W911NF24S0004 BAA TINA.pdf

DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT FOR

TRAPPED IONS & NEUTRAL ATOMS QUANTUM

COMPUTING (TINA QC)

W911NF24S0004

Issued by:

U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground

Research Triangle Park Division

P.O. BOX 12211

Research Triangle Park, NC 27709-2211

I. OVERVIEW OF THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY:

A. Required Overview Content

1. Federal Agency Name(s):

2. Funding Opportunity Title:

Trapped Ions & Neutral Atoms Quantum Computing (TINA QC)

3. Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

4. Research Opportunity Number: W911NF24S0004

5. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

12.431 – Basic Scientific Research

6. Response Dates:

B. Additional Overview Information

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

A. Funding Opportunity Description

A.1 Background and Overview of TINA QC

A.2 Detailed Topic Descriptions:

A.2.1 Topic 1: Modular Atoms (MA) A.2.2 Topic 2: Faster Atoms (FA) A.2.3 Topic 3: Versatile Atoms (VA):

A.3 Proposal Guidance and End-of-Program Research Goals

A.4 Out of Scope

A.5 References

B. Federal Award Information

1. Procurement Contract

2. Grant

3. Cooperative Agreement

4. Other Transaction for Research

5. Other Transaction for Prototype or Production

6. Grants and cooperative agreements for Institutions of Higher Education, nonprofit organizations, foreign organizations, and foreign public entities

7. Grants and cooperative agreements for for-profit and nonprofit organizations exempted from Subpart E—Cost Principles of 2 CFR Part 200, are primarily governed by the following:

8. OTs for Research

9. OTs for Prototypes or Production

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants:

2. Cost Sharing or Matching:

3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs):

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to View Broad Agency Announcement

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

3. Unique Entity Identifier and System for Award Management (SAM)

4. Submission Dates and Times:

5. Intergovernmental Review

6. Funding Guidance:

7. Other Submission Requirements:

E. Application Review Information:

1. Criteria:

2. Review and Selection Process:

3. Recipient Qualification

F. Award Administration Information:

1. Award Notices:

2. Administrative and National Policy Requirements:

3. Reporting:

G. Agency Contacts:

H. Other Information:

1. CONTRACT Proposals:

2. GRANT and COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT Proposals

I. OVERVIEW OF THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY:

A. Required Overview Content

1. Federal Agency Name(s):

DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory – Army Research Office

Issuing Acquisition Office:

U.S. Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Research Triangle Park Division (ACC-APG RTP Division)

2. Funding Opportunity Title:

Trapped Ions & Neutral Atoms Quantum Computing (TINA QC)

3. Announcement Type: Initial Announcement

4. Research Opportunity Number: W911NF24S0004

5. Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number:

12.431 – Basic Scientific Research

6. Response Dates:

White Papers: 4:00 PM Eastern Time on: 23 January 2024 Proposals: 4:00 PM Eastern Time on: 9 April 2024 See Section II. D. 4 for additional information.

B. Additional Overview Information

This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) which sets forth research areas of interest to the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory- Army Research Office (ARL-ARO) and the National Security Agency (NSA) is issued under paragraph 6.102(d)(2) of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), and 10 U.S.C. 4001, 10 U.S.C. 4021, and 10 U.S.C. 4022 which provides for the competitive selection of basic research proposals. Proposals submitted in response to this BAA and selected for award are considered to be the result of full and open competition and in full compliance with the provision of Public Law 98-369, "The Competition in Contracting Act of 1984" and subsequent amendments.

The Department of Defense agencies involved in this program reserve the right to select for award;

all, some, or none of the proposals submitted in response to this announcement. The participating DoD agencies will provide no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs.

Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. It is the policy of participating DoD agencies to treat all proposals as sensitive, competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

II. DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT THE FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

A. Funding Opportunity Description DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory–Army Research Office (ARL-ARO) in partnership with the Laboratory for Physical Sciences (LPS) is soliciting proposals for research in Trapped Ions & Neutral Atoms Quantum Computing (TINA QC). This is a proposed four-year program and is primarily focused on three topic areas in the field of quantum computing (QC) with trapped ions and neutral atoms.

