DARPA-PS-26-20.pdf

Program Solicitation Information Innovation Office

BORDEAUX

DARPA-PS-26-20

March 2, 2026

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Overview Information ………………………………………………………………………….2

2. Program Solicitation (PS) Authority …………………………………………………………...3

3. Program Information …………………………………………………………………………...3

3.1 Program Background ……………………………………………………………………….3

3.2 Program Structure …………………………………………………………………………..3

4. Acquisition Strategy ……………………………………………………………………………4

4.1 Eligibility …………………………………………………………………………………...4

4.2 Other Transaction Agreements ……………………………………………………………..4

4.3 Proposal Submissions ………………………………………………………………………4

4.3.1 Technical Proposal (Volume I) Submission Requirements …………………………….4

4.3.2 Cost (Volume II) Submission Requirements …………………………………………...5

4.3.3 Proposal Security Submissions …………………………………………………………6

5. Security ………………………………………………………………………………………...6

5.1 Requesting the Classified Addendum ………………………………………………………6

5.2 Bordeaux Security Contact Information ……………………………………………………7

5.3 Eligibility for PS Classified Addendum ……………………………………………………7

5.4 Request Process for the Classified Addendum ……………………………………………..7

5.5 Personnel Qualification for the Classified Addendum ……………………………………..8

5.6 Facility Qualification for the Classified Addendum ………………………………………..9

5.7 Process to Receive the Classified Addendum ……………………………………………..10

6. Classified Submission Instructions …………………………………………………………...10

6.1 Submission Templates and Other Attachments ……………………………………………..10

6.1.1 PS Attachments ……………………………………………………………………10

6.1.2 PS Appendices …………………………………………………………………….11

7. Proposal Evaluation …………………………………………………………………………..11

7.1 Process of Evaluation …………………………………………………………………….11

7.2 Basis of Evaluation ……………………………………………………………………….11

8. Process of Notification and Feedback ………………………………………………………...12

9. Award Guidelines …………………………………………………………………………….12

10. Award Administration Information …………………………………………………………12

11. Solicitation Definitions ……………………………………………………………………...13 Appendix I – Classified Addendum Request Form ……………………………………………..15 Appendix II – SAP Laptop Deployment Form (DARPA Form 1114a) ………………………...16

1. OVERVIEW INFORMATION

Federal Agency Name: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Information Innovation Office (I2O)

Funding Opportunity Title: Bordeaux Announcement Type: Initial Announcement Funding Opportunity Number: DARPA-PS-26-20 Dates/Time: All times are Eastern Time Zone (ET) o Posting Date: March 2, 2026 o Proposers Day: March 16 & 17, 2026 o Classified Addendum Request Cutoff Date: March 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM o Question Submittal Closed: April 3, 2026, at 1:00 PM o Question & Answer (Q&A) Response Release Date: April 10, 2026, no earlier than 9:00 AM o Proposal Due Date and Time: May 15, 2026, at 1:00 PM

Description of the funding opportunity: DARPA is soliciting innovative research proposals for cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI) models, and AI hardware

Anticipated Individual Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated Types of Instruments that may be Awarded: Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype

Agreements Resource Sharing Requirements: In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022, resource sharing may be required for OT for Prototype Agreements. The OT for Prototype agreements are not expected to require cost sharing unless the proposer is a traditional defense contractor who is not working with a nontraditional defense contractor participating in the project to a significant extent.

NAICS Code: 541715 Questions and Answers (Q&As): All UNCLASSIFIED administrative and award questions should be emailed to the UNCLASSIFIED email address stated below under Agency Point of Contact (POC). All CLASSIFIED technical questions should be emailed to the Savannah Classified Email address stated below under Agency POC. All questions must be written in English and must include the name of a designated point of contact.

