary to make an award in the fastest time possible, however additional requirements for classified efforts may extend award timelines.

3 Because DARPA is soliciting proposals for the award of Other Transactions (OTs) for Prototype, and OTs are not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), the 45-day response time required at FAR 5.203 does not apply.

https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/dso https://sam.gov/ streamlined cost buildup workbook, including a completed Schedule of Milestones and Payments, which is a tab in the workbook.

DOs will be UNCLASSIFIED and will specify whether classified proposals are permitted or expected. If classified submissions are permitted, the DO will include classified submission instructions.

If a proposal is selected for award, the Government reserves the right to award only Phase 1 or a combined Phase 1 and 2 effort. If a two-phase effort is contemplated, the Government may award Phase 2 contingent on the outcome of the Phase 1 effort and availability of funds. Due to the potential for awarding follow-on Phase 2 efforts, DARPA is requesting a proposal validity period of 365 calendar days.

DOs may include a total available budget for all awards, ceiling amounts for each individual award, and/or ceilings per phase. If the DO specifies ceiling amounts by phase or for the overall award, it applies to the sum of the Government’s funding and any performer cost share (if required or if proposed). If the proposed solution meets the statutory requirements for cost share, proposers must include a minimum of one-third cost share for each proposed phase in their proposal, in accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022 (d)(1)(C). All awards made as a result of a DO issued under this PA will be OTs for prototype projects awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

Proposers must propose an OT agreement with fixed payable milestones, which are fixed payments based on successful completion of the milestone accomplishments agreed to in the milestone plan.

Refer to the model OT provided as an attachment to this PA for additional information. Specific milestones will be based on the Research Project Objectives detailed in the DO.

The flexibility of the OT award instrument benefits the program because the performer can apply its best practices to undertake the research project that may be outside the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) process-driven requirements. DARPA will use streamlined practices, such as milestone-driven performance measures, to reduce time and effort on award administration tasks, allowing performers to focus on the research effort and rapid prototyping. OTs provide the Government and the proposer with flexibility to create an award instrument that contains terms and conditions that promote commercial transition, reduce some administratively burdensome acquisition regulations, and meet DARPA program goals.

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f), the Government may award a follow-on production contract or OT without any additional competition to any OT awarded under this PA if: (1) that participant in the OT or a recognized successor in interest to the OT successfully completed the entire prototype project provided for in the OT, as modified; and (2) the OT provides for the award of a follow-on production contract or OT to the participant or a recognized successor in interest to the OT.

Please see Appendix A and https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management for more information on OTs and DARPA’s OT authority.

3. Evaluation Criteria for Award DARPA will evaluate proposals using the following evaluation criteria, listed in descending order of importance.

https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management

3.1 Overall Scientific and Technical Merit

The proposed technical approach is innovative, feasible, achievable, and complete. Detailed technical rationale is provided, delineating why the proposed approach can achieve the program goals and metrics. The proposed technical team has the expertise and experience to accomplish the proposed tasks, and the proposal includes a plan to efficiently integrate technologies from proposed subcontractors, if any. Task descriptions and associated technical elements provided are completed and in a logical sequence, with all proposed deliverables clearly defined such that a final outcome that achieves the goal can be expected as a result of award. The proposal identifies major technical risks, and planned mitigation efforts are clearly defined and feasible.

3.2 Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission The potential contributions of the proposed effort bolster the defense technology base and support DARPA mission to create (and prevent) technological surprise for national security.

The proposal identifies and directly addresses the key technical challenges in achieving the program goals and metrics for the proposed approach. The proposed intellectual property restrictions (if any) will not significantly impact the Government’s ability to transition the technology.

3.3 Price

The proposed price represents a practical understanding of the effort and is based on meeting the key technical challenges in an efficient manner.

A price evaluation will be conducted to ensure that the proposed price is reasonable. As described in this PA, satisfactory price competition is anticipated to establish price reasonableness. If needed, the Government may use various price evaluation techniques and methodologies to ensure the proposed price is reasonable.

