This Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeks revolutionary research ideas for topics not being addressed by ongoing I2O programs or other published solicitations.

Potential proposers are highly encouraged to visit the I2O technical office page (https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/i2o) to view current and upcoming I2O programs and solicitations in order to avoid proposing efforts that duplicate existing activities or that are responsive to other published I2O solicitations.

Broad Agency Announcement: Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide

This publication constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016 and 2 CFR § 200.203. Any resultant award negotiations will follow all pertinent law and regulation, and any negotiations and/or awards for procurement contracts will use procedures under FAR 15.4, Contract Pricing, as specified in the BAA.

Broad Agency Announcement Information Innovation Office Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide HR001126S0001 November 28, 2025

1. OVERVIEW INFORMATION

• Federal Agency Name: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Information Innovation Office I2O
• Funding Opportunity Title: Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide
• Funding Opportunity Number: HR001126S0001
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Assistance Listing Number: 12.910
• Dates/Time: All Times are Eastern Time Zone (ET)
  • Posting Date: November 28, 2025
  • Proposers Day: To be announced via Special Notice
  • Proposal Abstract Due Date: Abstracts may be submitted on a rolling basis until November 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM
  • Proposal Due Date: Proposals may be submitted on a rolling basis until November 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM
• Submission Requirements: An Abstract must be submitted and an invitation to submit a Proposal must be received, prior to any Proposal submission. A proposal will not be reviewed if it is submitted without:
  1. Submitting an abstract, and
  2. Receiving an invitation to submit a Proposal.
• Anticipated Individual Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated.
• Types of Instruments that may be Awarded: Procurement Contract, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype Agreement, OT for Research Agreement
• DARPA welcomes engagement from non-traditional sources in addition to current DARPA performers. DARPA is willing and able to work with a potential performer to identify a contracting arrangement that benefits everyone. See Section 6: Special Considerations for additional information.
• Cost Sharing Requirements: In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022, cost sharing may be required for OT for Prototype or OT for Research Agreements
• NAICS Code: 541715
• Questions and Answers (Q&As): All administrative, technical, and award questions should be emailed to the Agency Point of Contact (POC) stated below. All questions must be written in English.
• Agency POC: The BAA Coordinator for this effort may be reached at:
  • HR001126S0001@darpa.mil
  • DARPA/ I2O
  • ATTN: HR001126S0001
  • 675 North Randolph Street
  • Arlington, VA 22203-2114

Attachments to this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA):

• I2O Office Wide Abstract Template
• Classified Submission Requirements, Instructions, and Procedures
• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
• Model Contracts and Agreements Zip File
  • Cooperative Agreement
    • Cooperative Agreement Certifications
    • Template-CRADA
  • OT for Prototype Agreement
    • Sample Certifications
    • Sample OT (P)- Cost Share Fixed Flexible Based
    • Sample OT (P)- Fixed Support Nontraditional
    • Sample OT (P)- Fixed Support Traditional Cost Share
    • Sample OT (P)- Fixed Flexible Based Approach
    • Sample OT (P)- Streamlined Fixed
  • OT for Research Agreement
    • Sample Certifications
    • Sample OT (R)- Fixed Support Company
    • Sample OT (R)- Fixed Flexible Company
    • Sample OT (R)- Streamlined Fixed
  • Procurement Contract
    • Baseline Model- Large Business Contract
    • Baseline Model- Possible Additional Contract Clauses
    • Baseline Model- Small Business Contract
    • Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements

2. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION

The Information Innovation Office (I2O) creates groundbreaking science and delivers future capabilities in the information and computational domains to surprise adversaries and maintain enduring advantage for national security. I2O efforts typically address one or more of the following key thrust areas:

Transformative AI

We seek to invest in trustworthy, disruptive artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and methodologies relevant to national security. We define trustworthy systems as ones that operate competently, interact appropriately with humans, and behave ethically and morally.

Resilient, Adaptable, and Secure Software and Complex Systems

We believe a world without software vulnerabilities is possible. We seek to use formal methods and third-wave AI to make it easier to understand, build, update, repair, and restore complex software and cyber-physical systems with multi-system-wide, security-relevant correctness guarantees. We also seek methods to provide continuing operation of a system under duress. Techniques and tools are provided as open-source software for use by the research and software development communities, the defense industrial base (DIB), and the Department of Defense (DoD). Example systems are large scale manufacturing, financial systems, large scale infrastructure, and transportation systems.