Agency Point of Contact (POC): The Program Solicitation Coordinator for this effort can be reached at:

o UNCLASSIFIED Email: Bordeaux@darpa.mil o Savannah CLASSIFIED Email: Bordeaux@ascendc.local

DARPA/I2O

ATTN: DARPA-PS-26-20

675 North Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203-2114 mailto:Bordeaux@darpa.mil mailto:Bordeaux@ascendc.local

2. PROGRAM SOLICITATION (PS) AUTHORITY

Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4022, the Government reserves the right to award one or more OT for Prototype Agreements or to make no award. Prototype projects may include, but are not limited to:

a proof of concept, model, or process, including a business process;

reverse engineering to address obsolescence;

a pilot or novel application of commercial technologies for defense purposes;

agile development activity;

the creation, design, development or demonstration of operational utility; or any combination of the above.

Furthermore, a follow-on production contract or transaction may be awarded pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 4022 without the use of competitive procedures. The OT for Prototype Agreement will not require resource sharing unless the proposer is a traditional defense contractor who is not working with a non-traditional defense contractor participating in the project to a significant extent.

In all cases, the Government Agreements Officer (AO) shall have sole discretion to negotiate all agreement terms and conditions with selected proposers.

This announcement, stated attachments, and websites incorporated by reference constitute the entire solicitation. In the event of a discrepancy between the announcement, attachments, or websites, the announcement shall take precedence.

3. PROGRAM INFORMATION

DARPA is soliciting innovative proposals in the following technical area: cyber security performance in AI. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary advances in science and economics. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.

3.1 PROGRAM BACKGROUND

Bordeaux will research cyber security performance in AI.

3.2 PROGRAM STRUCTURE

Bordeaux is a thirty-six (36) month program organized into one startup period (not part of the technical program) and two program phases. The Security Startup Period is three (3) months, Phase 1 is eighteen (18) months (Base), and Phase 2 (Base Expansion) is eighteen (18) months.

This PS is soliciting proposals for both 18-month phases (see classified addendum for further details). Additionally, this PS is requesting proposers submit an estimate for a twelve (12) month Transition Phase for planning and budgeting purposes only. The Transition Phase is not being solicited by this PS and only serves as a rough estimate in case the need for a Transition Phase arises at the end of the program. Multiple awards are anticipated.

4. ACQUISITION STRATEGY

4.1 ELIGIBILITY

DARPA encourages technical solutions from all responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government’s needs, including large and small businesses, nontraditional defense contractors as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 3014, and research institutions as defined in 15 U.S.C. § 632.

Non-U.S. organizations and/or individuals cannot participate in this solicitation. All other responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs may submit a proposal that shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses and Minority Institutions are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals; however, no portion of this announcement will be set aside for these organizations’ participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of this research for exclusive competition among these entities.

To ensure fair competition across the ecosystem, DARPA prohibits contractors/performers from concurrently providing System Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA), Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), or similar support services from being a technical performer, unless the DARPA Deputy Director grants written wavier. DARPA extends this prohibition to University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), including National Labs, who as a result of their specialized expertise and areas of competencies, are able to accomplish integral tasks that cannot be met by Government or contractor resources. Therefore, these entities are strongly discouraged from proposing against this solicitation as award to a UARC or FFRCD and will only be made by exception. UARCs and FFRDCs interested in this solicitation, either as a prime or subcontractor, must contact Agency Point of Contact (POC) listed in the Overview section prior to the proposal submission date to discuss potential participation as part of the Government team or eligibility as a technical performer.

NOTE: Refer to the PS classified addendum for additional security requirements that impact eligibility.

4.2 OTHER TRANSACTION AGREEMENTS

OT for Prototype Agreements offer DARPA and performers the flexibility to negotiate terms and conditions which closely reflect private-sector or commercial contracts. Thus, standard Government regulations, such as the Federal Acquisitions Regulations (FAR) or Defense Federal Acquisitions Regulations Supplement (DFARS) do not apply.