The topic areas are as follows:

(1) Modular Atoms (MA):

• Primary Research Goal: Advance the state-of-the-art for remote two-qubit gates between two spatially separated modules to enable distributed quantum computing.

(2) Fast Atoms (FA):

• Primary Research Goal: Faster high-fidelity qubit operations, such as two-qubit gates or mid-circuit measurements, that correspondingly improves algorithm run-time.

(3) Versatile Atoms (VA):

• Primary Research Goal: Increase the versatility of atomic qubits through innovative concepts that preserve the advantages of such systems in a multi-qubit setting.

Research proposals to these topics are sought that address the circuit gate-based model of quantum computation, be suitable for universal control in multi-qubit architectures, and make progress towards fault-tolerant quantum computing.

A.1 Background and Overview of TINA QC Trapped ions are a leading approach for qubit encoding in Quantum Computing with some of the highest reported fidelities for single qubit gates (99.9999%, [1]), two-qubit gates (99.94%, [2]), and measurement (>99.99% [3]). Furthermore, complex multi-qubit algorithms have been run on trapped ion systems with up to 32 qubits [4] and have demonstrated some of the most advanced logical qubit encodings to-date [5], [6]. However, many challenges remain, including slow qubit operations (local gates and readout) and limitations on long-range communications (such as across non-contiguous modules) and optimization of all required qubit operations simultaneously (for e.g.; cooling, loading, reset, gates, readout, replacement, transport, among others).

Recently, trapped neutral-atom QC has made rapid progress, trapping large numbers of atoms for entanglement in a single array [7]. Like trapped ions, neutral atoms possess both optical and microwave transitions that can be precisely addressed and manipulated for quantum information processing.

Neutral atom systems have overcome challenges with respect to optical trapping, individual addressing, and destructive measurement limitations. Recent studies have shown neutral atom gate fidelities approaching those of trapped ions, achieving one- and two-qubit fidelity values >99.9% and 99.85% [8] respectively, and demonstrated mid-circuit measurement [9]–[11]. However, as with trapped ions, certain operations such as readout and atom replenishment are slow and often destructive. High-fidelity and high-rate modular demonstrations are still elusive, and simultaneous optimization of all required operations is challenging.

The research topic areas of this BAA aim to address some of the leading challenges discussed above and advance state-of-the-art in both trapped ion and neutral atom QC platforms.

A.2 Detailed Topic Descriptions:

A.2.1 Topic 1: Modular Atoms (MA) A major challenge in quantum computing is the practical limitation of how many qubits one can reliably include in a single system. One architectural solution to this challenge is building many reproducible “modules” (either in the same or separate vacuum systems) and connecting them together quantum mechanically to build a larger QC processor. The research goal of the MA topic is to advance and demonstrate protocols for high-fidelity and high-rate gates between spatially separated qubits, which could be deployed in a such a modular architecture. Both neutral atoms and trapped ions take two main approaches to modular gates [12]–[15]: atom shuttling (aka transport) and photonic interconnects.

However, both methods face significant challenges. Atom transport is limited to local connectivity and while atom transportation schemes have been investigated (for both neutral atoms with optical tweezers [16] and trapped ions with manipulating electrostatic potential [17]), achieving fast deterministic gates between two modules is challenging over large module-to-module distances. On-the-other-hand, photonic interconnects are limited by poor efficiency. The demonstrated fidelity and rate of photonic mediated entangling operations between modules has been limited thus far to 94% at 182 Hz [18] in trapped ion systems, which limits the ability to implement efficient operations across a modular system.

This research topic is soliciting proposals to demonstrate fast and practical remote two-qubit gates between two modules at a rate and fidelity that could enable distributed quantum computing. Proposed solutions may take the form of improved photonic and/or transport-based connectivity, or they may be novel, or previously unexplored methods for implementing long-distance gates. Inclusion of a theoretical analysis to motivate target performance parameters, via studying how specific algorithms could be run on various network topologies, is of interest. At a minimum, proposals responding to this research topic must target demonstration experiments with two modules, with at least two qubits in each module performing the demonstration.

