DETER Industry User Guide (Amendment 6)

Directed Energy Technology Experimentation
and Research (DETER)
Advanced Research Announcement (ARA)

Industry User Guide
Revision 06

05 MAY 2026

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1. Overview

2. Criteria for Use

CHAPTER 2: ARA CALL VARIATIONS

CHAPTER 3: OPEN ARA WHITE PAPER PREPARATION

1. Overview

2. White Paper Instructions

3. Proposal Instructions

CHAPTER 4: COMMUNICATION

CHAPTER 5: CALL PROCESS

CHAPTER 6: REVIEW INFORMATION

1. Evaluation Criteria

2. White Paper Review and Selection Process

3. Proposal Review and Selection Process

CHAPTER 7: AWARD PROCESS

1. Notification of Award Decision

2. Model Document

3. Technical and Cost Negotiations

4. Science & Technology (S&T) Program Protection

CHAPTER 8: ASSISTANCE INSTRUMENTS

1. Background

2. General

3. When a Grant Would be Awarded
4. When a Cooperative Agreement Would be Awarded

CHAPTER 9: OTHER TRANSACTIONS

1. Background

2. 10 U.S.C. 4021 (formerly 10 U.S.C. 2371) (Research OT) 3. 10 U.S.C. 4022 (formerly 10 U.S.C. 2371b) (Prototype Project OT) 4. 10 U.S.C. 4025 (formerly 10 U.S.C. 2374a) (Prizes for Advanced Technology Achievements)

CHAPTER 10: DEFINITIONS

EXHIBIT A: GRAPHIC DEPICTIONS OF COMMON ARA CALL VARIATIONS

ANNOUNCEMENT ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: AFRL/RD In-House Facilities for Experimentation & Testing Attachment 1: DETER Industry Guide [This document]
Attachment 2: Valid Eval Rubric (Version 2.0)
Attachment 3: Standard Form 424 (Research & Related Senior/Key Person Profile) Attachment 4: Security Program Questionnaire
Attachment 5: Privacy Act Statement
*The Government reserves the right to amend this user guide as necessary. The most current version will be updated to Government wide Point of Entry (GPE).

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1. Overview: 10 U.S.C.§4023 (formerly 10 U.S.C.§2373) – Procurement for Experimental Purposes “The Secretary of Defense and the Secretaries of the military departments may each buy ordnance, signal, chemical activity, transportation, energy, medical, space-flight, and aeronautical supplies, including parts and accessories, and designs thereof, that the Secretary of Defense or the Secretary concerned considers necessary for experimental or test purposes in the development of the best supplies that are needed for the national defense.” 2. Criteria for Use: Use of an ARA to solicit for research and development is encouraged when:  There is an increased focus on mission integration or need for an agile contracting methods for more advanced R&D programs
 Prototyping, system or hardware specific work