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 position facilitates the solicitation, evaluation, and award of competitive research and development contracts aligned with DARPA’s strategic priorities in autonomous systems, next-generation computing, bio-integrated technologies, and advanced materials. The Coordinator ensures rigorous technical merit review and timely procurement of innovative solutions from academia, industry, and nonprofit research institutions, serving as a key liaison between program managers and external innovators to accelerate the transition of breakthrough technologies into operational capability. The BAA Coordinator maintains strategic relationships with a select group of high-caliber research and development contractors, including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., reflecting a focus on organizations with proven expertise in defense-critical science and engineering. These partnerships are typically non-traditional, performance-driven collaborations centered on rapid prototyping, proof-of-concept demonstrations, and technical feasibility studies, often involving flexible contract vehicles such as Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) and cost-reimbursement R&D contracts. The Coordinator’s procurement portfolio exhibits a 100% preference for non-set-aside acquisitions, indicating a mission-driven emphasis on technical excellence over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not mandated through set-asides, award decisions prioritize technical capability, innovation potential, and mission alignment, consistent with DARPA’s agile, results-oriented acquisition philosophy. The primary NAICS classification is 541715, reflecting exclusive focus on research and development in the physical, engineering, and life sciences. Procurements center on advanced materials, neurotechnology, quantum computing, AI-enabled systems, and bio-hybrid platforms, with an emphasis on early-stage innovation that bridges fundamental science and defense applications.