Proposals should consider and define target fidelities and rates as well as articulate a research plan with research milestones throughout the period-of-performance. Furthermore, proposals should detail anticipated challenges associated with the chosen connectivity approach, and detail the plan to predict, measure and analyze gate errors and intrinsic physical limitations and bottlenecks. Figures-of-merit of interest could include crosstalk characterization, measurement fidelities, and additional noise that could be introduced by the chosen method of modular operations. Additionally, performance could be compared to predicted performance from a fully connected equivalent system in a single module.

A.2.2 Topic 2: Faster Atoms (FA) While atomic systems have enabled world-leading operational fidelities, algorithm speeds are currently limited by kHz-rate or slower operations. However, there have been some recent advances in developing faster versions of some qubit operations [3], [19]–[21]. Building upon these recent advances, the research goal of the FA topic is to speed up one or more atomic-qubit operations that would impact total algorithm duration. Examples include two-qubit entangling operations, mid-circuit measurement, initialization, loading/replacement, cooling, and transport. Success would result in a reduction in total runtime (initialization-operation-measurement-initialization). The targeted faster operations should not degrade the ability to perform a high-fidelity universal gate set, and should avoid undesired effects such as crosstalk, loss, and correlated errors.

Proposed research approaches should identify and motivate which operation is the limiting factor in qubit circuit runtime, and detail the proposed approach for improving the chosen operation speed by many factors over current approaches. Proposals should discuss technical challenges associated with achieving these speedups and associated with implementing them in a multi-qubit environment. Of particular interest is exploration of the trade-offs among speed, operation fidelity, and associated multi-qubit compatibility, supported by theory and simulations.

A.2.3 Topic 3: Versatile Atoms (VA):

The majority of quantum computing experiments with cold atoms use a limited number of atomic states in a single atomic species to perform operations such as cooling, loading, reset, gates, and readout. The use of additional atomic states (e.g., shelving [22]) or additional species (e.g., for sympathetic cooling [23], [24]) have been previously demonstrated, but have been implemented sparingly to limit the complexity of the experiments. However, as quantum computing science progresses, the need for that added versatility is becoming increasingly necessary. Recent studies have attempted to increase versatility by moving to multi-species setups [25], [26] to enable more complex operations. By splitting the functionality between “helper” and “data” species, significant improvements in crosstalk, mid-circuit measurement, and even detecting environmental noise [26] have been enabled. In addition, there have been new ideas for taking advantage of auxiliary states within a single atom to increase versatility, such as the recent demonstration of optical-metastable-ground (omg) qubits [20], and Alkaline Earth-like Atoms (AEAs) [21]. The VA topic aims to explore further increases in the versatility of atomic qubits while preserving the strengths of atomic systems such as long lifetimes, robustness, uniformity, and high fidelities. An illustrative but not comprehensive list of approaches to atomic versatility include:

• Using multiple transitions for different operations in a single species, such as omg qubits [27];

• Using novel species such as Alkaline-Earth like atoms (AEAs) [8], [28];

• Converting errors to more amenable types; e.g., noise bias or erasures [28], [29];

• Using multiple atomic species to independently optimize disparate qubit operations [11];

• Utilizing d-dimensional Hilbert space (qudits) [30];

• Using novel encoding schemes, such as Bosonic codes [31].

In the VA topic, the focus is on demonstrating the versatile qubit property in conjunction with high �idelity state preparation, a universal set of qubit gates, and readout. Limitations on gate performance should be carefully characterized using appropriate methods and clearly described in the proposal.

This additional versatility, however, must not come with a degradation of the known, previously discussed, advantages of atomic systems. Proposals must clearly articulate the approach to increasing versatility, the advantages of the approach, the key questions that need to be answered or concepts that need to be proven, compatibility with a universal gate set, and a description of the limitations and key figures-of-merit for the approach. Consideration should be given to how the proposed versatility is extensible to a scalable approach to fault tolerance.