4.3 PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS

4.3.1 TECHNICAL PROPOSAL (VOLUME I) SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

The written submission will include:

One (1) slide summary in the format provided in the DARPA template.

For additional information, please reference the PS classified addendum

Technical Volume – 25 pages maximum Overview of the team and highlighted, relevant qualifications

Max length: 2 pages

Relevant prior work Max length: 2 pages

Task Description Document (TDD) For additional information, please reference the PS classified addendum Page count does not count against page maximum

Detailed explanation of the technical approach including:

Specific technical approach proposed Explanation of the suitability and existing work Weaknesses and risks to the technical approach with mitigations as appropriate Strengths and weaknesses of the technical approach with respect to viable employment in transition partner(s) operations Intellectual Property (IP) Data Rights Assertion

Refer to Section 10: Award Administration for further details

4.3.2 COST (VOLUME II) SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

DARPA intends to make multiple awards to pursue various innovative approaches. All budget and/or cost submissions should reflect the scale and complexity of the proposed approach.

Submissions that provide insufficient evidence linking the technical level of effort to the proposed budget are strongly discouraged and will be reflected in the evaluation results of the scientific review process. Milestone prices should not be averaged across the length of the program but instead should reflect value to the Government.

The Government requires that proposers use the provided UNCLASSIFIED Cost Volume (Attachment C Vol II Costs) and the UNCLASSIFIED Cost Spreadsheet (Attachment D Cost Spreadsheet) in the development of their cost proposals. The proposer must submit an UNCLASSIFIED cost volume and spread sheet via the DARPA Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT). For additional information, see the PS classified addendum.

The DARPA Standard Cost Proposal Spreadsheet can be found on the DARPA website at https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/contract-management (under “Resources” on the righthand side of the webpage) and is attached in Attachment D Cost Spreadsheet. All tabs and tables in the cost proposal spreadsheet should be developed in an editable format with calculation formulas intact to allow traceability of the cost proposal. This cost proposal spreadsheet should be used by the prime organization and all subcontractors. In addition to using the cost proposal spreadsheet, the cost proposal still must include all other items required in this announcement that are not covered by the editable spreadsheet. Subcontractor UNCLASSIFIED cost proposal spreadsheets may be submitted directly to the Government by the proposed subcontractor emailing the UNCLASSIFIED inbox Bordeaux@darpa.mil. Using the provided cost proposal spreadsheet will assist the Government in a rapid analysis of your proposed costs and, if your proposal is selected for potential award, speed up the negotiation and award execution process.

The cost proposal spreadsheet is a supplement to, and not a substitution for, the Cost Volume.

The Cost Volume should be submitted as outlined using Attachment C Vol II Costs.

Total program costs broken down by major cost items (direct labor, including labor categories; subcategories; materials; other direct costs; overhead charges, etc.) and further broken down by tasks and phase mailto:Bordeaux@darpa.mil

Major program tasks by fiscal year An itemization of major subcontracts and equipment purchases Documentation supporting the reasonableness of the proposed equipment costs (vendor quotes, past purchase orders/purchase history, detailed engineering estimates, etc.) shall be provided

An itemization of any information technology (IT) and documentation supporting the reasonableness of the proposed equipment costs (vendor quotes, past purchase orders/purchase history, detailed engineering estimates, etc.) shall be provided, including a letter stating why the proposer cannot provide the requested resources from its own funding for prime and all sub awardees

A summary of projected funding requirements by milestones and estimated month The source, nature, and amount of any industry cost-sharing Identification of pricing assumptions which may require incorporation into the resulting award instrument (e.g., use of Government furnished property/facilities/information, access to Government subject matter experts)

Tables should be included in the cost proposal in editable (e.g., MS ExcelTM) format with calculation formulas intact. NOTE: if PDF file format submissions differ from the Excel submission, the PDF will take precedence.

4.3.3 PROPOSAL SECURITY SUBMISSIONS

Refer to the PS classified addendum.

