Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide

The Information Innovation Office (I2O) Office-Wide Broad Agency Announcement, identified by solicitation number HR001126S0001, was issued by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency to solicit innovative research in transformative AI, resilient software systems, cybersecurity, and information domain operations, with a focus on revolutionary advances that challenge established norms and enable technological surprise. The announcement, posted on November 28, 2025, invited proposals through a two-phase process: initial abstract submissions on a rolling basis followed by invitations to submit full proposals for selected concepts. Full proposals were required to be structured in two volumes—technical and management, and cost—along with a summary slide, and were subject to strict formatting rules including a five-page limit for abstracts submitted in PDF or Word format. The I2O emphasized engagement with non-traditional sources and encouraged submissions from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, and Minority Institutions, though no portion of the announcement was set aside for exclusive participation by these entities. Proposals were evaluated primarily on scientific and technical merit, potential contribution to DARPA’s mission, plans for resilient software development—including the use of formal methods to eliminate software vulnerabilities—and cost realism, with CMMC certification as a mandatory pass/fail gate for award eligibility, requiring Level 2 or Level 3 certification depending on the nature of the work and the handling of Controlled Unclassified Information. Classified proposals were subject to rigorous security protocols, including the requirement for approved facilities, personnel clearances, DD Form 254, and submission via approved secure channels such as SAVANNAH, JWICS, or SIPERNET, with separate unclassified and classified components and mandatory notifications to DARPA’s BAA coordinator. Submission portals included DARPA’s BAAT tool for unclassified and CUI content, Grants.gov for grants and cooperative agreements, and hard copy submissions with electronic CD-ROMs for classified materials. Award instruments could include procurement contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or Other Transaction agreements. Effective June 24, 2026, the I2O Office-Wide BAA was officially closed, with proposers granted a final window to submit proposals until July 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM ET. For any future opportunities, proposers were directed to the newly published IPTO Office-Wide BAA under HR001126S0011 on SAM.gov. All