A.3 Proposal Guidance and End-of-Program Research Goals

One central theme of this BAA is for novel research approaches to modular gates, fast operations, and versatile qubits. As discussed above, proposals must include a clear research plan to demonstrate the strength of the chosen approach and propose associated yearly research milestones to chart progress. Consideration should be given and articulated of the compatibility of the approach with a universal set of high-fidelity qubit operations in a multi-qubit environment. Another area of focus for the BAA are approaches that have seen more maturation. For such proposals, teams should consider demonstration of the strength of their approach by running an appropriate circuit, protocol, or algorithm on a multi-qubit system. This end-of-program goal should be motivated in the proposal, including quantifying impacts on overall system performance. Examples of end-of-program goals of interest may include randomized algorithms, GHz state generation, parity checks for error correction, surface codes, or repetition codes. Other end-of-program goals that are focused on illustrating the strengths of the research approach may also be proposed.

Proposals must include all the expertise needed to ensure success of the proposed research goals.

Examples of relevant expertise includes quantum theory, modeling and simulation, quantum control, materials growth, characterization, and device fabrication.

Proposals may address multiple topic areas with clear compelling motivation and includes research that integrates the topic areas, especially with end-of-program research goals. A primary topic area must be identified.

A.4 Out of Scope Topics which fall outside the research scope of this BAA:

• Solid-state qubit approaches, e.g., superconducting qubits, quantum dots, defect centers

• Photonic based quantum computing

• Molecular based quantum computing

• Quantum communication and key distribution

• Quantum annealing

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B. Federal Award Information

Anticipated awards will be made in the form of procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements, Other Transactions Agreements and are subject to the availability of appropriations.

Funding for the second year and beyond will be contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funds.

The Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground, Research Triangle Park (ACC-APG RTP) Division has the authority to award a variety of instruments on behalf of Army Research Laboratory-Army Research Office (ARL-ARO). The ACC-APG RTP Division reserves the right to use the type of instrument most appropriate for the effort proposed. Applicants should familiarize themselves with these instrument types and the applicable regulations before submitting a proposal. Following are brief descriptions of the possible award instruments.

1. Procurement Contract

A legal instrument, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6303, which reflects a relationship between the Federal Government and a State Government, a local government, or other entity/contractor when the principal purpose of the instrument is to acquire property or services for the direct benefit or use of the Federal Government.

Contracts are primary governed by the following regulations:

a. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) https://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far

b. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) https://www.federalregister.gov/defense-federal-acquisition-regulation-supplement-dfars-

c. Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFARS) https://www.acquisition.gov/afars

2. Grant

A legal instrument that, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6304, is used to enter into a relationship:

a. The principal purpose of which is to transfer a thing of value to the recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law or the United States, rather than to acquire property or services for the DoD’s direct benefit or use.

b. In which substantial involvement is not expected between the DoD and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by the grant.

c. No fee or profit is allowed.

3. Cooperative Agreement

A legal instrument which, consistent with 31 U.S.C. 6305, is used to enter into the same kind of relationship as a grant (see definition “grant”), except that substantial involvement is expected between the DoD and the recipient when carrying out the activity contemplated by http://www.acquisition.gov/browse/index/far http://www.federalregister.gov/defense-federal-acquisition-regulation-supplement-dfars-http://www.acquisition.gov/afars the cooperative agreement. The term does not include “cooperative research and development agreements” as defined in 15 U.S.C. 3710a. No fee or profit is allowed.

4. Other Transaction for Research

A legal instrument, consistent with 10 U.S.C. 4021, which may be used for basic, applied, and advanced research projects. The research covered under this instrument cannot be duplicative of research being conducted under an existing DoD program. To the maximum extent practicable, OTs for research are to provide for a 50/50 cost share between the Government and the applicant. An applicant’s cost share may take the form of cash, independent research and development (IR&D), foregone intellectual property rights, equipment, access to unique facilities, and/or other means. Due to the extent of cost share, and the fact that an OT for research does not qualify as a “funding agreement” as defined at 37 CFR 401.2(a), the intellectual property provisions of this instrument can be negotiated to provide expanded protection to an applicant’s intellectual property. No fee or profit is allowed on OTs for research. Please refer to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Other Transaction Guide version