5. SECURITY

The effort solicited by this PS is classified TOP SECRET//SPECIAL ACCESS REQUIRED and involves access to, or generation of, classified information. Instructions on eligibility to receive the classified addendum are in section 5.1.2 below.

NO CLASSIFIED INFORMATION SHOULD BE SENT TO DARPA’S BAAT OR

UNCLASSIFIED EMAIL. Unclassified elements of the prime’s submission may be submitted via BAAT. As noted previously, the unclassified version of the Volume II and the Cost Spreadsheet for primes and subcontractors will be submitted via BAAT. Unclassified responses for Volume I to this PS will not be reviewed.

Proposal submissions are due May 15, 2026, at 1:00 PM.

5.1 REQUESTING THE CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM

Proposers who previously requested the classified addendum via the Special Notice (DARPA- SN-26-34) do not need to request it again or complete the APPENDIX I – CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM REQUEST Forms.

All documents required to qualify to receive the PS classified addendum should be properly completed and submitted no later than March 27, 2026, at 5:00 PM to obtain the PS classified addendum for this solicitation.

Documentation received after the March 27, 2026 due date may be processed; however, DARPA cannot guarantee late submitting organizations will receive the PS classified addendum.

5.2 BORDEAUX SECURITY CONTACT INFORMATION

Security documentation or questions should be sent directly to I2O Security via one of the following methods:

(Primary) Bordeaux email, Bordeaux@darpa.mil.

(Secondary) DARPA I2O PSR at (571) 218-4924 (vIPer).

Via JADE for PAR processing only. Route to the Security Administrator (SA) and additional coordinator. Contact Bordeaux@darpa.mil for more information.

Via SIC, coordinate prior with the unclassified inbox for a contact.

Via ASCEND (DARPA enterprise SAP WAN), Bordeaux@ascendc.local.

DARPA I2O SA at (703) 526-2002.

5.3 ELIGIBILITY FOR PS CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM

This section addresses procedures for eligible organizations that wish to receive the PS classified addendum. Any organization that wants to receive the PS classified addendum should complete the Classified Addendum Request Form, Appendix I. The PS classified addendum is expected to be released at the TOP SECRET//SAP level on Proposers Day and will require that proposal teams have the proper clearance to access TOP SECRET//SAP reference material and generate proposals at the TOP SECRET//SAP level.

In order to qualify to receive the PS classified addendum, an organization must:

1. Complete the Classified Addendum Request form. For additional information see the

Section on Classified Addendum Request Process.

2. Have qualified personnel capable of receiving the PS classified addendum. For additional information see the section on Personnel Security.

3. Have a means of storing the PS classified addendum and working on and storing a proposal at the expected TS//SAP level. PS classified addendum will not be transmitted to facilities that are not accredited for this SAP. For additional information see the section on Facility Security.

4. Have a means of receiving the PS classified addendum. For additional information see the section on Process for Receiving the classified addendum.

All organizations must have Foreign Ownership, Control and Influence (FOCI) concerns on their FCL mitigated and when required by their FOCI mitigation plan, have received National Interest Determinations (NIDs) specific to this solicitation for Communications Security (COMSEC), SAP and TOP SECRET from the relevant cognizant security organizations. DARPA cannot guarantee that NIDs will be issued in time to receive the classified addendum before the proposal submission date.

5.4 REQUEST PROCESS FOR THE CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM

The Classified Addendum Request Form is the only method of request that will be accepted.

Eligibility requirements to receive the PS classified addendum must be met.

mailto:Havana@darpa.mil mailto:Havana@darpa.mil mailto:Havana@ascendc.local

The classified addendum is requested by filling out the Classified Addendum Request Form (found at the end of this solicitation as Appendix I) and emailing the form to Bordeaux@darpa.mil with subject line titled “Request DARPA-PS-26-20”. Additional supporting documentation for eligibility is also required with the request form. The classified addendum will not be transmitted to requesters who do not submit all supporting documentation with the request form. Instructions for submitting classified supporting documentation is contained in this solicitation; DO NOT submit classified supporting documentation to Bordeaux@darpa.mil.