A price should be sufficiently detailed to demonstrate its reasonableness. The burden of demonstrating price reasonableness rests with the proposer. An assessment that the proposal price is not reasonable may result in the proposal not being selected for award.

4. Award Information

4.1 General Award Information

DARPA anticipates multiple awards. Resources available for each DO issued under DARPA-PA- 25-07 will depend on the quality of the proposals received and the availability of funds.

The Government reserves the right to select all, some, one, or none of the proposals received in response to a DO issued under this PA for negotiation. Additionally, the Government reserves the right to award all, some, one, or none of the portions of the agreements(s) after Phase 1, based on available funding and Phase 1 technical performance. The Government also reserves the right to communicate with proposers if it is later determined to be necessary. If warranted, portions of resulting awards may be segregated into prepriced portions. Additionally, DARPA reserves the right to accept proposals in their entirety or to select only portions of proposals for award. If DARPA desires to award only portions of a proposal, negotiations may be opened with that proposer. The Government reserves the right to fund proposals in phases with provisions for continued work, as applicable.

The Government reserves the right to request additional, necessary documentation to support the negotiation and award process. The Government reserves the right to remove a proposal from award consideration if the parties fail to reach an agreement on award terms, conditions, and price, and the proposer does not provide requested additional information promptly.

Because of the desire to streamline the award negotiation and program execution process, selected proposals will result in negotiation for a potential award of an OT for prototype project agreement under DARPA’s authority to award OTs for prototype projects, 10 U.S.C. § 4022. Use of an OT provides significant opportunities for flexible execution to assist in meeting DARPA’s aggressive DO program goals. This award authority also highly encourages and facilitates partnerships with nontraditional contractors and non-Government users to maximize future transition opportunities.

In all cases, the Government Agreements Officer will have sole discretion to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees. DARPA will apply publication or other restrictions, as necessary, if it determines that the research resulting from the proposed effort will present a high likelihood of disclosing performance characteristics of military systems or manufacturing technologies that are unique and critical to defense. Any award resulting from such a determination will include a requirement for DARPA’s permission before publishing any information or results on the program. For more information, see the section on Fundamental Research.

4.2 DARPA Fundamental Research Risk-Based Security Review Process Department of Defense (DoD) policy states that the publication of products of fundamental research will remain unrestricted to the maximum extent possible. National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 189 defines fundamental research as follows:

“Fundamental research” means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons.

As of the date of publication of this PA, the Government expects that program goals as described herein and in any resulting DOs may be met by proposed efforts for (1) fundamental research; (2) nonfundamental research; and/or (3) research that may present a high likelihood of disclosing performance characteristics of military systems or manufacturing technologies that are unique and critical to defense. Based on the anticipated type of proposer (e.g., university or industry) and the nature of the solicited work, the Government expects that some awards will include restrictions on the resultant research that will require the awardee to seek DARPA’s permission before publishing any information or results relative to the program.

DARPA’s Fundamental Research Risk-Based Security Review Process (FRRBS) is an adaptive risk management security program designed to help protect the critical technology and performer intellectual property associated with DARPA’s research projects by identifying the possible vectors of undue foreign influence. DARPA will create risk assessments of all proposed senior/key personnel selected for negotiation of a fundamental research OT award. The DARPA risk assessment process will be conducted separately from the DARPA scientific review process and adjudicated prior to final award. Proposer instructions have been updated on the DARPA landing page and can be found here: Proposer Instructions: Other Transactions | DARPA. Please note that DARPA is referencing this page for proposers to follow the instructions outlined in the DARPA Fundamental Research Risk-Based Security Reviews (FRRBS) instructions. The other terms and conditions contained within the provided link are not applicable to this solicitation.

Anyone submitting a proposal requesting a fundamental research OT must comply with the Fundamental Research Risk-Based Security Reviews (FRRBS) requirements as outlined.