2.0 dated July 2023 for additional information. This document, along with additional other transaction agreement (OTA) resources, may be accessed at the following link:

https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/policy/other-policy-areas.html

5. Other Transaction for Prototype or Production.

A legal instrument, consistent with 10 U.S.C. 4022, which provides DoD the flexibility necessary to adopt and incorporate business practices that reflect commercial industry standards and best practices into its award instruments. OTs for prototypes or production are not FAR-based procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or OTs for Research. OTs for prototypes or production have specific applications and conditions for use (see Appendix C of the Other Transactions Guide linked below). The effort covered under an OT cannot be duplicative of effort being conducted under an existing DoD program. Follow-on production contracts and/or an OT may be awarded to a Prototype Other Transaction Awardee, if applicable. Please refer to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Other Transaction Guide version

2.0 dated July 2023 for additional information. This document, along with other OTA resources, may be accessed at the following link:

https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/policy/other- policy-areas.html

6. Grants and cooperative agreements for Institutions of Higher Education, nonprofit organizations, foreign organizations, and foreign public entities

Legal instruments which are primary governed by the following:

a. Federal statutes.

http://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/policy/other-policy-areas.html http://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/dpc/cp/policy/other-

b. Federal regulations.

c. 2 CFR part 200

d. 2 CFR part 1104.

e. 32 CFR Parts 21, 22, 26, and 28.

f. DoD R&D General Terms and Conditions.

g. Agency Specific Research Terms and Conditions

7. Grants and cooperative agreements for for-profit and nonprofit organizations exempted from Subpart E—Cost Principles of 2 CFR Part 200, are primarily governed by the following:

a. Federal statutes.

b. Federal regulations.

c. 32 CFR Part 34 – Administrative Requirements for Grants and Agreements with For-Profit

Organizations

d. 32 CFR Parts 21, 22, 26, and 28

e. DoD Research and Development General Terms and Conditions

f. Agency-specific Research Terms and Conditions

8. OTs for Research

Legal instruments which are primarily governed by the following:

a. Federal statutes

b. Federal regulations

c. DoD Research and Development General Terms and Conditions

d. Agency-specific Research Terms and Conditions

e. Office of Secretary of Defense implementation guidance titled Other Transactions (OT)

Guide for Research Projects (July 2023, Version 2)

9. OTs for Prototypes or Production

Legal instruments which are primarily governed by the following:

a. Federal statutes

b. Office of Secretary of Defense implementation guidance titled Other Transactions (OT)

Guide for Prototype Projects (July 2023, Version 2)

The following websites may be accessed to obtain an electronic copy of the governing regulations and terms and conditions:

a. FAR, DFARS, and AFARS: https://www.acquisition.gov

b. Code of Federal Regulations (CFR): http://www.ecfr.gov

c. DoD Research and Development General Terms and Conditions:

https://www.nre.navy.mil/work-with-us/manage-your-award/manage-grant-award/grants-terms-conditions

d. Agency-specific Research Terms and Conditions:

https://arl.devcom.army.mil/resources/baa-forms/#terms-and-conditions

C. Eligibility Information

1. Eligible Applicants:

Eligible applicants under this BAA include Institutions of higher education (foreign and domestic), nonprofit organizations, and for-profit concerns (large and small businesses). Proposals are encouraged from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (as determined by the Secretary of Education to meet requirements of Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended (20 U.S.C. §1061)) and from Minority Institutions defined as institutions “whose enrollment of a single minority or a combination of minorities exceeds 50 percent of the total enrollment.” [20 U.S.C. § 1067k(3) and 10 U.S.C. § 2362]. However, no funds are specifically allocated for HBCU/MI participation.

2. Cost Sharing or Matching:

There is no requirement for cost sharing, matching, or cost participation to be eligible for award under this BAA and cost sharing and matching is not an evaluation factor used under this BAA.

3. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs):

Federally Funded Research & Development Centers (FFRDCs), including Department of Energy National Laboratories, are not eligible to receive awards under this BAA. However, teaming arrangements between FFRDCs and eligible principal offerors are allowed so long as such arrangements are permitted under the sponsoring agreement between the Government and the specific FFRDC, and no funds from the award flow to the FFRDC.

D. Application and Submission Information

1. Address to View Broad Agency Announcement

This BAA may be accessed from the following:

http://www.acquisition.gov/ http://www.ecfr.gov/ https://arl.devcom.army.mil/resources/baa-forms/#terms-and-conditions

1) Grants.gov (www.grants.gov)

2) SAM (https://www.SAM.gov)

3) ARL website (https://arl.devcom.army.mil/collaborate-with-us/)

Amendments, if any, to this BAA will be posted to these websites when they occur. Interested parties are encouraged to periodically check these websites for updates and amendments.

The following information is for those wishing to respond to the BAA:

2. Content and Form of Application Submission

a. General Information

A proposal submitted under this BAA must address unclassified fundamental research.

Proposal submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with applicable laws and DoD regulations. Applicants are expected to appropriately mark each page of their submission that contains proprietary information. The participating DoD agencies will provide no funding for direct reimbursement of proposal development costs.

Technical and cost proposals (or any other material) submitted in response to this BAA will not be returned. It is the policy of participating DoD agencies to treat all proposals as sensitive, competitive information and to disclose their contents only for the purposes of evaluation.

Post-Employment Conflict of Interest: There are certain post-employment restrictions on former federal officers and employees, including special government employees (Section 207 of Title 18, U.S.C.). If an applicant believes a conflict of interest may exist, the situation should be discussed with Point of Contact listed in Section G: Agency Contacts, who will then coordinate with appropriate ARO/ARL legal personnel prior to having applicant expend time and effort in preparing a white paper or proposal.

Statement of Disclosure Preference: Please complete ARO Form 52 or 52A stating your preference for release of information contained in your white paper or proposal. Copies of these forms are available at https://arl.devcom.army.mil/resources/baa-forms/ NOTE: A white paper or proposal may be handled for administrative purposes by support contractors. These support contractors are prohibited from competing on BAA proposals and are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements.

Equipment: Normally, title to equipment or other tangible property purchased with Government funds vests with nonprofit institutions of higher education or with nonprofit research organizations if vesting will facilitate scientific research performed for the Government. For profit organizations are expected to possess the necessary plant and equipment to conduct the proposed research. Deviations may be made on a case-by-case basis to allow commercial organizations to purchase equipment but disposition instructions must be followed.

b. Submission of a White Paper http://www.grants.gov/ https://www.sam.gov/ https://arl.devcom.army.mil/collaborate-with-us/ https://arl.devcom.army.mil/resources/baa-forms/

White Papers – Prospective applicants are strongly encouraged to submit White Papers. The purpose of requesting a White Paper is to minimize the labor and cost associated with the production of a detailed proposal that has very little chance of being selected for funding. Based on assessment of the White Papers, feedback will be provided to an applicant to enable that applicant to make a determination as to whether they should submit a proposal. If offerors have not submitted White Papers under the BAA, offerors may still submit full proposals for consideration for funding.

White Paper Format and Content:

• White Papers must be submitted electronically to usarmy.rtp.devcom-arl.mesg.qcbox@army.mil in the following format:

• Single PDF file as an email attachment

• Page Size: 8 ½ x 11 inches

• Margins – 1 inch

• Font – No smaller than Times New Roman, 12 point

• Number of Pages – any pages exceeding the page limits described next will not be evaluated.

White Papers must contain the following:

• Title page. The title page should be labeled “TINA QC BAA White Paper” and should include the BAA number, proposed title, program goal being addressed, Principal Investigator (PI) with telephone number and email address, and an executive summary. (Not to exceed one page.)

• Expected expenditures and justifications. (Not to exceed one page.)

• Curriculum vitae sketches. (Not to exceed one page per key personnel)

• Technical portion including all references and figures. Introduce the problem to be addressed, briefly survey related work, identify key obstacles, outline the proposed solution and well-defined objective, outline the yearly research plan with milestones, and state the impact if successful. (Not to exceed seven pages.)

c. Preparing a Proposal

After White Paper reviews are completed, interested offerors should submit proposals in accordance with the requirements set forth in this BAA.

