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, this individual facilitates the solicitation, evaluation, and award of competitive research contracts across physical, engineering, and life sciences domains. Their work directly supports DARPA’s strategic priorities in autonomous systems, next-generation computing, bio-integrated technologies, and advanced materials, ensuring that cutting-edge scientific innovation is rapidly transitioned into operational capability. They oversee the full lifecycle of research acquisitions, from initial concept solicitation through contract execution, often interfacing with federal laboratories, academia, and industry partners to identify and fund breakthrough technologies. The BAA Coordinator maintains consistent relationships with a select group of high-caliber contractors, including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC. These partnerships are primarily technical and R&D-focused, characterized by deep collaboration on complex, multi-year programs requiring specialized expertise in areas such as microelectronics, neurotechnology, and advanced materials development. The working relationships are typically project-driven, with an emphasis on agility, technical rigor, and rapid prototyping. There is no preference for socioeconomic set-asides; all acquisitions are competed openly under full and open competition, reflecting DARPA’s emphasis on technical merit over socioeconomic criteria. The coordinator’s contracting patterns prioritize access to the nation’s most capable research entities, regardless of business size or certification status. The primary NAICS classification is 541712, reflecting an exclusive focus on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. Procurements center on advanced scientific services including sensor development, quantum computing architectures, bio-hybrid systems, and autonomous control algorithms, underscoring deep technical expertise in next-generation defense science and engineering.