Automated Discovery for Design and Control of Turbulent Systems (AutoDIDACTS)

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is seeking innovative research proposals under the Automated Discovery for Design and Control of Turbulent Systems (AutoDIDACTS) solicitation, identified by HR001126S0008, with a submission deadline of May 28, 2026. The initiative aims to advance the science of aeronautical design and turbulent system control through data-informed, generalizable models that enable revolutionary breakthroughs—not mere evolutionary improvements. Proposals must be submitted via the Broad Agency Announcement Tool (BAAT) for Procurement Contracts or Other Transaction Agreements, or through Grants.gov for Cooperative Agreements, with distinct submission requirements per award type. All proposers must submit a technical and management volume limited to 20 pages, a cost proposal spreadsheet in editable Excel format, and summary slides, while cost volumes have no page limit but must be strictly financial. Attachments include mandatory templates for proposals, cost structures, and for those pursuing Other Transaction Agreements, a Model OTA and an Associate Contractor Agreement requiring free information sharing, written interface standards, and reciprocal protection of proprietary data. Key personnel must undergo a Fundamental Research Risk-Based Security Review, and organizational conflicts of interest must be disclosed, especially for those with prior SETA or A&AS support to DARPA. The evaluation prioritizes scientific and technical merit above all else, followed by relevance to national security and technological surprise, with cost realism assessed as a critical third factor under a trade-off approach that favors superior technical solutions over lowest price. Acceptance of deliverables occurs electronically through WAWF, and performance locations are to be specified by the proposer, with no fixed physical site designated. All outputs must be submitted to DARPA’s Vault system and comply with Government Purpose Rights and CUI handling requirements. While the solicitation operates under the overarching authority of Other Transaction Authority and allows flexibility beyond the FAR, proposers must still provide UEI, CAGE code, and TIN, certify size status, and disclose any intellectual property restrictions or prior submissions to other federal solicitations. Payment will be processed via DFAS using electronic funds transfer, and all documentation must adhere to strict formatting, language, and submission guidelines outlined in the BAA attachments.