Offensive and Defensive Cyber Security and Privacy

We're leveraging advances in state-of-the-art AI and secure and resilient tools and technologies to produce trustworthy cyber capabilities that operate beyond human capacity and speed. We seek capabilities to assure the privacy of users and user information and actions. Our efforts anticipate adversary countermeasures to create enduring capabilities.

Fighting in the Information Domain

We focus on measuring the health of and protecting and detecting attacks on the information domain, broadly construed. Our research portfolio spans many levels:

• Cognitive: Beliefs and attitudes
• Semantic: Knowledge that's specialized to particular domains, e.g., scientific discourse, the financial system, supply chains, and other areas
• Tracking: Recording the digital artifacts of interactions with the myriad digital devices required by modern life
• Transport: Delivery of electronic messages in many forms and with various gradations of observability

I2O may also consider submissions outside these thrust areas if the proposal involves the development of novel capabilities having a promise to provide decisive information or computational advantage for the United States and its allies. I2O seeks unconventional approaches that are outside the mainstream, challenge accepted assumptions, and have the potential to change established practices radically. Proposed research should enable revolutionary advances in science, technology, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of the art.

I2O collaborates with other DARPA technical offices, in some cases acting as the recipient of significant emerging technologies and, in other cases, serving as a catalyst by identifying relevant new external technology trends and capabilities. Novel methods are sought to build technical communities and tap into sources of innovation both inside and outside traditional DoD performer communities. However, proposers may not propose work (1) they have already completed, nor (2) for which they have already received funding or a positive funding decision from DARPA or another Government agency. I2O encourages efforts that are creative and agile both in terms of the technologies proposed and in the structure of the approach (e.g., shorter periods of performance).

3. SECURITY

3.1 CLASSIFIED WORK

Proposed work could potentially involve access to or the generation of classified information. Proposals that anticipate classified work will include a security plan. The security plan will detail how the team's security capabilities will enable the technical plan (facilities, key personnel clearances, networks, security personnel assigned to support), as well as identify possible security challenges and proposed solution(s) unique to the proposer team and technical plan. Common program security requirements and challenges include but are not limited to: classified IT systems, classified facility construction and accreditation, operational security (OPSEC), Intelligence Oversight (IO), contracting/sub-contracting, foreign participation or materials utilization, range utilization and support plans (air, sea, land, space, and cyber), data dissemination, asset transportation, classified test activity, and classified material/asset disposition. The security plan does not count as part of the 5-page limit.

3.2 UNCLASSIFIED SUBMISSIONS

Unclassified abstracts must be submitted through the DARPA Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT). Unclassified proposals must be submitted through BAAT or Grants.gov. Please visit Proposer Instructions: General Terms and Conditions for specific information regarding submission methods through BAAT.

3.3 CLASSIFIED SUBMISSIONS

Classified abstracts and proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements, instructions, and procedures contained within the Classified Submission Requirements, Instructions, and Procedures attachment. Classified submissions must NOT be submitted through BAAT or Grants.gov.

3.4 DARPA FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH RISK-BASED SECURITY (FRRBS) REVIEW

It is DoD policy that the publication of products of fundamental research will remain unrestricted to the maximum extent possible. National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 189 defines fundamental research as follows:

'Fundamental research' means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons.

Proposers should indicate in their proposal whether they believe the scope of the research included in their proposal is fundamental or not. While proposers should clearly explain the intended results of their research, the Government shall have sole discretion to determine whether the proposed research shall be considered fundamental research, to select the award instrument type, regardless of the instrument type proposed, and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees. Appropriate language will be included in resultant awards for non-fundamental research to prescribe publication requirements and other restrictions, as applicable. For additional information, please see - https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-transactions

All submissions proposing fundamental research that are requesting a Grant, Cooperative Agreement, or OT Agreement must complete the FRRBS forms found in the proposal package as part of their proposal submission.

4. SUBMISSION INFORMATION

This announcement allows for multiple award instrument types to be awarded, including Procurement Contracts, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and OT Agreements. Some award instrument types have specific cost-sharing requirements. The following websites are incorporated by reference and contain additional information regarding overall proposer instructions, general terms and conditions, and each specific award instrument type.