5. Application and Submission Information

5.1 Abstracts

Prior to submitting a full proposal, proposers may be invited to first submit an abstract. This process allows a proposer to ascertain whether the proposed concept is applicable and technically relevant to the specific DO. If abstracts are requested, templates, preparation instructions, and submission information will be provided in the DO.

5.2 Proposal Preparation Instructions

Full proposal packages include:

SUMMARY SLIDE

VOLUME 1: TECHNICAL & MANAGEMENT

VOLUME 2: PRICE

VOLUME 3: ADMINISTRATIVE & NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS

Model OT for prototype (if edits are suggested) Additional DO attachments:

o DARPA Streamlined Cost Buildup Workbook (to include the completed Schedule of Milestones and Payments tab)

Proposals must also include the subcontractor cost proposals, and any other attachments required by the individual DO (e.g., DARPA Streamlined Cost Buildup Workbook).

5.3 Proposal Submission Information

Responses to all DOs shall be submitted through electronic upload. Proposers must submit all parts of their submission package using the same method.

DARPA will acknowledge receipt of complete submissions via email and assign identifying numbers that should be used in all further correspondence regarding those submissions. If confirmation is not received within two business days, please contact the email address listed in the specific DO to which the proposer is responding to verify receipt.

When planning a response to a DO, proposers should consider the submission time zone and that some parts of the submission process may take from one business day to one month to complete (e.g., registering for a SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number or Tax Identification Number (TIN); see Section 8.2.1 for information on obtaining a UEI and TIN).

5.3.1 Electronic Upload

DARPA/DSO encourages proposers to submit UNCLASSIFIED proposals via the DARPA Submission website at https://baa.darpa.mil/. NOTE: If an account has recently been created for the DARPA Submission website, this account may be reused. Accounts are typically disabled and https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-transactions https://baa.darpa.mil/ eventually deleted after 75-90 calendar days of inactivity. If you are unsure when the account was last used, it is recommended you create a new account. If no account currently exists for the DARPA Submission Website, visit the website to complete the two-step registration process.

Submitters will need to register for an Extranet account (via the form at the URL listed above) and wait for two separate emails containing a username and temporary password. The “Password Reset” option at the URL listed above can be used if the password is not received in a timely fashion. After accessing the Extranet, submitters may create an account for the DARPA Submission website (via the "Register your Organization" link along the left side of the homepage), view submission instructions, and upload/finalize the proposal.

Proposers who already have an account on the DARPA Submission website may simply log in at https://baa.darpa.mil/, select the appropriate DO from the list of open DARPA solicitations, and proceed with their proposal submission. Proposals submitted through this PA as opposed to the appropriate DO may be disregarded. NOTE: Proposers who have created a DARPA Submission website account to submit to another DARPA technical office’s solicitations do not need to create a new account to submit to this solicitation.

All unclassified proposals submitted electronically through DARPA’s Submission website must be uploaded as zip archives (i.e., files with a .zip or .zipx extension). The final zip archive should be no greater than 100 MB in size. Only one zip archive will be accepted per submission

– subsequent uploads for the same submission will overwrite previous uploads, and submissions not uploaded as zip archives will be rejected by DARPA.

Proposers using the DARPA Submission website may encounter heavy traffic on the submission deadline date; proposers should start this process as early as possible. Technical support for DARPA's BAA website may be reached at BAAT_Support@darpa.mil, and is typically available during regular business hours (9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time). Email questions regarding submission contents, format, deadlines, etc., to the specific email address listed in the DO the proposer is responding to. Questions/requests for support sent to any other email address may result in delayed/no response.

NOTE: When submitting a proposal via the DARPA Submission website, proposers MUST (1) click the “Finalize” button for the submission to upload; AND (2) do so with sufficient time for the upload to complete before the deadline. Failure to do so will result in a late submission.