This format applies to all proposals submitted via email and via Grants.gov. Offerors' proposals should show the location of each section of the proposal, as well as major subdivisions of the project description.

COVER PAGE:

1. A Cover Page is required. For contract proposals submitted by email, use ARO Form 51.

For all Assistance instruments and contract proposals submitted via Grants.gov, use the SF 424 (R&R) Form. Proposals will not be processed without either: (1) a signed Cover Page, ARO Form 51, or (2) a SF 424 (R&R) Form.

2. Should the project be carried out at a branch campus or other component of the submitting organization, that branch campus or component should be identified in the space provided (Block 11 on the ARO Form 51 and Block 12 on the SF424 R&R).

3. The title of the proposed project should be brief, scientifically representative, intelligible to a scientifically literate reader, and suitable for use in the public domain.

4. The proposed duration for which support is requested should be consistent with the program duration of forty-eight months.

5. Specification of a desired starting date for the project is important and helpful however, requested effective dates cannot be guaranteed.

6. Pursuant to 31 U.S.C. 7701, as amended by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 [Section 31001(I)(1), Public Law 104-134] and implemented by 32 CFR 22.420(d), federal agencies shall obtain each awardees’ Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN). The TIN is being obtained for purposes of collecting and reporting on any delinquent amounts that may arise out of an awardees’ relationship with the Government.

7. Offerors must provide their organization's Unique Entity Identifier (UIE) (formerly DUNS).

This number is a nine-digit number assigned by Dun and Bradstreet Information Services. See Section II.D.3 of this BAA for requirements pertaining to the Unique Entity Identifier.

8. Offerors must provide their assigned Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code.

The CAGE Code is a 5-character code assigned and maintained by the Defense Logistics Service Center (DLSC) to identify a commercial plant or establishment.

TABLE OF CONTENTS: Use the following Format for the Proposal Table of Contents, Forms are available at https://arl.devcom.army.mil/resources/baa-forms/

SECTION PAGE NUMBER

Table of Contents A-1 Statement of Disclosure Preference (Form 52 or 52A) B-1 Research & Related Other Project Information B-2 Project Abstract C-1 Project Description (Technical Proposal) D-1 - D- Biographical Sketch E-1 - E- Bibliography F-1 - F- Current and Pending Support G-1 - G- Facilities, Equipment, and Other Resources H-1 - H- Proposal Budget I-1 - I- Contract Facilities Capital Cost of Money (DD Form 1861) J-1 Appendices K- List Appendix Items:

This format applies to proposals submitted via email and via Grants.gov. Offerors' proposals should show the location of each section of the proposal, as well as major subdivisions of the project description.

STATEMENT OF DISCLOSURE PREFERENCE (FORM 52 OR 52A): Complete and sign ARO Form 52 (Industrial Contractors) or ARO Form 52A (Educational and Nonprofit Organizations), form can be found at the following website:

https://arl.devcom.army.mil/resources/baa-forms/

RESEARCH AND RELATED Other Project Information: The form entitled “Research and Related Other Project Information” found at the following website:

https://arl.devcom.army.mil/resources/baa-forms/, shall be completed and signed by all organizations.

PROJECT ABSTRACT:

1. The Project Abstract shall be completed on the form entitled “Publicly Releasable Abstract” found at the following website: https://arl.devcom.army.mil/resources/baa-forms/

2. Unless otherwise instructed in this BAA, the Project Abstract shall include a concise statement of work and basic approaches to be used in the proposed effort. The abstract should include a statement of scientific objectives, methods to be employed, and the significance of the proposed effort to the advancement of knowledge.

