Advanced Research Concepts (ARC)

Please review our frequently asked questions before emailing the relevant ARC inbox.

1. There are multiple amendments and attachments to the Master Solicitation. With all the different files, I am not sure how to prepare and submit an abstract to a released Opportunity. What do I need to do?
A: Please reference page 6, Section 3 “Application and Submission Information” of Exploration Announcement (EA) Master Solicitation for Advanced Research Concepts (ARC) for guidance. 

Per this amendment, Attachment A is what needs to be submitted in accordance with the submission instructions. The format of your submission should reflect the instructions in the most recent “Attachment_A_-_Abstract_Template”. 

Previous amendments and attachments to those amendments are no longer applicable.

2. Can offerors propose multiple researchers in one abstract, so long as their time on the effort add up to one FTE for a year?
A: Yes, you may propose multiple researchers so long as their total hours add up to one FTE. The intent of ARCs is to enable an individual or few individuals thoroughly explore novel ideas. As such, it is expected that any proposed individuals will be working at near full-time on the effort over the duration of the contract. For example, one person for a year, or two people at 100% for six months.

Please reference the quoted paragraphs found on page 3 of Exploration Announcement (EA) Master Solicitation for Advanced Research Concepts (ARC), for additional guidance.

• Page 3, section 1 Overview Information states: “Funding Scope: ARC topics are designed for ideas that would take a full year effort (one full time equivalent (FTE) over a one-year period) to properly validate. Multiple researchers from the same organization may be proposed, however it is expected that the individual(s) working on the proposed idea primarily focus on the effort for the entire period of performance to the maximum extent practical.”
• Page 5, section 2.2 ARC-Structure states: “The aggregate level of effort for a proposed research concept is expected to be equivalent to one full-time equivalent (FTE) for 12 months. Multiple researchers from the same organization may be proposed; however, DARPA expects that the individual(s) working on the proposed idea primarily focus on the effort for the entire period of performance to the maximum extent practical. For example, two individuals working full time for six months on an effort would be considered equivalent to one FTE. The maximum period of performance is 12 months. Specific technical objectives to be achieved will be addressed in each ARC Opportunity.”

3. Can offerors propose multiple researchers in one abstract, where they are not dedicating a majority of their time to the effort during the period of performance, so long as their time on the effort add up to one FTE for a year?
A: The goal of an ARC topic is to quickly explore the viability of new ideas related to a topic with a single or few individuals dedicating a majority of their time to the effort during the period of performance. Deviations from this are acceptable as long as all proposed personnel are part of the technical team.

4. Does the period of performance need to be one year?
A: No. For example, two individuals working full time for six months on an effort would meet the one FTE, 12-month expectation.

5. Do the proposed individuals need to be affiliated with the prime contractor during the entire period of performance?
A: Yes. If a company/institution is issued a Research Other Transaction, the researchers must remain employed by the prime contractor. Please reference the quoted paragraph found on page 6 of EA Master Solicitation for ARC for additional guidance.

• Page 6, section 2.2 ARC Structure states: “The milestone payments will be contingent on the proposed individual(s) continuing work on the proposed ARC idea for the entire Period of Performance at their proposed level-of-effort (LOE).”

Also, subawardees are not permitted. See question and answer #12.

6. Can a graduate student submit a proposal and include a faculty member as a supervisor
A: Yes, please see the answer to question #2.

In addition, for educational institutions: One FTE could be a graduate student for a full year at the maximum level allowed by the school (normally less than 100%), and we will allow some summer faculty support.

7. The maximum our university allows for a graduate student is only 50%. Can I propose two graduate students to meet the one FTE requirement?
A: If the maximum time allowed by the university is 50% for student research, that is considered one FTE as stated in question #6.

8. What kind of reporting requirements or expectations will apply to researchers if we are selected?
A: Milestone and deliverable information can be found in section II, paragraphs C and D of individual ARC Opportunities.

• C. Schedule of Milestones
  The specific milestones and due dates are common to all Abstracts and OPPs (see above for technical details and Section III.A below for additional information on milestones):

  Kick-off meeting: Should define the technical approach and steps forward.

• D. Reporting Requirements
  Performers will be expected to provide, at a minimum, the following reports:

  Monthly technical updates and financial reports. These reports should include progress to plan.

9. Is there a limit for the number of ARC abstracts that can be submitted by a single institution?
A: Section 3.1, page 7 of the EA Master Solicitation for ARC states: “Organizations may submit multiple Abstracts, but since individuals are expected to be proposed at or near full-time for each effort, an individual may not be Key Personnel on more than one OT award simultaneously. In addition, multiple abstracts or OPPs proposing the same individual as Key Personnel will not be reviewed concurrently. If the Government receives an Abstract with an individual proposed as Key Personnel while another Abstract or OPP is under review with the same individual, the subsequent Abstract will be deemed non-conforming.”

There are no institutional limits identified in the announcement. The restriction is in the Key Personnel proposed.

10. My abstract was not selected, but I believe I can address feedback provided by the government. Can I resubmit a revised abstract?
A: Yes, as long as you resubmit before the solicitation closing date.