Proposers must review the following links as they are part of this solicitation:

• Proposer Instructions: General Terms and Conditions: https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-general-terms
• Procurement Contracts: https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/procurement-contracts
• Assistance (Grants and Cooperative Agreements): https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/grants-agreements
• OT Agreements: https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-transactions

Proposal abstracts and full proposals that are not found to be applicable to HR001126S0001, as defined above, may be deemed non-conforming and removed from consideration. All abstracts and proposals must provide sufficient information to assess the validity/feasibility of their claims as well as comply with the requirements outlined herein for submission formatting, content, and transmission to DARPA. Abstracts and full proposals that fail to do so may be deemed non-conforming and removed from consideration.

For the purposes of this solicitation, only submissions deemed conforming and relevant will receive a detailed scientific review. Conformance and relevance, first and foremost, require that submissions address one or more of the I2O thrust areas and/or propose revolutionary advances in information or computational science, technology, or systems. Additional conformance and relevance factors include whether the overall goal of the proposed effort, if achieved, would create technology significantly beyond the state-of-the-art; whether the timetable for achieving results is appropriate for a mission agency such as DARPA; and whether the cost, scale, and scope of work are commensurate with I2O resources and priorities.

4.1 ABSTRACT SUBMISSIONS

This announcement contains a required abstract phase. Proposers must submit an abstract in response to this solicitation to be invited to submit a proposal. Abstract submissions are accepted on a rolling basis as stated in Section 1. DARPA will respond to abstracts with a statement as to whether DARPA is interested in the idea. If DARPA does not invite the proposer to submit a full proposal, DARPA will provide feedback to the proposer regarding the rationale for this decision. Proposers should note that an invitation to submit a full proposal is not a guarantee that a proposal based on the abstract will ultimately be selected for award negotiation.

Additional instructions for abstract submissions including content and formatting requirements, are contained within the Abstract Template.

All UNCLASSIFIED abstract submissions must be submitted to DARPA's BAAT. Please visit Proposer Instructions and General Terms and Conditions for specific information regarding submission methods through BAAT. Please note, BAAT is a method of secure transmission for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) documentation. Submissions sent through other mediums, channels, or after the prescribed deadline will not be accepted.

Please see Section 3.3 for information and requirements for classified abstract submissions.

4.2 PROPOSAL SUBMISSIONS

Full proposals are accepted as stated in Section 1. A full proposal submission must include the following:

• I2O OW Volume I (Technical and Management)
• I2O OW Volume II (Cost)
• I2O OW Proposal Summary Slide

The DARPA Standard Cost Spreadsheet is strongly encouraged but not required as part of a full submission.

After receipt and evaluation of an abstract, offerors invited to propose will be provided with additional instructions for proposal submissions, including content and formatting requirements.

Submissions requesting Grants or Cooperative Agreements may be submitted through Grants.gov. All other UNCLASSIFIED proposals are to be submitted to DARPA's BAAT. Please visit Proposer Instructions and General Terms and Conditions for specific information regarding submission methods through BAAT. Please note that BAAT is a method of secure transmission for CUI documentation. Submissions sent through other mediums, channels, or after the prescribed deadline will not be accepted.

Please refer to Section 3.3 for information and requirements regarding classified proposal submissions.

4.3 MODEL CONTRACTS AND MODEL OT AGREEMENTS

The Government strongly encourages proposers to make red-lined edits (track-changes are sufficient) to the appropriate Model Cooperative Agreement, Model Contract, or Model OT Agreement found in the Model Contracts and Agreements zip file that the proposer's organization would like to negotiate if selected for award negotiations. Red-line edits should be accompanied by a comment box explaining the context for the requested change. Proposers should submit the edited Model Contract or Model OT Agreement with their proposal submission.

4.4 COMMON DISCLOSURE FORMS FOR FRRBS REVIEW

As stated in Section 3.4, all submissions proposing fundamental research that are requesting a Grant, Cooperative Agreement, or OT Agreement must complete and return the common forms found in the proposal package as part of their proposal submission.

5. EVALUATION CRITERIA

Proposals will be evaluated using the following criteria listed in descending order of importance.