5.5 PERSONNEL QUALIFICATION FOR THE CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM

Proposers will require access to Bordeaux which is a DARPA SAP. Organizations may request a maximum of twelve (12) personnel to obtain access to the SAP for the proposal writing period.

In all cases, security personnel do not count toward the total number. The minimum SAP access requirements are U.S. citizenship with a final TOP SECRET clearance, based on a current (within six years) background investigation or enrollment in Continuous Evaluation (CE) as recorded in Defense Information System for Security (DISS) or Scattered Castles, to include the CE category of “other.”

Participants will submit a PAR package for each attendee, which includes the following forms:

1. PAR form

2. Pre-screening Questionnaire (PSQ) updated within one year of request

3. PSQ Template(s) – required for any “Yes” answers on the PSQ form; each contact or location must be on separate templates. For example, three foreign contacts require three templates. Three foreign trips require three more separate templates.

Delays may occur if PSQs are outdated; if the PSQ instructions are not followed; or if packages are not considered complete for PS classified addendum consideration.

Forms can be downloaded from Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency website at Special Access Programs & Templates.

All forms can be submitted using one of the following methods:

a. Via email: Send an encrypted attachment using a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-2 standard solution, with the password provided in a separate email to Bordeaux@darpa.mil.

b. Via JADE: Prior coordination with the Program Security Representative (PSR) is required when submitting through the Joint Access Database Environment (JADE).

The I2O Security Team will notify each organization of PAR approvals. Indoctrination briefings will be provided on Proposers Day. For organizations that do not attend Proposers Day, please coordinate with the I2O Security Team for indoctrination once notified of PAR approval.

mailto:Bordeaux@darpa.mil mailto:Bordeaux@darpa.mil https://www.dcsa.mil/Industrial-Security/Special-Access-Programs-Templates/ https://www.google.com/url?q=mailto:Havana@darpa.mil

5.6 FACILITY QUALIFICATION FOR THE CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM

Physical Security The PS classified addendum is classified as TOP SECRET//SAP. Potential proposers who intend to receive the PS classified addendum are required to have a Special Access Program Facility (SAPF) accredited by DARPA Physical Security and compliant with DoDM 5205.07 prior to requesting the PS classified addendum.

No later than March 27, 2026, proposers intending on receiving the PS classified addendum must identify a suitable SAPF or SCIF, and provide the following information to the PSR at the appropriate classification level:

a. Use of a currently accredited DARPA SAPF (strongly encouraged): Notify the I2O

PSR of the physical address, CAGE code, building, and room number of the proposed space in writing and provide a Concept of Operations (CONOP) describing procedures for shared use by multiple programs, if not already approved by DARPA Program Security Officer (PSO) and loaded in the DARPA Security Management Database(DSMD).

b. Use of a currently accredited non-DARPA SAPF/SCIF (NOTE: DARPA cannot guarantee timely approval for Co-Use Agreements (CUAs) that are dependent on other organizations’ approvals):

For existing facilities, submit a CUA utilizing the Intelligence Community Directive (ICD)-705 CUA form to the I2O PSR. Provide the organization, office, full name, phone number, and email of the cognizant PSO or Site Security Officer (SSO) for the existing facility. CONOPs will also be submitted describing procedures in place to ensure access control to DARPA SAP material within the shared facility.

Information System Security and Eligibility Proposers will require information systems accredited at the TOP SECRET//SAP level.

To assist potential performers with writing proposals as quickly as possible, DARPA has developed a pre-approved classified laptop package for responding to this PS classified addendum. Each invited organization will be permitted to request one accredited TOP SECRET//SAP laptop for use at their facility. The laptops will come preconfigured with common software, drivers, and 20 individual accounts. Drivers for local equipment such as printers and scanners must be requested from DARPA in the Laptop Request Form.

