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 oversees the solicitation, evaluation, and award of competitive research contracts aligned with DARPA’s strategic priorities in autonomous systems, next-generation computing, bio-integrated technologies, and advanced materials. The coordinator ensures that acquisitions adhere to federal acquisition regulations while fostering innovation through agile, mission-driven contracting mechanisms that attract leading scientific and engineering talent. Key contractor relationships include AEROSPACE & COMMERCIAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC, AMD INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC, SYSTEMS & TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH LLC, PENNSYLVANIA & SOUTHERN RAILWAY LLC, and ABBOTT LABORATORIES INC., reflecting a focus on top-tier research institutions, defense technology firms, and life sciences innovators. These partnerships are characterized by collaborative, performance-based engagements designed to accelerate prototype development and technology transition. The coordinator cultivates long-term relationships with vendors capable of delivering cutting-edge solutions across physical, engineering, and life sciences domains, often under time-constrained, high-stakes program timelines. The BAA Coordinator maintains a strict no set-aside procurement posture, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects DARPA’s emphasis on selecting the most technically capable performers regardless of size or socioeconomic status, prioritizing capability and innovation over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not mandated, firms of all sizes are evaluated equally on technical merit and mission alignment. The coordinator’s procurement activity is exclusively focused on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology). This specialization underscores a deep technical alignment with advanced R&D in areas such as quantum computing architectures, neuromorphic systems, autonomous robotics, and bio-material interfaces, ensuring that all acquisitions directly support DARPA’s mandate to maintain U.S. technological superiority through scientific breakthroughs.