5.4 Submission Deadlines

As applicable, proprietary subcontractor price proposals must be submitted per the instructions outlined herein and received by DARPA no later than the due date and time listed in the DO to which the proposal is submitted. Proposals and proposal modifications, unless requested by the Government Agreements Officer, received after the due date set forth in the DO will be considered late and may not be evaluated.

5.5 Proprietary Information

Proposers are responsible for clearly identifying proprietary information. Submissions containing proprietary information must have the cover page and each page containing such information clearly marked with a label such as “Proprietary.” NOTE: “Confidential” is a classification marking used to control the dissemination of U.S. Government National Security Information as dictated in Executive Order 13526 and should not be used to identify proprietary business https://baa.darpa.mil/ mailto:BAAT_Support@darpa.mil information.

5.6 Security Information

DARPA will only accept classified proposals submitted against DOs that state classified proposals are acceptable. In such cases, selected performers will be issued a DD Form 254, "DoD Contract Security Classification Specification." If the DO does not state that classified proposals are permitted, then DARPA will not issue a DD Form 254 to proposers selected for negotiation of award. See Section 8.2.2 for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) compliance requirements.

6 Review and Selection Process

6.1 Proposal Evaluation

It is the policy of DARPA to ensure impartial, equitable, comprehensive proposal evaluations based on the evaluation criteria listed above and to select the source (or sources) whose offer meets the Government's technical, policy, and programmatic goals.

DARPA will conduct a scientific and technical review of each conforming proposal. All proposal evaluations will be based solely on the evaluation criteria in Section 3: (1) Overall Scientific and Technical Merit, (2) Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission, and (3) Price.

Using the evaluation criteria, the Government will evaluate each proposal in its entirety, documenting the strengths and weaknesses relative to Overall Scientific and Technical Merit and Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission. Based on the identified strengths and weaknesses, combined with a price evaluation (which will determine whether the price is fair and reasonable), DARPA will determine whether a proposal is selectable. Proposals will not be evaluated against each other during the scientific review process, but rather evaluated on their own individual merit to determine how well the proposal meets the criteria stated in this PA.

An award will be made to a proposer(s) whose proposal is determined to be selectable by the Government and consistent with instructions and evaluation criteria specified in the PA herein.

Given the limited funding available for each DO, not all proposals considered selectable may receive an award and funding.

For the purposes of this proposal evaluation process, a selectable proposal is defined as follows:

Selectable: A selectable proposal is a proposal that has been evaluated by the Government against the evaluation criteria listed in the PA, and the positive aspects of the overall proposal outweigh its negative aspects. Additionally, there are no accumulated weaknesses that would require extensive negotiations and/or a resubmitted proposal.

For the purposes of this proposal evaluation process, a nonselectable proposal is defined as follows:

Nonselectable: A proposal is considered nonselectable when the proposal has been evaluated by the Government against the evaluation criteria listed in this announcement, and the positive aspects of the overall proposal do not outweigh its negative aspects. Additionally, there are accumulated weaknesses that would require extensive negotiations and/or a resubmitted proposal.

Regarding price evaluation, a price is based on satisfactory price competition if two or more responsible proposers, competing independently, submit priced offers that satisfy the Government’s expressed research requirement and if an award will be made to the proposer(s) whose proposal is considered selectable to the Government where price is a factor in selection, and there is no finding that the price of the otherwise selectable proposer(s) is unreasonable.

Conforming proposals: Conforming proposals contain all requirements detailed in this PA and the DO to which the proposal is submitted. Proposals that fail to include this information may be deemed nonconforming and may be removed from consideration. Nonconforming submissions may be rejected without further review. A proposal will be deemed nonconforming if the proposal fails to meet one or more of the following requirements:

The proposed concept is applicable to the technical area(s) described in the DO to which they are applying.

The proposers meet the eligibility requirements of the PA.

The proposal met the submission requirements of the PA.

The proposal met the content and formatting requirements in the attached templates to this PA.

The proposal provided sufficient information to assess the validity/feasibility of its claims.

The proposed work has not already been completed (i.e., the research element is complete but requires manufacturing/fabrication funds).

