BAA Coordinator

The BAA Coordinator at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) plays a pivotal role in advancing the agency’s mission of fostering high-risk, high-reward scientific innovation. Responsible for managing the Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) process, they oversee the solicitation, evaluation, and award of research and development contracts aimed at accelerating breakthroughs in physical, engineering, and life sciences. Their work directly supports DARPA’s strategic priorities—including autonomous systems, next-generation computing, bio-integrated technologies, and advanced materials—by identifying and engaging top-tier research institutions and industry innovators capable of delivering transformative capabilities for national defense. The BAA Coordinator maintains strategic relationships with leading R&D contractors such as Aerospace & Commercial Technologies, LLC, AMD International Technologies LLC, Systems & Technology Research LLC, Abbott Laboratories Inc., and Pennsylvania & Southern Railway LLC. These partnerships are characterized by deep technical collaboration, often involving early-stage prototyping, proof-of-concept development, and rapid iteration cycles. The coordinator prioritizes vendors with proven expertise in defense-critical domains, fostering long-term engagement through iterative program phases and milestone-driven contract structures. There is no preference for socioeconomic set-asides; 100% of awards are competed openly under full and open competition. This reflects DARPA’s emphasis on technical excellence and mission urgency over socioeconomic criteria, ensuring access to the broadest possible pool of innovative capabilities regardless of firm size or certification status. 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 their deep engagement with cutting-edge R&D in areas such as neuromorphic computing, quantum sensing, adaptive materials, and biohybrid systems, procuring services ranging from fundamental science exploration to prototype development and field validation for next-generation military technologies.