• Overall Scientific and Technical Merit; Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission; Plans to Implement Resilient Software, and Cost Realism.
  • Overall Scientific and Technical Merit: The proposed technical approach is innovative, feasible, achievable, and complete. The proposed technical team has the expertise and experience to accomplish the proposed tasks. Task descriptions and associated technical elements provided are complete and in a logical sequence with all proposed deliverables clearly defined such that a final outcome that achieves the goal can be expected as a result of award. The proposal identifies major technical risks and planned mitigation efforts are clearly defined and feasible.
  • Potential Contribution and Relevance to the DARPA Mission: The potential contributions of the proposed effort bolster the national security technology base and support DARPA’s mission to make pivotal early technology investments that create or prevent technological surprise.
  • Plans to Implement Resilient Software: When applicable, the proposal clearly demonstrates the capability to design, implement, and deliver resilient software capabilities within its technical approach. The proposed software implementation approach is feasible and achievable. The approach ensures interoperability, security, and the ability to meet mission objectives at the DoD, DARPA, and program levels. When appropriate, the approach uses formal methods to work towards the goal of eliminating virtually all software vulnerabilities.
  • Cost Realism: The proposed costs are realistic for the technical and management approach and accurately reflect the technical goals and objectives of the solicitation. The proposed costs are consistent with the proposer's Statement of Work and reflect a sufficient understanding of the costs and level of effort needed to successfully accomplish the proposed technical approach. The costs for the prime proposer and proposed sub-awardees are substantiated by the details provided in the proposal (e.g., the type and number of labor hours proposed per task, the types and quantities of materials, equipment and fabrication costs, travel and any other applicable costs and the basis for the estimates). It is expected that the effort will leverage all available relevant prior research in order to obtain the maximum benefit from the available funding. For efforts with a likelihood of commercial application, appropriate direct cost sharing may be a positive factor in the evaluation. DARPA recognizes that undue emphasis on cost may motivate proposers to offer low-risk ideas with minimum uncertainty and to staff the effort with junior personnel in order to be in a more competitive posture. DARPA discourages such cost strategies.

Unless otherwise specified in this announcement, for additional information on how DARPA reviews and evaluates proposals through the Scientific Review Process, please visit: Proposer Instructions: General Terms and Conditions.

6. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

• This announcement, stated attachments, and websites incorporated by reference constitute the entire solicitation. In the event of a discrepancy between the announcement, attachments, or websites, the announcement takes precedence.
• All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs, including both U.S. and non-U.S. sources, may submit a proposal that shall be considered by DARPA. Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses and Minority Institutions are encouraged to submit proposals and join others in submitting proposals; however, no portion of this announcement will be set aside for these organizations’ participation due to the impracticality of reserving discrete or severable areas of this research for exclusive competition among these entities. Non-U.S. organizations and/or individuals may participate to the extent that such participants comply with any necessary nondisclosure agreements, security regulations, export control laws, and other governing statutes applicable under the circumstances.
• Instructions for classified submissions are contained within Attachment E: Classified Submission Requirements, Instructions and Procedures. For a full proposal that includes both classified and unclassified information, the proposal may be separated into an unclassified and a classified portion. The proposal should use the unclassified portion to the maximum extent practicable. Instructions regarding a combined classification submission are contained within the Classified Submission Requirements, Instructions, and Procedures attachment.
• DARPA encourages technical solutions from all responsible sources capable of satisfying the government's needs. To ensure fair competition across the ecosystem, DARPA prohibits contractors/performers from concurrently providing Systems Engineering Technical Assistance (SETA), Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), or similar support services and being a technical performer, unless the DARPA Deputy Director grants a written waiver. DARPA extends this prohibition to University-Affiliated Research Centers (UARCs) and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) including National Labs, who as a result of their specialized expertise and areas of competencies, are able to accomplish integral tasks that cannot be met by government or contractor resources. Therefore, these entities are highly discouraged from proposing against this solicitation as award to a UARC or FFRDC will only be made by exception. UARCs and FFRDCs interested in this solicitation, either as a prime or a subcontractor, must contact the Agency POC listed in the Overview section prior to the proposal (or abstract) due date to discuss potential participation as part of the government team or eligibility as a technical performer.
• As of the date of publication of this solicitation, the Government cannot identify whether the work under this solicitation may be considered fundamental research and may award both fundamental and non-fundamental research. For additional information on fundamental research, please visit Proposer Instructions: General Terms and Conditions.
• Proposers should indicate in their proposal whether they believe the scope of the research included in their proposal is fundamental or not. While proposers should clearly explain the intended results of their research, the Government shall have sole discretion to determine whether the proposed research shall be considered fundamental and to select the award instrument type. Appropriate language will be included in resultant awards for non-fundamental research to prescribe publication requirements and other restrictions, as appropriate. This language can be found at http://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/additional-baa.
• For certain research projects, it may be possible that although the research to be performed by a potential awardee is non-fundamental research, its proposed sub-awardee’s effort may be fundamental research. It is also possible that the research performed by a potential awardee is fundamental research while its proposed sub-awardee’s effort may be non-fundamental research. In all cases, it is the potential awardee’s responsibility to explain in its proposal which proposed efforts are fundamental research and why the proposed efforts should be considered fundamental research.
• Per Section 8123 of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2015 (Pub. L. 113-235), all grant awards must be posted on a public website in a searchable format. To comply with this requirement, proposers requesting grant awards must submit a maximum one (1) page abstract that may be publicly posted and explains the program or project to the public. The proposer should sign the bottom of the abstract confirming the information in the abstract is approved for public release. Proposers are advised to provide both a signed PDF copy, as well as an editable (e.g., Microsoft word) copy. Abstracts contained in grant proposals that are not selected for award will not be publicly posted.
• Proposals could potentially include Human Subjects Research (HSR) and/or Animal Use. Proposers that anticipate involving human subjects or animals in the proposed research must comply with the approval procedures detailed at https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/humanresearch to include providing the information specified therein as required for proposal submission.
• The APEX Accelerators program, formerly known as the Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), focuses on building strong, sustainable, and resilient U.S. supply chains by assisting a wide range of businesses that pursue and perform under contracts with the DoD, other federal agencies, state and local governments, and government prime contractors. See www.apexaccelerators.us/ for more information. APEX Accelerators helps businesses:
  • Complete registration with a wide range of databases necessary for them to participate in the government marketplace (e.g., SAM).
  • Identify which agencies and offices may need their products or services and how to connect with buying agencies and offices.
  • Determine whether they are ready for government opportunities and how to position themselves to succeed.
  • Navigate solicitations and potential funding opportunities.
  • Receive notifications of government contract opportunities on a regular basis.
  • Network with buying officers, prime contractors, and other businesses.
  • Resolve performance issues and prepare for audit, only if the service is needed, after receiving an award.
• Project Spectrum is a nonprofit effort funded by the DoD Office of Small Business Programs to help educate the Defense Industrial Base (DIB) on compliance. Project Spectrum is vendor-neutral and available to assist businesses with their cybersecurity and compliance needs. Their mission is to improve cybersecurity readiness, resilience, and compliance for small/medium-sized businesses and the federal manufacturing supply chain. Project Spectrum events and programs will enhance awareness of cybersecurity threats within the manufacturing, research and development, and knowledge-based services sectors of the industrial base. Project Spectrum will leverage strategic partnerships within and outside of the DoD to accelerate the overall cybersecurity compliance of the DIB. www.projectspectrum.io is a web portal that will provide resources such as individualized dashboards, a marketplace, and Pilot Program to help accelerate cybersecurity compliance.
• DARPAConnect offers free resources to potential performers to help them navigate DARPA, including “Understanding DARPA Award Vehicles and Solicitations”, “Making the Most of Proposers Days”, and “Tips for DARPA Proposal Success”. Join DARPAConnect at www.DARPAConnect.us to leverage on-demand learning and networking resources.
• DARPA has streamlined our Broad Agency Announcements and is interested in your feedback on this new format. Please send any comments to DARPAsolicitations@darpa.mil.

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APPENDIX A: PROPOSER CHECKLIST FOR ABSTRACTS

This checklist is provided to assist proposers in developing a complete and responsive abstract submission. Proposers are still required to review the Abstract Template zip file for complete formatting and content requirements; and are strongly encouraged to utilize the provided templates for abstract submissions. The proposer checklist may be submitted in Microsoft Word of PDF format as part of the abstract submission.

Abstract

1. What I2O thrust area(s) is your proposed effort linked to?
   • Transformative AI _____
   • Resilient, adaptable, and secure software and systems _____
   • Offensive and defensive cyber _____
   • Fighting in the information domain _____
   • Other: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________[1]

This publication constitutes a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) as contemplated in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.102(d)(2) and 35.016 and 2 CFR § 200.203. Any resultant award negotiations will follow all pertinent law and regulation, and any negotiations and/or awards for procurement contracts will use procedures under FAR 15.4, Contract Pricing, as specified in the BAA.