Only standard Windows drivers can be loaded after receipt of laptop. In addition, proposers may use the DARPA ASCEND enterprise network if already in place. DARPA will not field ASCEND terminals for this solicitation.

To obtain an Information System (IS) accreditation/approval, proposers will provide the following information to the PSR no later than March 27, 2026:

a. DARPA ASCEND: Submit request in writing to the PSR to add the Program

Identifier (PID) to the proposer’s existing ASCEND system by providing the room number and ASCEND site number where the proposal will be prepared. DARPA will https://www.dla.mil/Energy/Business/Wide-Area-Workflow/ not furnish additional ASCEND locations or equipment for the purpose of the PS classified addendum response.

b. DARPA PS Loaned Laptop Request: Submit Laptop Request Form, APPENDIX II, to the Bordeaux@darpa.mil. Pick up at DARPA is expected to begin March 16 and 17, 2026. Please confirm pick up information with security upon notification that your request is approved.

5.7 PROCESS TO RECEIVE THE CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM

The PS and PS classified addendum is expected to be disseminated starting March 16 or 17, 2026, via one of the following methods:

1. ASCEND Network: Proposers must provide an ASCEND email address to receive the PS classified addendum no later than March 27, 2026, to Bordeaux@ascend.local.

2. Two-Person Integrity (TPI) Courrier: To use this method, the following requirements must be submitted:

a. The DARPA PS Loaner Laptop with the PS classified addendum must be handled by two program-briefed attendees acting as Couriers.

b. A Transportation Plan (TP) and a Courier Letter is required and must be submitted to Bordeaux@darpa.mil no later than March 20, 2026.

6. CLASSIFIED SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

For information on submitting classified responses, refer to the PS classified addendum.

6.1 SUBMISSION TEMPLATES AND OTHER ATTACHMENTS

6.1.1 PS ATTACHMENTS

(required) Attachment C: Proposal Instructions and Volume II Template (Cost) (unclassified)

(required) Attachment D: MS Excel™ DARPA Standard Cost Proposal Spreadsheet (unclassified)

(required) Attachment E: Sample Other Transaction for Prototype Template (unclassified)

(required) Attachment L: Schedule of Milestones and Payments (unclassified) (informational) Attachment M: Sample Associate Contractor Agreement (ACA) For a complete list of attachments, please reference the PS classified addendum.

The submission of these attachments must adhere strictly to the guidelines and procedures contained within the Bordeaux classified addendum.

Please visit Proposer Instructions and General Terms and Conditions for specific information regarding submission methods through BAAT. Please note, BAAT is a method of secure transmission for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) documentation.

mailto:Havana@darpa.mil mailto:Bordeaux@ascendc.local mailto:Havana@darpa.mil https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-general-terms

Classified submissions sent through the DARPA Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) or Grants.gov will not be accepted and are a security violation.

6.1.2 PS APPENDICES

Appendix I – Classified Addendum Request Form Appendix II - SAP Laptop Deployment Form (DARPA Form 1114a)

7. PROPOSAL EVALUATION

7.1 PROCESS OF EVALUATION

The Bordeaux Program Manager and a panel of Government Subject Matter Experts will evaluate the submission against the Basis of Evaluation.

7.2 BASIS OF EVALUATION

The submission will be evaluated against the evaluation criteria described below. The evaluation criteria are listed in descending order of importance.

o Overall Scientific and Technical Merit: The proposed technical approach is innovative, feasible, achievable, and complete. The proposed technical team has the expertise and experience to accomplish the proposed tasks. The proposed technical approach builds on prior mature technology and/or expertise in frontier research areas appliable to the program. Task descriptions and associated technical elements provided are complete 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.

o Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission: The potential contributions of the proposed effort bolster the national security technology base and support DARPA’s mission to make pivotal early technology investments that create technological surprise for national security. The proposer clearly demonstrates its capability to transition the technology to the research, industrial, and/or operational military communities in such a way as to enhance U.S. defense. In addition, the evaluation will take into consideration the extent to which the proposed intellectual property (IP) data rights structure will impact the Government’s ability to transition the technology.

o Cost Realism: The proposed costs are representative of the proposer’s scope of work and reflect a sufficient understanding of the costs and level of effort needed to successfully accomplish the proposed technical approach. The proposed costs for the prime and team (subcontractors, consultants, etc.) are substantiated by supporting documentation and/or details that allow the Government to discern cost realism. It is expected that the effort will leverage all available relevant prior research to obtain the maximum benefit from the available funding. DARPA recognizes that undue emphasis on cost may motivate proposers to offer low-risk ideas with minimum uncertainty and to staff the effort with junior personnel to be in a more competitive posture. DARPA discourages such cost strategies.

8. PROCESS OF NOTIFICATION AND FEEDBACK

All proposers will receive electronic correspondence stating whether their submission was selected for negotiation of potential award. Upon notice of selection for potential award, and subject to the availability of funds, the Government may indicate full proposal selection or partial selection for negotiations. If a partial selection is made, the DARPA Agreement Officer will request a revised proposal for only those selected portions, if not apparent through the delineation of the proposed tasks. Further, upon notification of a selection determination, DARPA may conduct informal feedback sessions. Subcontractors shall note that informal feedback sessions must be requested by the prime proposer; subcontractors may attend the informal feedback session at the invitation of the prime proposer.

9. AWARD GUIDELINES

In any case, the Government Agreement Officer reserves the right to negotiate directly with the proposer on the Award Articles (terms and conditions) prior to execution of the resulting OT agreement, including payment terms, and will execute the agreement award on behalf of the Government. Be advised, subject to the availability of funds, only a Government Agreements Officer has the authority to enter into, or modify, a binding agreement on behalf of the United States Government.

In order to receive an award:

Proposers must have a Unique Identity ID number and register within the System for Award Management (SAM).

Proposers must also register in the prescribed Government invoicing system (Wide Area Work Flow).

Proposers must be determined to be responsible by the Government Agreements Officer and must not be suspended or debarred from award by the Federal Government nor be prohibited by Presidential Executive Order and/or law for receiving an award.

Proposer must meet all industrial, personnel, and information system security requirements (e.g., facility clarence, personnel security clearance, certification and accreditation) as defined by the Bordeaux Security Classification Guide (SCG) DARPA- CG-1143A Rev. 1 and indicate that appropriate protections are in place.

NOTE: Submitting a proposal and/or being selected for potential award does not guarantee receipt of an award. This Government maintains full discretion regarding final award decisions, including the option to make no awards.

10. AWARD ADMINISTRATION INFORMATION

Representations and Certifications All offerors are required to submit DARPA-specific representations and certifications for Prototype OT awards in order to be eligible to receive an OT award. Refer to DARPA https://www.dla.mil/Energy/Business/Wide-Area-Workflow/ https://www.dla.mil/Energy/Business/Wide-Area-Workflow/ https://www.darpa.mil/research/opportunities/reps-certs

Representations and Certifications for further information on required representations and certifications for Prototype OT awards.

Competition Sensitive Information DARPA policy is to treat all submissions as competition-sensitive and to disclose their contents only for the purpose of evaluation. Restrictive notices notwithstanding, during the evaluation process, submissions may be handled by support contractors for administrative purposes and/or to assist with technical evaluation. All DARPA support contractors performing this role are expressly prohibited from performing DARPA-sponsored technical research and are bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements. Input on technical aspects of the case study/proposals may be solicited by DARPA from non-Government consultants/experts who are strictly bound by the appropriate non-disclosure requirements.

