DARPA primarily uses two solicitation methods: (1) Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs)/Research Announcements (RAs) and (2) Requests for Proposal (RFPs).
BAAs
Most of DARPA’s solicitations are for research and development and are accomplished through BAAs announcing research interests, including criteria for selecting proposals and soliciting the participation of all offerors capable of satisfying the government's needs. BAAs are a streamlined method used to advertise and solicit contractors for DARPA research interests in certain program areas and are governed by FAR 6.102 and 35.016 and the Competition in Contracting Act of 1984. DARPA BAAs can be found at www.fbo.gov or www.grants.gov, as well as on the main solicitations page on the DARPA Website.
RAs
DARPA also uses Research Announcements (RA) when it intends only to award grants or cooperative agreements. DARPA RAs can be found at www.grants.gov.
RFPs
Although less frequently used than BAAs, a secondary solicitation method for FAR-based procurement contracts is the RFP. RFPs are a formal competitive means of soliciting proposals in response to government requirements for supplies and services in excess of the simplified acquisition threshold or where there is a common statement of work. DARPA RFPs can be found at www.fbo.gov.