The proposer has not already received funding or a positive funding decision for the proposed concept (whether from DARPA or another Government agency).

Nonconforming proposals may be removed from consideration. Proposers will be notified of nonconforming determinations via letter.

DARPA’s intent is to review proposals as soon as possible after they arrive.

6.2 Handling of Competition Sensitive Information

It is the policy of DARPA to protect all proposals as competition sensitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purpose of evaluation and only to screened personnel for authorized reasons. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, during the evaluation process, submissions may be handled by DARPA support contractors for administrative purposes and/or to assist with technical evaluation. All DARPA support contractors are expressly prohibited from performing DARPA-sponsored technical research and are bound by appropriate nondisclosure agreements. Input on technical aspects of the proposals may be solicited by DARPA from non- Government consultants/experts who are strictly bound by appropriate nondisclosure requirements. No submissions will be returned. Upon completion of the evaluation process, DARPA will retain an electronic copy of each proposal received and all other copies will be destroyed. A certification of destruction may be requested, provided that the formal request is received via the specific email identified in the DO, within five (5) business days after notification that a proposal was not selected.

7 Eligibility Information

7.1 Eligible Applicants

All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal that will be considered by DARPA.

7.1.1 Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), Government

Entities, and University Affiliated Research Centers (UARC) FRDCs, UARCs, and Government entities interested in participating in a DO due to specific expertise or core competencies should refer to the specific DO for guidance on eligibility.

7.1.2 Non-U.S. Organizations

Non-U.S. organizations and/or individuals may participate to the extent that such participants comply with any necessary nondisclosure agreements, security regulations, export control laws, and other governing statutes applicable under the circumstances.

7.2 Organizational Conflicts of Interest

Without prior approval or a waiver from the DARPA Deputy Director, a contractor cannot simultaneously provide scientific, engineering, technical assistance (SETA); advisory and assistance services (A&AS); or similar support and also be a technical performer. As part of the proposal submission, all members of the proposed team (including any potential subcontractors or consultants) must affirm whether they (their organizations and individual team members) are providing SETA or similar support to any DARPA office(s) through an active award or sub-award.

All facts relevant to the existence or potential existence of organizational conflicts of interest (OCI) must be disclosed in VOLUME 3: ADMINISTRATIVE & NATIONAL POLICY

REQUIREMENTS.

If SETA, A&AS, or similar support is being or was provided to any DARPA office(s), the proposal must include:

The name of the DARPA office receiving the support The prime contract number The identity of proposed team member (subcontractor, consultant) providing the support An OCI mitigation plan.

Under this section of the proposal, the proposer is responsible for providing this disclosure with each proposal submitted in response to a DO. The disclosure must include the proposer’s and, as applicable, the proposed team member’s OCI mitigation plan. The OCI mitigation plan must include a description of the actions the proposer has taken or intends to take to avoid, neutralize, or mitigate such conflict; prevent the existence of conflicting roles that might bias the proposer’s judgment; and prevent the proposer from having unfair competitive advantage. Prior to the start of proposal evaluations, the Government will assess potential conflicts of interest based on the proposals submitted. DARPA will promptly notify the proposer if any appear to exist. The Government assessment does NOT affect, offset, or mitigate the proposer’s responsibility to give full notice and planned mitigation for all potential organizational conflicts.

If, in the sole opinion of the Government after full consideration of the circumstances, a proposal fails to fully disclose potential conflicts of interest and/or any identified conflict situation cannot be effectively mitigated, the proposal will be rejected without technical evaluation and withdrawn from further consideration for award.

If a prospective proposer believes a conflict of interest exists or may exist (whether organizational or otherwise) or has questions on what constitutes a conflict of interest, the proposer should send his/her contact information and a summary of the potential conflict via the specific email address identified in the DO the proposer is responding to before time and effort are expended in preparing a proposal and mitigation plan.

