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?
Please reference page 6, Section 3 “Application and Submission Information” of Exploration Announcement (EA) Master Solicitation for Advanced Research Concepts (ARC), DARPA-EA-23-01, Amendment 3 dated May 3, 2023, 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 “Attachment_A_-_Abstract_Template_Amendment_3”.
Previous amendments and attachments to those amendments are no longer applicable.
Can offerors propose multiple researchers in one abstract, so long as their time on the effort add up to 1 FTE for a year?
Yes, you may propose multiple researchers so long as their total hours add up to 1 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, 1 person for a year, or 2 people at 100% for 6 months.
Please reference the quoted paragraphs found on pages 3 and 4 of Exploration Announcement (EA) Master Solicitation for Advanced Research Concepts (ARC), DARPA-EA-23-01, Amendment 3 dated May 3, 2023, for additional guidance.
Page 3, section 1 Overview Information states:
- “Funding Scope: The aggregate level-of-effort for proposed research concepts must be equivalent to one full-time equivalent (FTE) and 12 months. 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. Only minimal variation to this requirement will be accepted.”
Page 4, section 2.1 Introduction states:
- “The aggregate level of effort for a proposed research concept must be equivalent to one full- time (FTE) and 12 months.”
Page 5, section 2.2 Arc Structure states:
- “The aggregate level of effort for a proposed research concept must be equivalent to one full-time equivalent (FTE) for 12 months. Only minimal variation to this requirement will be accepted. 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 meet the one FTE, 12-month requirement. The maximum period of performance is 12 months. Specific technical objectives to be achieved will be addressed in each ARC Opportunity.”
Can offerors propose multiple researchers in one abstract, where they are not dedicating a majority of their time to the effort during the POP, so long as their time on the effort add up to 1 FTE for a year?
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.
Does the period of performance need to be 1 year?
No. For example, two individuals working full time for six months on an effort would meet the one FTE, 12-month requirement.
Do the proposed individuals need to be affiliated with the prime contractor during the entire period of performance?
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, DARPA-EA-23-01, Amendment 3 dated May 3, 2023, 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.
Can a graduate student submit a proposal and include a faculty member as a supervisor?
Yes, please see the answer to Question #2.
In addition, for educational institutions: 1 FTE could be a graduate student for a full year at the maximum level allowed by the school (normally less than 100%), and that we will allow some summer faculty support.
The maximum our university allows for a graduate student is only 50%. Can I propose 2 graduate students to meet the 1 FTE requirement?
If the maximum time allowed by the university is 50% for student research, that is considered 1FTE as stated in Question #6.
What kind of reporting requirements or expectations will apply to researchers if we are selected?
Milestone and deliverable information can be found in section II, paragraphs C and D of individual ARC Opportunities; for example, Separation and Purification of Rare Earth Elements (SPREE), DARPA-EA-23-01-02.
C. Schedule of Milestones
The following 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.
- Quarterly technical report and status meeting: Each report should detail progress towards all research objectives and should include a master document that refers to associated explanatory presentation slides; design documents; algorithms; models; modeling data and results; and model validation data, publications, and software source code with full documentation, as needed.
- Final report: The final report should summarize all work completed on the project.
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.
- Quarterly summary reports. Reports should summarize the required quarterly technical report (see Section II.C above) and include a financial summary that spans the prior three (3) months
Is there a limit for the number of ARC abstracts that can be submitted by a single institution?
Section 3.1, pg. 7 of Amendment 3 in DARPA-EA-23-01 dated May 3, 2023 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.
My abstract was not selected, but I believe I can address feedback provided by the government. Can I resubmit a revised abstract?
Yes, as long as you resubmit before the solicitation closing date.
Is ARC funding available for *non* US-based organizations?
Yes, per DARPA EA-23-01 Amendment 3 dated May 3, 2023, 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
Can a team include a primary performer from one institution and an advisor or performer from another institution?
No, per pages 4 and 5 of the DARPA EA-23-01 Amendment 3 dated May 3, 2023, subawardees are not permitted in any proposed effort.
Page 4, section 2.1 Funding Opportunity Description states:
- “The aggregate level of effort for a proposed research concept must be equivalent to one fulltime equivalent (FTE) and 12 months. 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 $10,000 or less of materials, equipment, and Other Direct Costs (ODC). Travel and publication costs may not be proposed. No subawardees are permitted. 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.”
Are consultants allowed?
No, consultants would be considered a subcontractor/subawardee.
If 1 FTE of the proposed researcher exceeds $300K, can their organization cover the additional costs?
Yes, per page 3 of DARPA EA-23-01 Amendment 3 dated May 3, 2023, resource sharing is allowable.
Page 3, section 1 Overview Information states:
- “While resource sharing is not expected, it may be offered in the proposal. Any proposed resource share must be directly applicable to effort. Any costs proposed beyond the $300,000 in Government funding will be the responsibility of the performer.”
If DARPA chooses to fund another Government agency through this opportunity, would DARPA issue a Research Other Transaction?
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.
Can a team include performers from two or more organizations?
No, teaming with other organizations is not allowed as one of the organizations would be a subawardee. Per DARPA EA-23-01 Amendment 3 dated May 3, 2023, subawardees are not permitted in any proposed effort.
Page 4, section 2.1 Funding Opportunity Description states:
- “The aggregate level of effort for a proposed research concept must be equivalent to one fulltime equivalent (FTE) and 12 months. 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 $10,000 or less of materials, equipment, and Other Direct Costs (ODC). Travel and publication costs may not be proposed. No subawardees are permitted. 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.”
Can two organizations collaborate to submit an abstract under one opportunity?
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 DARPA EA-23-01 Amendment 3 dated May 3, 2023, subawardees are not permitted in any proposed effort.
Page 4, section 2.1 Funding Opportunity Description states:
- “The aggregate level of effort for a proposed research concept must be equivalent to one fulltime equivalent (FTE) and 12 months. 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 $10,000 or less of materials, equipment, and Other Direct Costs (ODC). Travel and publication costs may not be proposed. No subawardees are permitted. 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.”
Is the closing date listed in each ARC Opportunity when all proposals are due?
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, DARPA-EA-23-01. 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.
The master ARC Exploration Announcement, DARPA-EA-23-01, Amendment 3 section 3.1 “Abstracts” it states “Bibliography: The bibliography does not count against the five (5) page limit. Do not include links to websites.” And in Attachment A “Abstract Template” it states “Bibliography (Optional) [Provide a brief (no more than 1 page) bibliography with links to relevant papers, references, reports, etc.]” Are links accepted or not accepted?
The instructions in the master ARC Exploration Announcement takes precedence over the templates included as attachments.
In the Master solicitation, you mention "maximum two references", do you mean letters of commitment from people outside the proposing organization? Should I provide one or two letters from other organizations explaining that they are strongly supportive of the project?
“References” were listed in previous versions of the Master Solicitation. References are now listed as “technical papers”:
Section 3.1 “Abstracts” states: "Proposers may attach a maximum of two technical papers to the submission and are not counted towards the five (5) page limit."
We would like to submit an abstract but still do not have a Unique Entity ID number. How can we submit?
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. 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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