DARPA-SN-25-52.pdf

DARPA-SN-25-52

Special Notice Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Pitch Day

DARPA-SN-25-52

March 14, 2025

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Microsystems Technology Office 675 North Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203-2114

Special Notice DARPA-SN-25-52

Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Pitch Day Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

Initial Posting Date: March 14, 2025 (Anticipated) Posting Date of Full Announcement: March 20, 2025 Event Date: July 25, 2025 Technical POC: Mr. Mike Geertsen, Deputy Director, MTO E-mail: MTO-PitchDay@darpa.mil

BACKGROUND:

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) will host an invitation-only, in-person Pitch Day on July 25, 2025, in Aurora, Colorado (details forthcoming).

The required Abstracts should be submitted and evaluated by DARPA in the April/May 2025 time frame.

Proposers that are selected for further evaluation of their submitted concepts will be invited to submit a Pitch Day Presentation (PDP) package and pitch their proposal via an oral presentation at MTO Pitch Day.

As stated in the MTO Office-wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), HR001124S0028, Section IV:

Special Considerations, “Periodically, DARPA may endeavor to hold “Pitch Day(s). A “Pitch Day” entails DARPA soliciting proposals for a specific, targeted aspect under one or more of the BAA’s thrust areas.

Proposers ultimately would pitch their proposals to DARPA via oral presentations.” In this regard, DARPA’s MTO will host a Pitch Day for engagement with prospective proposers and to catalyze future efforts in the topics of unconventional computing, biologically inspired microsystems, and commercially catalyzed defense development to enable next generation microsystems.

The goals of the MTO Pitch Day are to: 1) fund proposals for short-term efforts with the potential to grow into groundbreaking new DARPA programs, and 2) employ an acquisition strategy to encourage participation by new and first-time or non-traditional proposers. This funding opportunity will aim to broaden DARPA’s reach with small businesses, educational institutions, and other non-traditional performers to break down barriers of entry for performers new to DARPA and the national security space.

The MTO Pitch Day event will be held at the UNCLASSIFIED level. All invited attendees will be required to present U.S. Government-issued photo identification upon entry to the event.

The full details of the MTO Pitch Day funding opportunity will be published on SAM.gov and https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/mto#opportunities on or around March 20, 2025.

MTO PITCH DAY REGISTRATION:

Based on the evaluation of submitted abstracts, select proposers will be invited to pitch their idea via an oral presentation at MTO Pitch Day on July 25, 2025. Because the MTO Pitch Day is occurring in conjunction with the MTO Spark Tank event, which will be held in Aurora, Colorado on July 24—25, 2025, those proposers invited to pitch their idea at MTO Pitch Day will be required to register via the MTO Spark Tank event registration website (details will be provided in the formal invitation sent to invited proposers on or around May 7, 2025). While Pitch Day invitees are required to register on the MTO Spark Tank registration website, attendance at the MTO Spark Tank event is not required but highly encouraged. The registration fee for all attendees of MTO Spark Tank and/or the (invitation-only) MTO Pitch Day events is mailto:MTO-PitchDay@darpa.mil https://sam.gov/ https://www.darpa.mil/research#research-opportunities

$450.00 and is solely for the purpose of covering the cost of the event. See the MTO Spark Tank Special Notice, DARPA-SN-25-40, for full details.

Note, DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred to participate in MTO Pitch Day and/or MTO Spark Tank.

MTO PITCH DAY ELIGIBILITY:

All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs, including both U.S. and non-U.S.

sources, 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. 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.

Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDC), University Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs), and Government Entities are not eligible to propose to this Pitch Day solicitation.

CONTACT:

Administrative Questions: MTO-PitchDay@darpa.mil Technical Questions: MTO-PitchDay@darpa.mil Security Process: SIDInternationalSecurity@darpa.mil

Please refer to the Announcement of Future Opportunity: Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Pitch Day Special Notice number (DARPA-SN-25-52) in all correspondence.

DARPACONNECT:

Entities who have not worked with DARPA before are encouraged to learn more about DARPAConnect, an initiative established to facilitate collaboration between DARPA and potential performers. The DARPAConnect team offers customized support, resources, and guidance on how to prepare your ideas for high-impact conversations with DARPA program managers. Please visit DARPAConnect.us to access a digital hub of online resources, including a curriculum for self-paced learning, personalized support, and in-person and virtual events. In addition to the self-paced online materials, the DARPAConnect team can schedule one-on-one conversations to discuss your specific ideas, questions, and paths to DARPA. You can use the contact form at DARPAConnect.us or email the DARPAConnect team directly at darpaconnect@darpa.mil to request assistance.

DISCLAIMERS:

Participation in MTO Pitch Day is voluntary and is not required to propose to any active or forthcoming MTO solicitations. Interested parties to this notice are cautioned that nothing herein obligates the Government to issue a solicitation. This MTO Pitch Day Special Notice does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. This notice is issued solely for information and program planning purposes and is not a Request for Information (RFI). Since this is not an RFI, the Government will not accept submissions against this notice. DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred to participate in this future opportunity.

mailto:MTO-PitchDay@darpa.mil mailto:MTO-PitchDay@darpa.mil mailto:SIDInternationalSecurity@darpa.mil https://www.darpaconnect.us/ https://darpaconnect.us/ mailto:darpaconnect@darpa.mil

No classified, ITAR controlled, or proprietary information shall be included in submitted materials or shall be presented or discussed during MTO Pitch Day.