8. Award Administration Information

8.1 Award Notices

The following notices will be provided as applicable:

Request for clarifying details (if applicable) o May occur at any time during the evaluation process o Will not include requests for proposal changes and they will not be permitted

Request for additional information (if needed) o Proposers will be advised of any deficiencies and/or major weaknesses in their proposals and given an opportunity to respond, to include offering proposal amendments.

Notice of non-selection o Proposers will be notified that the Government has not selected their proposal for negotiation of potential award.

Notice of selection o Proposers will be notified that the Government has selected their proposal for negotiation of potential award. This notification may indicate that only part of the effort has been selected for negotiation and may request a revised proposal for only those selected portions.

As soon as the evaluation of proposals is complete, the proposers will be notified that (1) the proposal has been selected for funding, subject to OT agreement negotiations, or (2) the proposal has not been selected for funding. The above listed notifications will be sent via email to the Technical and Administrative points of contact identified on the proposal coversheet.

8.2 Administrative and National Policy Requirements

8.2.1 System for Award Management (SAM) Registration and Universal Identifier

Requirements All proposers must be registered in SAM and have a Unique Entity ID (UEI) number to propose to this PA. You must maintain an active registration in https://SAM.gov/ with current information at all times during which you have an active Federal award or idea under consideration by DARPA. Information on https://SAM.gov/ registration is available at www.sam.gov. This is a quick process, and you must be registered to be paid under any resultant agreement. See https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-general-terms#sam for further information.

NOTE: New registrations can take an average of 7-10 business days to process in https://SAM.gov/. Registration requires the following information:

SAM UEI number

TIN

Commercial and Government Entity Code (CAGE) Code. If a proposer does not already have a CAGE code, one will be assigned during SAM registration.

https://sam.gov/ https://sam.gov/ http://www.sam.gov./ https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-general-terms#sam https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-general-terms#sam

Electronic Funds Transfer information (e.g., proposer’s bank account number, routing number, and bank phone or fax number).

8.2.2 Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or Controlled Technical Information (CTI) on Non-DoD Information Systems

Proposers and awardees are subject to the DoD requirements related to protection of CUI and CTI IAW Executive Order 13556, Controlled Unclassified Information, DFARS 252.204-7000, Disclosure of Information, DFARS 252.204-7012, Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting, DoD Instruction 5200.48, Controlled Unclassified Information, DoD Instruction 8582.01, Security of Non-DoD Information Systems Processing Unclassified Nonpublic DoD Information. See https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-general-terms#cui for additional guidance on protecting CUI on Non-DoD Information Systems.

Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) is defined as unclassified information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls, pursuant to and consistent with applicable law, regulations, and Government-wide policies.

Controlled Technical Information (CTI) is defined as technical information with military or space application that is subject to controls on its access, use, reproduction, modification, performance, display, release, disclosure, or dissemination. The term CTI does not include information that is lawfully publicly available without restrictions.

DoD considers “technical information” to be technical data or computer software, as those terms are defined in Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252.227- 7013, "Rights in Technical Data - Noncommercial Items" (48 CFR 252.227-7013). Examples of technical information include research and engineering data; engineering drawings and associated lists; specifications, standards, process sheets, manuals, technical reports, technical orders, catalog-item identifications, data sets, studies and analyses and related information; and computer software code. Note that such technical information may or may not be controlled (i.e., CTI), depending on whether it has military or space application.

The proposer’s submitted TASK DESCRIPTION DOCUMENT (TDD) should indicate the proposed classification for each task. For all tasks and subtasks proposed to be unclassified, proposers should distinguish between work proposed to be Fundamental Research versus work proposed to be CUI. Proposers will provide a short explanation for why each subtask should be categorized as Fundamental Research or CUI.

If CUI tasks are proposed in the TDD, proposers must provide a plan for protecting CUI as part of VOLUME 3: ADMINISTRATIVE & NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS.