Broad Agency Announcement

Information Innovation Office

Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide

HR001126S0001

November 28, 2025

HR001126S0001

HR001126S0001

1. OVERVIEW INFORMATION

• Federal Agency Name: Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Information Innovation Office I2O
• Funding Opportunity Title: Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide
• Funding Opportunity Number: HR001126S0001
• Announcement Type: Initial Announcement
• Assistance Listing Number: 12.910
• Dates/Time: All Times are Eastern Time Zone (ET)
  • Posting Date: November 28, 2025
  • Proposers Day: To be announced via Special Notice
  • Proposal Abstract Due Date: Abstracts may be submitted on a rolling basis until November 1, 2026, at 5:00 PM
  • Proposal Due Date: Proposals may be submitted on a rolling basis until November 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM
• Submission Requirements: An Abstract must be submitted and an invitation to submit a Proposal must be received, prior to any Proposal submission. A proposal will not be reviewed if it is submitted without:
  1. Submitting an abstract, and
  2. Receiving an invitation to submit a Proposal.
• Anticipated Individual Awards: Multiple awards are anticipated.
• Types of Instruments that may be Awarded: Procurement Contract, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, Other Transaction (OT) for Prototype Agreement, OT for Research Agreement DARPA welcomes engagement from non-traditional sources in addition to current DARPA performers. DARPA is willing and able to work with a potential performer to identify a contracting arrangement that benefits everyone. See Section 6: Special Considerations for additional information.
• Cost Sharing Requirements: In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022, cost sharing may be required for OT for Prototype or OT for Research Agreements
• NAICS Code: 541715
• Questions and Answers (Q&As): All administrative, technical, and award questions should be emailed to the Agency Point of Contact (POC) stated below. All questions must be written in English.
• Agency POC: The BAA Coordinator for this effort may be reached at: HR001126S0001@darpa.mil DARPA/ I2O ATTN: HR001126S0001 675 North Randolph Street Arlington, VA 22203-2114 Attachments to this Broad Agency Announcement (BAA):
  • I2O Office Wide Abstract Template
  • Classified Submission Requirements, Instructions, and Procedures
  • Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)
  • Model Contracts and Agreements Zip File
    • Cooperative Agreement
      • Cooperative Agreement Certifications
      • Template-CRADA
    • OT for Prototype Agreement
      • Sample Certifications
      • Sample OT (P)- Cost Share Fixed Flexible Based
      • Sample OT (P)- Fixed Support Nontraditional
      • Sample OT (P)- Fixed Support Traditional Cost Share
      • Sample OT (P)- Fixed Flexible Based Approach
      • Sample OT (P)- Streamlined Fixed
    • OT for Research Agreement
      • Sample Certifications
      • Sample OT (R)- Fixed Support Company
      • Sample OT (R)- Fixed Flexible Company
      • Sample OT (R)- Streamlined Fixed
    • Procurement Contract
      • Baseline Model- Large Business Contract
      • Baseline Model- Possible Additional Contract Clauses
      • Baseline Model- Small Business Contract
      • Representations, Certifications, and Other Statements

2. FUNDING OPPORTUNITY DESCRIPTION The Information Innovation Office (I2O) creates groundbreaking science and delivers future capabilities in the information and computational domains to surprise adversaries and maintain enduring advantage for national security. I2O efforts typically address one or more of the following key thrust areas: Transformative AI We seek to invest in trustworthy, disruptive artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and methodologies relevant to national security. We define trustworthy systems as ones that operate competently, interact appropriately with humans, and behave ethically and morally. Resilient, Adaptable, and Secure Software and Complex Systems We believe a world without software vulnerabilities is possible. We seek to use formal methods and third-wave AI to make it easier to understand, build, update, repair, and restore complex software and cyber-physical systems with multi-system-wide, security-relevant correctness guarantees. We also seek methods to provide continuing operation of a system under duress. Techniques and tools are provided as open-source software for use by the research and software development communities, the defense industrial base (DIB), and the Department of Defense (DoD). Example systems are large scale manufacturing, financial systems, large scale infrastructure, and transportation systems. Offensive and Defensive Cyber Security and Privacy We're leveraging advances in state-of-the-art AI and secure and resilient tools and technologies to produce trustworthy cyber capabilities that operate beyond human capacity and speed. We seek capabilities to assure the privacy of users and user information and actions. Our efforts anticipate adversary countermeasures to create enduring capabilities. Fighting in the Information Domain We focus on measuring the health of and protecting and detecting attacks on the information domain, broadly construed. Our research portfolio spans many levels:

