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Tip-Based Nanofabrication
Frequently Asked Questions
Q : I have an idea for nanofabrication of a material, but
cannot tell if this nanostructure would qualify as a “nanotube”,
“nanowire” or “quantum dot”. Does DARPA have any specific
definitions in mind for these categories?
A : There are three categories of nanostructure that DARPA
is interested in seeing studied in this program. “nanotubes”
are specifically Carbon Nanotubes, including both
single-walled and multi-walled. “nanowires” are a much
broader category in the literature. For the purposes of this
BAA, a “nanowire” is a structure that has some unique
physical properties that are a consequence of the
nanometer-scale dimensionalities, and generally cylindrical
in shape. “quantum dots” are understood to be structures
that have some unique physical properties that are a
consequence of the nanometer-scale dimensionalities, and can
have many shapes where the dimensions along the 3 axes are
of the same magnitude.
Our goal in this BAA is to explore techniques over a wide range of materials and with a wide range of potential applications. Our advice to proposers is to discuss the unique nanoscale-related properties expected from their structure, based on models, previous measurements, etc.
We encourage proposers to use the pre-proposal as an opportunity to raise possibly controversial issues, such as the classification of their structure as one of the 3 categories of interest. This process will provide feedback on issues raised in the pre-proposals without impacting the evaluation of proposals in the full-proposal round.
Q : Our organization has several people qualified to work on different aspects and approaches to the goals of this program. Are there limits to the size of proposals or teams that will be considered?
A : There are no specific limits. However, DARPA’s intention here is to identify and support promising approaches to nanomanufacturing. A collection of activities that are not closely related should not be packaged together as a single proposal – DARPA would prefer to see these as independent, smaller proposals. It is understood that some teaming may be required to address all of the challenges of the program.
For this program, DARPA is less interested in proposal teams that will explore multiple different methods pursued by multiple investigators in parallel and carry out internal down-selections depending on the results that arise from the different approaches. DARPA intends to select projects that present a single, coherent set of ideas, and to perform the down-selection and management as needed at the program level.
DARPA understands that there is significant risk in meeting the challenges of this program. For this reason, selection of a somewhat larger number of smaller proposal efforts is preferred over selection of a small number of large-team efforts. This approach will allow the agency to explore the greatest number of different ideas.
Q : I haven't worked with DARPA before, but have had some work related to a part of the BAA. Could this work be supported through this BAA?
A : The Tip-Based Nanofabrication program is interested in approaches that can provide controlled nanomanufacturing. A successful approach is one that has the potential capability to meet all of the requirements and milestones in the entire program, so all potential bidders are encouraged to read the BAA very carefully. Proposals that only address a part of the requirements will not be as favorably reviewed. Potential bidders that have partial capabilities are encouraged to join teams with complimentary capabilities. The Teaming Website provides one mechanism for coming into contact with other potential partners.
Q : When are the abstract proposals due?
A : No later than 4:00 PM, Eastern Daylight Time, Thursday, September 27, 2007. Proposal abstracts should be submitted through the TFIMS website as described in the BAA.
Q : What is the objective of the proposal abstract?
A : The proposal abstracts are optional, and intended to provide a mechanism for teams to describe ideas and plans and receive feedback and advice from DARPA before investing the effort to prepare a full proposal. Pre-proposals are reviewed by substantially the same team of reviewers who will evaluate the full proposals, and proposers will be given a specific recommendation fo or against submitting a full proposal, as well as some feedback on the issues that arose in the evaluation of the pre-proposal.
Q : Do the evaluations of the proposal abstracts factor into the evaluations of the full proposals?
A : No. The full proposals are evaluated on their own merit. Proposal abstracts are an opportunity to describe the most challenging and possibly controversial aspects of a proposal, and receive feedback from DARPA on those aspects. Therefore, it is advised to include aspects that the proposers think might jeapordize the evaluation of a full proposal, and obtain feedback on those aspects through the abstract review.
Q : What is the overall Budget for TBN, and what is the target budget for single proposals?
A : There is no overall budget or proposal target budget. Each proposal should include a budget based on the costs required for that team to achieve the technical milestones of the program. These costs will certainly vary, depending on the methods and approaches taken. Proposals will be selected on the basis of technical merit and with a goal of promoting multiple, complimentary efforts capable of achieving the challenging goals described in the TBN BAA.
Q: When will ITAR Restrictions be applied to the TBN Program?
A: The TBN program will begin with fundamental research (basic and applied research ordinarily published and shared broadly within the scientific community), and will not have ITAR restrictions imposed at the outset. There is no expectation that ITAR restrictions will be imposed on this program given the fundamental nature of the work through the 3 phases. Nevertheless, proposers are expected to be capable of addressing ITAR restrictions if they should arise.
Q : The BN BAA doesn't focus on any specific application. Is there a DARPA-preferred application for teams to concentrate on?
A : Correct, our goal is for the TBN program to demonstrate fundamental technology for controlled nanofabrication. The selection of Nanotubes, Nanowires and Quantum Dots as the target set of structures was intended to provide focus to the program while still imposing fundamental challenges that will be faced in controlled manufacturing of all nanostructures.
Q : Are there specific definitions of what is a "quantum dot", "nanowire", or "nanotube"?
A : There are no specific definitions in the BAA, and it is expected that proposers will be familiar with the use of these terms in the literature, and be prepared to explain how the structures that they will fabricate will fit into one of the categories. Proposers are encouraged to briefly describe some of the expected applications of the structures that they will fabricate.
Q: How many contracts does the government anticipate awarding?
A: The number of contracts to be awarded is based upon the availability of funding and the quality and diversity of the proposed solutions.
Q: Any cap on phase duration?
A: No; however, as stipulated in the BAA, "Schedule Realism" is one of the evaluation factors to be considered by the Government (Factor 5 - Schedule Realism: The offerors' abilities to aggressively pursue performance metrics in the shortest timeframe and to accurately account for that timeframe will be evaluated.). In the evaluation of the proposals for TBN, "realism" will also include appreciation for the difficulty associated with the challenges in this program, and planning for enough time and resources to solve these challenges.
Q: Any cap on the total duration over all 3 phases?
A: No. See previous question and answer for more comments. Q: Is there a recommended maximum phase length? A: No. Again, see above.
Q: Any limits/restrictions on the number of teams a contractor can be on?
A: There are no restrictions on the teams, members, or leaders.
Q: Can foreign entities apply?
A: Foreign entities are allowed to apply, but some of the technology developed or involved in this program may be ITAR restricted. The proposals must describe the plans for managing information and work when these restrictions become relevant.
Q: Can individual investigators propose work on a single component of the TBN, such as the tips?
A: Meeting the fabrication challenges in the milestones will require that teams assemble complete, working fabrication systems. Individuals with expertise in a single area should seek teammates to form a complete team. The Teaming Website associated with this BAA is an excellent place for partners to meet.