* Differences Between a BAA and a Competitive RFP
* Questions and Answers on DARPA BAA Procedures
* Search for Open DARPA Solicitations
The Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is a competitive solicitation procedure used to obtain proposals for basic and applied research and that part of development not related to the development of a specific system or hardware
procurement. The BAA is described in FAR 6.102, “ Use of Competitive Procedures,” and FAR 35.016, “ Broad Agency Announcements.”
Basic Authority - The Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) of 1984 issued as Public Law 98-369 (98 stat, 1175 et seq.) authorizes use of "general solicitations" or Broad Agency Announcements (BAA's). The use of general solicitations is limited by CICA to "basic research proposals." Contracts awarded under these general solicitations meet the "full and open" competition requirements of
CICA.
The type of research solicited under a BAA attempts to increase knowledge in science and/or to advance the state of the art as compared to practical application of knowledge.
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Differences Between a BAA and a Competitive
RFP
(1) Type of Research and Development
RFP - Focusing on a specific system or hardware solution.
BAA- Scientific study and experimentation directed toward advancing the state-of-the-art or increasing knowledge or
understanding.
(2) Statement of Work
RFP- The Government drafts a common SOW to which all offerors propose.
BAA- The Government drafts a statement of the problem or general research interest. Each offeror proposes its own
statement of work and technical approach.
(3) Proposal Comparison
RFP -All proposals are supposed to do the same thing. Winner is selected by comparing proposals.
BAA- Proposals contain stand-alone unique solutions. They are not compared to one another.
(4) Nature of the Competition
RFP- Proposals address common SOW and compete, one against another. Cost, price, or best value, is often the
deciding factor.
BAA- Each proposal presents a separate approach to solving the problem. There is technical competition in the “marketplace of ideas.” Cost or price is rarely the deciding factor on the winning proposal.
(5) Evaluation Process
RFP- An RFP follows very closely a predetermined source selection plan.
BAA- Proposals undergo a scientific review process. A proposal that is otherwise weak could be selected if it shows great
technical promise, such as a risky but perhaps revolutionary approach.
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Questions and Answers on DARPA BAA
Procedures
As a general rule, when requested, DARPA will provide informal feedback to proposers on their technical proposals. Feedback is given to those proposers whose technical approach does not meet the DARPA technical objectives as stated in the BAA. There are some proposals however, that are not accepted due only to a lack of funding at the time of submission.
Question: What distinguishes a BAA from a Research Announcement?
Answer: Under a BAA, both procurement instruments (procurement contracts) and non-procurement instruments (grants, cooperative agreements, and “other transactions”) may be awarded. Under a Research Announcement only non-procurement instruments may beawarded.
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