MTO_Office-Wide_BAA_HR001122S0028_FAQ_20250428.pdf

HR001122S0028: Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) Office-wide Frequently Answers and Questions (FAQ)

Updated on April 28, 2025

Q1: Is the Cost Proposal Spreadsheet required for grants and cooperative agreements that will be submitted through grants.gov for FOA #HR001124S0028?

A1: It is recommended, but not required. Proposers may use the budget form(s) that are provided through Grants.gov.

Q2: We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss our innovations’ fit. Could we schedule a call to explore this further?

A2: To determine the best fit for your work, we recommend looking at MTO's staff page and identifying which Program Manager's (1 or multiple) work most closely aligns to your interests.

On these bios, you will find an email link which allows you to contact that/those Program Manager(s) directly. Here is the link to the staff list: https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/mto.

Q3: This is not obvious to me which portal should be used to submit the abstract. Should it be submitted by email?

A3: As stated in the BAA, the instructions for abstract submission are contained within Attachment A. All abstracts, including those for which a prospective proposer may seek a grant or cooperative agreement via a subsequent proposal submission, must be submitted through the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT). Instructions for all submissions through BAAT, to include abstracts, are included here: Proposer Instructions and General Terms and Conditions (note:

while the BAAT section at this link mentions proposals specifically, the same instructions apply for abstract submissions).

Q4: Are FFRDCs eligible to participate in this BAA?

A4: While FFRDCs are not prohibited from proposing, per the BAA, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), University Affiliated Research Centers, and Government entities interested in proposing to this BAA should first contact the Agency Point of Contact (POC) listed in the Overview section prior to the Abstract due date to discuss eligibility.

FFRDCs are subject to applicable direct competition limitations and cannot propose to this solicitation in any capacity unless they meet the following conditions. (1) FFRDCs must clearly demonstrate that the proposed work is not otherwise available from the private sector. (2) FFRDCs must provide a letter, on official letterhead from their sponsoring organization, that (a) cites the specific authority establishing their eligibility to propose to Government solicitations and compete with industry, and (b) certifies the FFRDC’s compliance with the associated FFRDC sponsor agreement’s terms and conditions. These conditions are a requirement for FFRDCs proposing to be awardees or subawardees.

Q5: Can you offer any guidance on the expected (average) proposed project durations and budget?

https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/mto https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/proposer-instructions

A5: To allow for a wide range of submissions the office-wide BAA does not offer any guidance on duration and budget for submitted proposals.

Q6: Can one proposer submit multiple abstracts and be eligible to receive multiple awards under this BAA?

A6: At this time, there are no restrictions on the number of submissions an entity may make, or the number of awards an entity may receive, under the MTO Office-wide HR001124S0028.

Q7: If an abstract receives a discouraged recommendation, should the team use the feedback to modify the abstract again? Or can the team use the feedback to submit a full proposal.

A7: Conventionally, the purpose of the abstract is to serve as a mechanism for DARPA to provide encouragement or discouragement of a subsequent full proposal submission such that the proposer can make a more informed business decision as to whether it wants to incur the time, effort, and cost of preparing and submitting the full proposal. Therefore, while it would not be conventional for an entity to submit a new, revised abstract, there is nothing in the BAA that prohibits it.