Welcome to the Small Business Programs Office
DARPA’s Program Director of Small Business Programs Office administers the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and Small Business Program. These programs reflect DARPA compliance with the small business program goals set by DoD’s Office of Small Business Programs. DoD OSBP is the policy office that advises the Secretary of Defense (OSD) and Under Secretary of Defense (USD) for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (AT&L) on small business acquisition programs. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) maintains Federal government-wide oversight of all small business procurement.
DARPA’s small business program consists of two parts— (1) small business prime contracting and (2) prime contractors' subcontracting with small business concerns.
DARPA’s acquisition strategies are structured to facilitate small business participation, either directly or indirectly, by fostering small business teaming. Under FAR 9.602 (reference (m)), a team arrangement occurs when two or more small businesses form a partnership to compete on a consolidated contract or a potential prime contractor agrees with one or more firms to have them act as subcontractors if the team is awarded a contract. An advantage of teaming is that small business teams can maximize complementary skills, resources, and capabilities to exceed those of any single contractor on the team and minimize their risks.
DARPA uses two solicitation methods: (1) Broad Agency Announcements and (2) Requests for Proposal (RFPs). Most of DARPA’s solicitations are for research and development and are accomplished through the more flexible BAAs. BAAs are a streamlined method used to advertise and solicit contractors for DARPA research interests in certain program areas. See FAR 6.102 and 35.016 (reference (m)) and the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984 (reference (o)).
Although infrequently used, a secondary solicitation method for FAR-based procurement contracts is the RFP. RFPs are a formal competitive means of soliciting proposals in response to government requirements for supplies and services in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold.
Unsolicited Proposals
You are encouraged to make preliminary contacts with appropriate field personnel before preparing a detailed unsolicited proposal or submitting proprietary data. Such contacts can answer questions about the general need for the type of effort contemplated. Neither you nor DARPA should consider such contacts as negotiations in contemplation of any contractual work for DARPA. Because DARPA is composed of Technical Offices with varied responsibilities, preliminary contact will allow ultimate referral to the appropriate organization, saving considerable time and effort.
If you have a competitively available product you want DARPA to consider for purchase, do not submit it as an unsolicited proposal.
CONTENT OF UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS
There is no particular format to be followed in preparation of unsolicited proposals. The proposal should contain the following information to permit consideration in an objective and timely manner:
Basic information including--
Offeror's name and address and type of organization; e.g., profit, nonprofit, educational, small business;
Names and telephone numbers of technical and business personnel to be contacted for evaluation or negotiation purposes;
Identity of proprietary data to be used only for evaluation purposes;
Names of other Federal, State, local agencies, or parties receiving the proposal or funding the proposed effort;
Date of submission; and
- Signature of a person authorized to represent and contractually obligate the offeror;
Technical information including--
Concise title and abstract (approximately 200 words) of the proposed effort;
A reasonably complete discussion stating the objectives of the effort or activity, the method of approach and extent of effort to be employed, the nature and extent of the anticipated results, and the manner in which the work will help to support accomplishment of the agency's mission;
Names and biographical information on the offeror's key personnel who would be involved, including alternates;
Type of support needed from the agency; e.g., facilities, equipment, materials, or personnel resources.
Supporting information including--
Proposed price or total estimated cost for the effort in sufficient detail for meaningful evaluation;
Period of time for which the proposal is valid (a 6-month minimum is suggested);
Type of contract preferred;
Proposed duration of effort;
Brief description of the organization, previous experience in the field, and facilities to be used;
Required statements, if applicable, about organizational conflicts of interest, security clearances, and environmental impacts.
The names and telephone numbers of agency technical or other agency points of contact already contacted regarding the proposal.
LIMITED USE OF DATA
Unsolicited proposals may include proprietary data which you do not want disclosed to the public or used by the Government for any purpose other than proposal evaluation. DoD cannot assume responsibility for use of such data unless it is specifically and clearly marked with the following legend on the title page:
Use and Disclosure of Data
This proposal includes data that shall not be disclosed outside the Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed in whole or in part for any purpose other than to evaluate this proposal. However, if a contract is awarded to this offeror as a result of or in connection with the submission of these data, the Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting contract. This restriction does not limit the Government's right to use information contained in these data if they are obtained from another source without restriction. The data subject to this restriction are contained in Sheets________.
You must also mark each restricted sheet with the following legend: "Use or disclosure of data contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal."
Or you must clearly state in writing that no restrictions are placed on the disclosure or use of the data contained in the proposal.