Proposers should indicate if they believe their approach will include the need to access or generate CUI or CTI in their proposal. Proposers who believe their efforts may involve CUI or CTI should provide a plan for protecting it as part of VOLUME 3: ADMINISTRATIVE & NATIONAL POLICY REQUIREMENTS. DARPA may also require the submission of a plan in individual DOs, in which case the DO will state the requirement. See the attached model OT for the terms that may be included in each negotiated OT related to safeguarding CUI/CTI and cyber incident reporting. DARPA may make a final determination whether the issuance of a CUI/CTI https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-general-terms#cui https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-general-terms#cui guide is necessary during the selection process, and selectees will be notified of CUI/CTI guidance during OT negotiations.

Mark CTI as follows: “DISTRIBUTION C. Distribution authorized to U.S. Government agencies and their contractors; Critical Technology; [current date]. Other requests for this document shall be referred to DARPA, DSO” in accordance with Department of Defense Instruction 5203.24, “Distribution of Statements on Technical Documents.”

8.2.3 Representation Regarding Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

Prior to award, all proposers are required to complete the DARPA-specific award certification provided as an attachment to this PA. The certification includes the following representation that must be completed and provided as part of a proposer’s complete proposal submission.

(a) Definitions. As used in this provision- Backhaul, covered telecommunications equipment or services, critical technology, interconnection arrangements, reasonable inquiry, roaming, and substantial or essential component have the meanings provided in the OT for Prototype Agreement Article, entitled Prohibition on Providing or Using Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment.

(b) Prohibition.

(1) Section 889(a)(1)(A) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for

Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2019, from procuring or obtaining, or extending or renewing an Agreement or contract to procure or obtain, any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(2) Section 889(a)(1)(B) of the John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) prohibits the head of an executive agency on or after August 13, 2020, from entering into an Agreement or contract or extending or renewing an Agreement or contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system. This prohibition applies to the use of covered telecommunications equipment or services, regardless of whether that use is in performance of work under a Federal Agreement or contract. Nothing in the prohibition shall be construed to—

(i) Prohibit the head of an executive agency from procuring with an entity to provide a service that connects to the facilities of a third party, such as backhaul, roaming, or interconnection arrangements; or

(ii) Cover telecommunications equipment that cannot route or redirect user data traffic or cannot permit visibility into any user data or packets that such equipment transmits or otherwise handles.

(c) Procedures. The Performer shall review the list of excluded parties in the System for Award Management (SAM) (https://www.sam.gov) for entities excluded from receiving federal awards for “covered telecommunications equipment or services.”

(d) Representations. The Performer represents that—

(1) It [ ] will, [ ] will not provide covered telecommunications equipment or services to the

Government in the performance of any Agreement, subagreement, contract, subcontract or other contractual instrument resulting from this solicitation. The Performer shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(1) of this section if the Performer responds “will” in paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and

(2) After conducting a reasonable inquiry, for purposes of this representation, the Performer represents that—

It [ ] does, [ ] does not use covered telecommunications equipment or services, or use any equipment, system, or service that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services. The Performer shall provide the additional disclosure information required at paragraph (e)(2) of this section if the Performer responds “does” in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(e) Disclosures.

(1) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision. If the Performer has responded “will” in the representation in paragraph (d)(1) of this provision, the Performer shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment—

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment

(include entity name, UEI, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services—

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the Product Service Code (PSC) of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(1) of this provision.

(2) Disclosure for the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision. If the Performer https://www.sam.gov/ has responded “does” in the representation in paragraph (d)(2) of this provision, the Performer shall provide the following information as part of the offer:

(i) For covered equipment—

(A) The entity that produced the covered telecommunications equipment

(include entity name, UEI, CAGE code, and whether the entity was the OEM or a distributor, if known);

(B) A description of all covered telecommunications equipment offered (include brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); and

(C) Explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications equipment and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

(ii) For covered services—

(A) If the service is related to item maintenance: A description of all covered telecommunications services offered (include on the item being maintained: brand; model number, such as OEM number, manufacturer part number, or wholesaler number; and item description, as applicable); or

(B) If not associated with maintenance, the PSC of the service being provided; and explanation of the proposed use of covered telecommunications services and any factors relevant to determining if such use would be permissible under the prohibition in paragraph (b)(2) of this provision.