Data Rights & Intellectual Property (IP) The Bordeaux program is seeking Government purpose rights (GPR) or unlimited rights:

The Government strongly encourages all noncommercial software (including source code), software documentation, hardware designs and documentation, and technical data generated under resultant awards be provided as deliverables to the Government, with a minimum of GPR, as lesser rights may adversely impact the lifecycle costs of affected items, components, or processes.

Follow-On Production The Government reserves the right to negotiate and award follow-on production contracts and transactions to performers who successfully complete the prototype phase of OT awarded under this PS, without further competition, per 10 U.S.C. § 4022.

Human and Animal Subjects Research (HSR & ASR) The Bordeaux program does not anticipate HSR & ASR in proposal submissions. Any proposal that involves HSR & ASR will not be reviewed.

Organizational Conflict of Information (OCI) Proposers, through submission of a proposal, are required to identify and disclose all facts relevant to a potential OCI involving the proposer, the proposer’s organization, and/or any proposed team member (proposed subawardee). Along with the disclosure, the proposer shall submit a mitigation plan, which is a description of the action the performer has taken to avoid, neutralize, or mitigate the stated OCI. The Government may require proposers to provide additional information to assist the Government in evaluating the OCI mitigation plan. See Appendix A of Attachment B.

If the Government determines a proposer failed to fully disclose an OCI; failed to provide the affirmation of DARPA support; or failed to reasonably provide additional information requested by the Government to assist in evaluating the proposer’s OCI mitigation plan, the Government may reject the proposal and withdraw it from consideration for award.

11. SOLICITATION DEFINITIONS

“Data” refers to recorded information, regardless of form or method of recording, which includes but is not limited to, technical data, software, mask works and trade secrets. The term https://www.darpa.mil/research/opportunities/reps-certs does not include financial, administrative, cost, pricing, or management information and does not include inventions.

“Government Purpose” means any activity in which the United States Government is a party, including cooperative agreements with international or multi-national defense organizations, or sales or transfers by the United States Government to foreign governments or international organizations. Government purpose does not include the right to use, modify, reproduce, release, perform, display, or disclose technical data for commercial purposes or authorize others to do so.

“Government Purpose Rights” means the right to use, duplicate, or disclose Data, in whole or in part, and in any manner, for Government Purposes only, and to have or permit others to do so for Government Purposes only.

“Nontraditional Defense Contractor” is defined in 10 U.S.C. § 3014 as an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the solicitation of sources by the DoD for the procurement or transaction, any contract or subcontract for the DoD that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards prescribed pursuant to 41 U.S.C. § 1502 and the regulations implementing such section. This includes all small business concerns under the criteria and size standards in 15 U.S.C. § 632 and 13 C.F.R.

Part 121.

"Other Transaction” refers to the type of contract that may be awarded as a result of this PS.

This type of contract is authorized by 10 U.S.C. § 4022 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, or for the improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces.

“Prototype Project” is described in the DoD Prototyping Guidebook (Version 2.0, July 2023) issued by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment:

Prototyping Guidebook

“Small Business Concerns” is defined in the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. § 632).

“Unlimited Rights” means rights to use, duplicate, release, or disclose, Data in whole or in part, in any manner and for any purposes whatsoever, and to have or permit others to do so.

https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/policy/docs/guidebook/DoD%20OT%20Guide_July%202023.pdf

APPENDIX I – CLASSIFIED ADDENDUM REQUEST FORM

Date:

Company Name:

Company Address (Unclassified):

Unclassified Fax:

Point of Contact Name:

POC Phone Number:

POC Fax Number:

POC Email:

Company Cage Code:

Security or FSO Phone Number:

Security or FSO Fax Number:

Security or FSO Email:

Company Secure Fax Number:

SAPF/SCIF Location (City, State, Building, Room Number) (If requesting

PS)

DARPA SAVANAH Network Site Number (If Applicable)

APPENDIX II - SAP LAPTOP DEPLOYMENT FORM (DARPA FORM

1114A)

Appended as attachment.