3. The abstract should be no longer than one (1) page (maximum 4,000 characters).

4. The project abstract shall be marked by the applicant as publicly releasable. By submission of the project abstract, the applicant confirms that the abstract is releasable to the public. For a proposal that results in a grant award, the project abstract will be posted to a searchable website available to the general public to meet the requirements of Section 8123 of the DoD Appropriations Act, 2015. The website address is https://dodgrantawards.dtic.mil/grants

PROJECT DESCRIPTION (TECHNICAL PROPOSAL) : The technical portion of the proposal shall be no longer than 20 pages including tables and figures, single spaced text, size 12 Times New Roman font with one inch page margins, and shall contain the following:

1. Technical Approach: Introduce the problem to be addressed, survey related work, identify key obstacles, and outline the proposed solution and well-defined objective. Proposals should describe an approach to all technical areas with unambiguous and quantitative milestones. Proposers must justify the utility of the proposed work and highlight its benefits over the current state of the art. Proposals should clearly address the expected key challenges and proposed methods to overcome these difficulties taking into consideration the current state of field. Proposers should set aggressive yearly quantitative milestones that define a path toward the end-of-the-program goals and analyze the impact if successful.

https://dodgrantawards.dtic.mil/grants

2. Project Schedule, Milestones, and Deliverables: A summary of the schedule of events, milestones, and a detailed description of the results and products to be delivered.

3. Management Approach: A discussion of the overall approach to the management of this effort, including brief discussions of: required facilities; relationships with any subawardees and with other organizations; availability of personnel; and planning, scheduling, and control procedures. A brief description of your organization, including if the offeror has extensive government contracting experience. If this information has been previously provided to the ARL/ARO, the information need not be provided again. A statement setting forth this condition should be made.

4. The names of other federal, state, local agencies, or other parties receiving the proposal and/or funding the proposed effort. If none, so state. Concurrent or later submission of the proposal to other organizations will not prejudice its review by the ARL/ARO if we are kept informed of the situation.

5. A statement regarding possible impact, if any, of the proposed effort on the environment considering as a minimum its effect upon water, atmosphere, natural resources, human resources, and any other values.

6. The offeror shall provide a statement regarding the use of Class I and Class II ozone-depleting substances. Ozone-depleting substances mean any substance designated as Class I by EPA, including but not limited chlorofluorocarbons, halons, carbon tetrachloride, and methyl chloroform and any substance designated as Class II by EPA, including but not limited to hydrochlorofluorocarbons. See 40 C.F.R. Part 82 for detailed information. If Class I or II substances are to be utilized, a list shall be provided as part of the offeror's proposal. If none, so state.

7. The type of additional support, if any, requested (e.g., facilities, equipment, and materials).

Government Furnished Information or Equipment (GFI/GFE) available to all proposers is described in A.2.4.

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

1. This Section shall contain the biographical sketches for senior and key personnel only.

a. Primary Principal Investigator: The “Primary” PI provides a single or initial point of communication between the sponsoring agency(s) and the awardee organization(s) about scientific matters. If not otherwise designated, the first PI listed will serve as the “Primary” PI. This individual can be changed with approval of the agency. The sponsoring agency(s) does not infer any additional scientific stature to this role among collaborating investigators.

b. Co-Principal Investigators: The individual(s) a research organization designates as having an appropriate level of authority and responsibility for the proper conduct of the research and submission of required reports to the agency. When an organization designates more than one PI, it identifies them as individuals who share the authority and responsibility for leading and directing the research, intellectually and logistically. The sponsoring agency(s) does not infer any distinction among multiple PIs.

c. Key personnel: The individual(s) a research organization designates as having a high level of technical expertise in the topics proposed to be researched and who will both play an active role in the research and supervise the work of more junior personnel on a daily basis.

2. The following information is required:

a. Relevant experience and employment history including a description of any prior Federal employment within one year preceding the date of proposal submission.

b. List of up to five (5) publications most closely related to the proposed project and up to five

(5) other significant publications, including those being printed. Patents, copyrights, or software systems developed may be substituted for publications.

c. List of persons, other than those cited in the publications list, who have collaborated on a project or a book, article, report or paper within the last four (4) years. Include pending publications and submissions. Otherwise, state "None."

d. Names of each investigator's own graduate or post graduate advisors and advisees. The information provided in "c" and "d" is used to help identify potential conflicts or bias in the selection of reviewers.

e. The time commitment of each senior or key person to this…