11. Is ARC funding available for *non* US-based organizations?
A: Yes, per the EA Master Solicitation for ARC, on page 13, section 6.1.2: “Non-U.S. organizations and or individuals may participate to the extent that such participants comply with necessary nondisclosure agreements, security regulations export control laws, and other governing statues applicable under the circumstances.”

Note: all ARC opportunities are subject to the availability of funding not based on performer’s location

12. Can a team include a primary performer from one institution and an advisor or performer from another institution?
A: No, per page 5 of the EA Master Solicitation for ARC, subawardees are not permitted in any proposed effort.

• Page 5, section 2.2 ARC Structure states: “The maximum total award value of each ARC award is $300,000 in Government funding, inclusive of direct and indirect costs. Proposed costs are limited to $20,000 or less of materials, equipment, and Other Direct Costs (ODC). No travel and publication costs are permitted. No subawardees are permitted. All awards made as a result of an ARC Opportunity issued under this EA will be Research OTs awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4021.”

13. Are consultants allowed?
A: No, consultants would be considered a subcontractor/subawardee.

14. If one FTE of the proposed researcher exceeds $300,000, can their organization cover the additional costs?
A: Yes, per page 3 of the EA Master Solicitation for ARC, resource sharing is allowable.

• Page 3, section 1 Overview Information states: “While resource sharing is not expected, it may be offered in the proposal."

15. If DARPA chooses to fund another Government agency through this opportunity, would DARPA issue a Research Other Transaction?
A: No, DARPA would not issue a Research Other Transaction to another Government agency in this scenario. If selected, DARPA would issue a Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requisition (MIPR) based on a Statement of Work that aligns with the requirements listed in the solicitation. The requirements listed in the solicitation will still apply.

16. Can a team include performers from two or more organizations?
A: No, teaming with other organizations is not allowed as one of the organizations would be a subawardee. Per EA Master Solicitation for ARC, subawardees are not permitted in any proposed effort.

• Page 4, section 2.1 Funding Opportunity Description states: “ARC topics are designed for ideas that nominally would take a full year effort to properly validate and expects the aggregate level of effort for a proposed research concept to be equivalent to one fulltime equivalent (FTE) and 12 months, with the total cost ranging from $100,000 to $300,000. DARPA understands not all ideas and organizations may fit in this parameter range and may decide to work with a proposer to ensure truly innovative ideas can be explored with the required resources. Subawardees are not permitted.”
• Page 5, section 2.2 ARC Structure states: “The maximum total award value of each ARC award is $300,000 in Government funding, inclusive of direct and indirect costs. Proposed costs are limited to $20,000 or less of materials, equipment, and Other Direct Costs (ODC). No travel and publication costs are permitted. No subawardees are permitted, all proposed individuals must be from the same organization. All awards made as a result of an ARC Opportunity issued under this EA will be Research Other Transactions (OTs) awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4021.”

17. Can two organizations collaborate to submit an abstract under one opportunity?
A: No, this would be considered teaming, in which one organization would be a subawardee, which is not allowed under the master solicitation. If you and someone from another organization want to propose, you will need to each submit independent proposals that will be evaluated independently. They will be reviewed as separate submissions and must stand alone. Per EA Master Solicitation for ARC, subawardees are not permitted in any proposed effort.

• Page 5, section 2.2 ARC Structure states: “The maximum total award value of each ARC award is $300,000 in Government funding, inclusive of direct and indirect costs. Proposed costs are limited to $20,000 or less of materials, equipment, and Other Direct Costs (ODC). No travel and publication costs are permitted. No subawardees are permitted. All awards made as a result of an ARC Opportunity issued under this EA will be Research OTs awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. § 4021.”

18. Is the closing date listed in each ARC Opportunity when all proposals are due?
A: The closing date listed in each ARC Opportunity is the last day that abstracts will be accepted for evaluation for that specific ARC Opportunity. No abstracts will be accepted after the end of the submission period. Abstracts submitted to an ARC Opportunity will be evaluated on a rolling basis in accordance with the latest amendment issued against the master ARC Exploration Announcement. Invitations to submit an Oral Proposal Package will outline specific due dates which are not listed in the opportunity announcement.

It is strongly recommended that abstracts be submitted as early as possible. Abstracts will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the closing date may be adjusted (moved up) depending on the availability of funding.

19. The master ARC Exploration Announcement, “Abstracts” it states “Bibliography: The bibliography does not count against the five page limit. Do not include links to websites.” And in Attachment A “Abstract Template” it states “Bibliography (Optional) [Provide a brief (no more than one page) bibliography with links to relevant papers, references, reports, etc.]” Are links accepted or not accepted?
A: The instructions in the master ARC Exploration Announcement takes precedence over the templates included as attachments.

20. We would like to submit an abstract but still do not have a Unique Entity ID number. How can we submit?
A: The SAM.gov-issued UEI Number is not required in order to create an account on baa.darpa.mil and submit an abstract. Please note that we are only requesting abstract submissions and abstracts are only accepted via baa.darpa.mil. Do not submit an abstract via email; they will not be reviewed. Full proposals may be submitted later if an invitation is received as a result of abstract review.

A UEI is required for award, please register as soon as possible to avoid delay.

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