8.2.4 Intellectual Property

Proposers should note that the Government generally does not ultimately own the intellectual property developed under awards made as a result of this PA. Based on the terms of a negotiated OT agreement, the Government acquires a license right to use the intellectual property.

Regardless of the scope of the Government’s rights, awardees may freely use their intellectual property for their own commercial purposes (unless restricted by U.S. export control laws or security classification). Therefore, it is anticipated that intellectual property developed under an award will remain the property of the awardee, and the Government will receive license rights to use it, as negotiated under the terms of the OT.

8.2.5 Human Subjects Research/Animal Use

Proposers that anticipate involving human subjects or animals in the proposed research must comply with the approval procedures detailed at https://www.darpa.mil/policies/human-animal-research to include providing the information specified therein as required for proposal submission.

8.2.6 Electronic Invoicing and Payments

Awardees will be required to submit invoices for payment electronically via Wide Area Work Flow (WAWF) at https://piee.eb.mil/, unless an exception applies. Registration in WAWF is required prior to any award under this PA.

9. Communications

DARPA intends to use email for all correspondence regarding solicitation DARPA-PA-25-07.

https://www.darpa.mil/policies/human-animal-research https://www.darpa.mil/policies/human-animal-research https://piee.eb.mil/

Proposals must NOT be sent by fax or mail; any proposals sent by fax or mail may be disregarded.

Administrative questions regarding this PA should be emailed to DARPA-PA-25-07@darpa.mil.

Technical and award questions related to a specific DO should be emailed to the specific email address listed in the DO. All questions must be in English and must include the name, email address, and telephone number of a point of contact.

DARPA will attempt to answer questions in a timely manner; however, questions submitted within 10 calendar days of the proposal due date listed in the DO may not be answered. DARPA may post a Q&A list to the DO’s program page on the DARPA website. The list may be updated on an ongoing basis until the solicitation closing date stated in Section 1.

DARPAConnect offers free resources to potential performers to help them navigate DARPA, including “Understanding DARPA Award Vehicles and Solicitations,” “Making the Most of Proposers Days,” and “Tips for DARPA Proposal Success.” Join DARPAConnect at www.DARPAConnect.us to leverage on-demand learning and networking resources.

DSO is seeking feedback from our proposer community regarding our various contracting mechanisms including Disruptioneering. Please consider completing the survey at this link:

https://events.sa-meetings.com/esurvey/126974

10. Appendix A: Other Transactions (OT) Authority OTs for prototype projects are awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022. This authority allows DARPA to use OTs for prototype projects directly relevant to enhancing the mission effectiveness of military personnel and the supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the DoD; to the improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials proposed to be acquired or developed by the DoD; or to the improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the Armed Forces.

OTs for prototype projects are instruments that are generally not subject to the Federal laws and regulations governing procurement contracts. OTs are not subject to the FAR, the DFARS, or any regulations governing grants or cooperative agreements regulations. There are no proscribed clauses in an OT agreement, and the agreement terms can be negotiated between the awardee and the Government. OT awardees are also not subject to the FAR/DFARS cost accounting standards. As a result, the use of OTs should streamline the award process, making it faster than the traditional Government contracting process and more akin to a commercial contract award timeline. Once the selections are made, the negotiation time will vary from contractor to contractor; however, DARPA expects all OT awards will be executed within 120 calendar days from the date a DO is released on https://SAM.gov/. Quick negotiations between responsive parties will enable fast awards. To ensure that DARPA achieves the Disruptioneering goal of award within 120 calendar days from the posting date of each DO, DARPA reserves the right to cease negotiations when an award is not executed by both parties (DARPA and the selected organization) on or before the deadline explicitly listed in each DO.