DARPA RSO FAQs

DARPA Research Solutions Opening
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Under the "performance is limited to U.S. colleges and universities" provision, may the university prime include a funded commercial subawardee, and is there any limit on the share of total effort or cost that may flow to such a subawardee? A1. Prime and subawardee performance on this RSO is limited to U. S. colleges and universities.

Q2. For the OT for Research instrument, how is cost-sharing expected and treated under this RSO — and would in-kind contribution from a commercial team member be viewed favorably as an indicator of transition potential?
A2. Please refer to the RSO, 10 U.S.C. § 4021. Additional information regarding resource sharing may be found at the DoW Guide to Research Other Transactions Under 10 U.S.C. § 4021 found at:
https://acquisitioninnovation.darpa.mil/docs/Guides/GUIDE%20TO%20RESEARCH%20OT HER%20TRANSACTIONS%20-%202026.02.12.pdf.

Q3. Is there a typical or expected per-award funding range (or ceiling) we should plan against? AI-based cybersecurity research runs into real (non-labor) costs, particularly when using frontier models.
A3. No funding range has been established.

Q4. I came across the RSO opportunity and was wondering whether it is the same as submitting to the office-wide BAA? Is there funding set aside for this particular opportunity or would I have to find a PM with seedling funds, etc. to fund me under this opportunity? A4. The RSO is not the same as submitting to the office-wide BAA, and limited funding is available for this requirement. Please see the eligibility and submission requirements in the RSO.

Q5. Specifically, on Page 4-5 of the FOA, it says that “Phase 1 abstracts must identify at least two (2) co-Principal Investigators (PIs) for the proposed research project. If invited to submit a full proposal, proposers must nominate at least one (1) co-PI as a candidate for consideration of a temporary assignment to DARPA under the IPA Mobility Program. Proposers are strongly encouraged to nominate multiple PIs as candidates for the DARPA under the IPA Mobility Program. In the event DARPA selects a candidate for a temporary assignment and enters into an IPA agreement with the academic institution, the project’s remaining PI(s) will lead the proposed research.” Also, "Upon notification that an abstract has been selected for submission of a full proposal, the Government will send the submitter a written request for a full proposal, either written or oral. This request will