• Cognitive: Beliefs and attitudes
• Semantic: Knowledge that's specialized to particular domains, e.g., scientific discourse, the financial system, supply chains, and other areas
• Tracking: Recording the digital artifacts of interactions with the myriad digital devices required by modern life
• Transport: Delivery of electronic messages in many forms and with various gradations of observability I2O may also consider submissions outside these thrust areas if the proposal involves the development of novel capabilities having a promise to provide decisive information or computational advantage for the United States and its allies. I2O seeks unconventional approaches that are outside the mainstream, challenge accepted assumptions, and have the potential to change established practices radically. Proposed research should enable revolutionary advances in science, technology, or systems. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of the art. I2O collaborates with other DARPA technical offices, in some cases acting as the recipient of significant emerging technologies and, in other cases, serving as a catalyst by identifying relevant new external technology trends and capabilities. Novel methods are sought to build technical communities and tap into sources of innovation both inside and outside traditional DoD performer communities. However, proposers may not propose work (1) they have already completed, nor (2) for which they have already received funding or a positive funding decision from DARPA or another Government agency. I2O encourages efforts that are creative and agile both in terms of the technologies proposed and in the structure of the approach (e.g., shorter periods of performance).

3. SECURITY 3.1 CLASSIFIED WORK Proposed work could potentially involve access to or the generation of classified information. Proposals that anticipate classified work will include a security plan. The security plan will detail how the team's security capabilities will enable the technical plan (facilities, key personnel clearances, networks, security personnel assigned to support), as well as identify possible security challenges and proposed solution(s) unique to the proposer team and technical plan. Common program security requirements and challenges include but are not limited to: classified IT systems, classified facility construction and accreditation, operational security (OPSEC), Intelligence Oversight (IO), contracting/sub-contracting, foreign participation or materials utilization, range utilization and support plans (air, sea, land, space, and cyber), data dissemination, asset transportation, classified test activity, and classified material/asset disposition. The security plan does not count as part of the 5-page limit. 3.2 UNCLASSIFIED SUBMISSIONS Unclassified abstracts must be submitted through the DARPA Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT). Unclassified proposals must be submitted through BAAT or Grants.gov. Please visit Proposer Instructions: General Terms and Conditions for specific information regarding submission methods through BAAT. 3.3 CLASSIFIED SUBMISSIONS Classified abstracts and proposals must be submitted in accordance with the requirements, instructions, and procedures contained within the Classified Submission Requirements, Instructions, and Procedures attachment. Classified submissions must NOT be submitted through BAAT or Grants.gov. 3.4 DARPA FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH RISK-BASED SECURITY (FRRBS) REVIEW It is DoD policy that the publication of products of fundamental research will remain unrestricted to the maximum extent possible. National Security Decision Directive (NSDD) 189 defines fundamental research as follows: 'Fundamental research' means basic and applied research in science and engineering, the results of which ordinarily are published and shared broadly within the scientific community, as distinguished from proprietary research and from industrial development, design, production, and product utilization, the results of which ordinarily are restricted for proprietary or national security reasons. Proposers should indicate in their proposal whether they believe the scope of the research included in their proposal is fundamental or not. While proposers should clearly explain the intended results of their research, the Government shall have sole discretion to determine whether the proposed research shall be considered fundamental research, to select the award instrument type, regardless of the instrument type proposed, and to negotiate all instrument terms and conditions with selectees. Appropriate language will be included in resultant awards for non-fundamental research to prescribe publication requirements and other restrictions, as applicable. For additional information, please see - https://www.darpa.mil/about/offices/contracts-management/proposer-transactions All submissions proposing fundamental research that are requesting a Grant, Cooperative Agreement, or OT Agreement must complete the FRRBS forms found in the proposal package as part of their proposal submission.
4. SUBMISSION INFORMATION This announcement allows for multiple award instrument types to be awarded, including Procurement Contracts, Grants, Cooperative Agreements, and OT Agreements. Some award instrument types have specific cost-sharing requirements. The following websites are incorporated by reference and contain additional information regarding