Find a route to research, prototype, test or commercialize a defense-relevant technology before choosing a production pathway.
5 records in this family–mechanism intersection. These editorial groups do not expand legal scope.
What this group is not: A contract or purchase tag is not general lending or equity authority; priorities, purchase commitments and financing-cost treatment remain distinct routes.
Conduct basic, applied and advanced research and development internally, through military departments, by contract, or by agreement with another federal agency.
What this is not / limit: Not authority to fund a project with no potential defense interest.
Executing role: DARPA Contracts Management Office or Service contracting/grants/agreements office; Performing laboratory or external research performer
Authority holder
Secretary of Defense or Secretary of a military department
Eligibility gate
Research must be necessary to departmental R&D responsibilities and concern military needs or potential DoD interest.
Funding condition
Appropriate available RDT&E or other lawfully available funds; budget owner must document purpose, period and amount.
All recorded limits
Not authority to fund a project with no potential defense interest.
An interagency execution route does not transfer the partner agency’s distinct sovereign powers to DoD.
A competitively selected general-solicitation research contract may contain line items/options for development, demonstration, initial production or initial/additional items arising from its work.
What this is not / limit: No special consideration for private donors; award above $20m as contract/agreement triggers 15-day post-award congressional notice.
Executing role: DARPA Contracts Management Office or Service contracting/grants/agreements office; Performing laboratory or external research performer
Authority holder
Secretary of Defense acting through USD(R&E), USD(A&S), DIU Director and Service acquisition executives
Eligibility gate
Widely advertised competitive process; achievement must meet statutory defense/transition purpose.
Funding condition
Appropriations or funds/items lawfully accepted from federal, state/local and private contributors.
All recorded limits
USD(R&E) approval above $20m total prize fair value, $2m cash, or $20k solely nonmonetary prize.
No special consideration for private donors; award above $20m as contract/agreement triggers 15-day post-award congressional notice.
Make follow-on awards, including qualifying sole-source awards, for development, testing, production or services derived from prior SBIR/STTR work using non-SBIR/STTR funding.
Treat qualifying independent research and development as allowable indirect expense under defense contracts while preserving statutory contractor independence in technology selection.