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 competitively selected research and development contracts across physical, engineering, and life sciences. This role is central to DARPA’s strategy of accelerating innovation by identifying and partnering with leading-edge technical teams, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities such as autonomous systems, next-generation computing, and bio-integrated technologies. The BAA Coordinator maintains strategic relationships with a select group of specialized contractors, including AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., and PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC. These partnerships reflect a focus on firms with deep technical expertise in defense-critical domains, ranging from advanced materials and sensor systems to biomedical engineering and high-performance computing. The coordinator fosters collaborative, mission-driven engagements, often working with contractors that have proven capabilities in rapid prototyping, systems integration, and dual-use innovation. There is no preference for socioeconomic set-asides; all awards are competed fully and open to all eligible entities. This reflects DARPA’s emphasis on technical excellence over socioeconomic criteria, prioritizing capability and innovation potential above vendor classification. The coordinator’s contracting patterns are designed to attract the most qualified performers, regardless of size or certification status. The primary NAICS classification is 541715, encompassing research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Procurements center on advanced scientific R&D services—including prototype development, computational modeling, sensor design, and bio-systems integration—supporting DARPA’s flagship programs such as VITAL, PICASSO, and O-CIRCUI. The coordinator’s expertise lies in evaluating technically complex proposals and aligning contractor capabilities with the agency’s ambitious, mission-critical innovation goals.