BAA Coordinator

The BAA Coordinator at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) plays a pivotal role in advancing the agency’s mission of enabling transformative military technologies through high-risk, high-reward research. Responsible for managing the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) process, they oversee the solicitation, evaluation, and award of research and development contracts across physical, engineering, and life sciences domains. This role is central to DARPA’s strategy of accelerating breakthrough innovations in autonomous systems, next-generation computing, bio-integrated technologies, and advanced materials, ensuring that cutting-edge scientific capabilities are rapidly transitioned into operational military advantage. The BAA Coordinator maintains strategic partnerships with leading research-driven contractors including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., and PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC. These relationships are characterized by deep technical collaboration, often involving prototype development, systems integration, and proof-of-concept demonstrations under time-constrained program timelines. The coordinator engages primarily with organizations possessing advanced R&D infrastructure and subject-matter expertise in defense-critical technologies, fostering agile, mission-aligned partnerships. There is no preference for socioeconomic set-asides; all acquisitions are conducted as full and open competitions, reflecting DARPA’s emphasis on technical excellence over socioeconomic criteria. This approach ensures the agency accesses the broadest possible pool of innovative capabilities, prioritizing performance and scientific merit above all other factors. The coordinator’s procurement portfolio is exclusively focused on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). They procure advanced scientific services including experimental design, materials characterization, computational modeling, sensor development, and bioengineering prototypes, supporting DARPA’s flagship programs such as VITAL, PICASSO, and O-CIRCUI. Their expertise lies in identifying and contracting with entities capable of delivering non-traditional, high-impact solutions to complex national security challenges.