DARPA-BAA-14-25_Proposers_Day_Briefing_Slides_5-7-2014.pdf

Tactical Technology Office:

Office-Wide BAA

Pamela Melroy, Deputy Director

Briefing prepared for TTO Office-Wide BAA Proposers’ Day

May 7, 2014

1 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Why are we here today?

• We want to make sure that you understand our approach which includes:

• The areas we are focusing on and why, so that you can be more effective in what you propose.

• Our process and the realities about the way our Office-Wide BAA works.

• We want to answer your questions:

• During tomorrow’s sidebars, tell us your ideas for truly revolutionary technologies that are aligned with the Program Managers (PMs’) vision.

• Tell us your thoughts on how we can tap into new ideas that can strengthen our existing programs.

• The interchange of ideas between DARPA and industry has always been at the heart of TTO’s approach to developing revolutionary technologies:

• Many programs have started as seedlings from Office-Wide BAA submissions.

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• PMs are the ones who execute seedlings and programs.

• Office Director and Deputy Director can help you locate the right PM.

• You may have a good idea, but if it’s not aligned with someone’s interest area, then it won’t happen.

• Feedback for Executive Summaries and White Papers can steer you in the right direction before submitting a proposal.

Our engine is made up of our PMs’ visions

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How does it work?

• One (1) year-long Office-Wide BAA:

− Designated BAA coordinator and email address

− Does not supersede program BAAs

• Executive Summaries, White Papers, and Proposals

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Review

Review

Multiple Reviews

SRO Review

SRO Review

SRO Review

Things to keep in mind (1 of 3)

• No-Interest/Discourage means:

• In the form you submitted, we are not interested in your idea because:

• The submission does not present an approach to developing technology that is aligned with the DARPA/TTO Focus Areas and interests.

• The submission is not important to TTO’s areas of responsibility as outlined in the

BAA.

• The submission is not suitably structured to produce a TTO systems-level demonstration or product.

• The submission does not substantiate a revolutionary military capability within the TTO portfolio.

• The proposed approach does not clearly identify current limitations that will be overcome.

• The submission does not identify barriers to implementing new operational concepts and postulates solutions.

• The submission does not convey technology significantly beyond the state of the art.

• It does NOT mean that you cannot resubmit after changing your concept or that you cannot submit a full proposal... BUT chances of success are extremely slim.

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Things to keep in mind (2 of 3)

• Common misunderstandings:

• You can submit any time in the period, not just at the due date.

• There is a short “blackout” period on Executive Summaries and White Papers near the end – don’t panic, just wait for our next Office-Wide BAA to come out.

• Make sure it is relevant to TTO – your idea may be more relevant for another DARPA Office.

• Please explain your technology that enables a new capability.

• Don’t forget to tell us what you want – a study? a demo? and what you will deliver.

• Do your homework – how is the task accomplished today and how much will your technology compare in cost, performance, and operations?

• Not all this detail is needed in an Executive Summary, but you should have considered this when submitting.

6 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Things to keep in mind (3 of 3)

• Interest/Encourage means:

• We find your idea interesting and we would like to know more.

• It does NOT mean that you are funded or that a full proposal will be accepted.

• Funding and seedling length expectation:

• Intent is to fund seedlings at < $1M

• Typically, seedlings are 12-18 months in duration unless there is valid justification for a longer effort

• Efforts larger than seedlings are likely to be handled as a program – options or through a program BAA

• Okay to propose options for a larger follow-on program

• You may submit a cost proposal with various options (1, 2…n) so that you have a phased approach, but this would only be one volume

7 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Do and don’ts

• DO read the BAA-14-25 document in its entirety.

• DO use the Executive Summary and White Paper process.

• DO forward any questions related to the DARPA/TTO Office-Wide BAA-14-25 to DARPA-BAA-14-25@darpa.mil.

• Do NOT recirculate proposals rejected from program BAAs.

• Do NOT hand carry paper copies to the DARPA building.

• Do NOT email/fax in your Executive Summary, White Paper, or Proposal to the BAA-14-25 mailbox.

• Do NOT call to check on the status of your submission.

8 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Questions?

• How can we improve the process?*

*...please don’t ask us to change the Federal Acquisition Regulations!

9 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

www.darpa.mil

10 Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.