Neutron STAR Industry User Guide v3

Neutron Strategic Technology Advanced Research(Neutron STAR) Advanced Research Announcement (ARA)

Industry User Guide

03 August 2025

TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION PAGEREF _Toc200107231 \h 1

1. Overview PAGEREF _Toc200107232 \h 1

2. Criteria for Use PAGEREF _Toc200107233 \h 1

CHAPTER 2: ARA SOLICIATION VARIATIONS PAGEREF _Toc200107234 \h 2

CHAPTER 3: OPEN ARA WHITE PAPER PREPARATION PAGEREF _Toc200107235 \h 3

1. Offeror Submission Overview PAGEREF _Toc200107236 \h 3 2. White Paper (First Step) Submission Instructions PAGEREF _Toc200107237 \h 3 a. General PAGEREF _Toc200107238 \h 3
b. Page Limitation PAGEREF _Toc200107239 \h 3
c. White Paper Submission Org Box PAGEREF _Toc200107240 \h 4 d. Format PAGEREF _Toc200107241 \h 4
e. Other Information PAGEREF _Toc200107242 \h 5
3. Proposal (Second Step) Submission Instructions PAGEREF _Toc200107243 \h 6

CHAPTER 4: COMMUNICATION PAGEREF _Toc200107244 \h 7

CHAPTER 5: INDIVIDUAL SOLICIATION PROCESS PAGEREF _Toc200107245 \h 8

CHAPTER 6: REVIEW INFORMATION PAGEREF _Toc200107246 \h 9

1. Evaluation Criteria PAGEREF _Toc200107247 \h 9
a. Technical Merit PAGEREF _Toc200107248 \h 9
b. Value/Cost PAGEREF _Toc200107249 \h 9
2. White Paper Review and Selection Process (First Step) PAGEREF _Toc200107250 \h 10 3. Proposal Review and Selection Process (Second Step) PAGEREF _Toc200107251 \h 10 CHAPTER 7: AWARD PROCESS (for Open White Paper Solicitation and Individual Solicitations) PAGEREF _Toc200107252 \h 12 1. Notification of Award Decision PAGEREF _Toc200107253 \h 12 a. More Than One Award and Flexibility in Awards Made PAGEREF _Toc200107254 \h 12 b. Sequence of Awards PAGEREF _Toc200107255 \h 12
2. Model Document PAGEREF _Toc200107256 \h 12
3. Technical and Cost Negotiations PAGEREF _Toc200107257 \h 12 a. Technical PAGEREF _Toc200107258 \h 12
b. Terms and Conditions PAGEREF _Toc200107259 \h 13
c. Cost/Fee/Profit (if applicable) PAGEREF _Toc200107260 \h 13 d. Agreement PAGEREF _Toc200107261 \h 13
4. Science & Technology (S&T) Program Protection - For Proposal Responses Only PAGEREF _Toc200107262 \h 13

CHAPTER 8: ASSISTANCE INSTRUMENTS PAGEREF _Toc200107263 \h 14

1. Background PAGEREF _Toc200107264 \h 14

2. General PAGEREF _Toc200107265 \h 14

3. When a Grant Would Be Awarded PAGEREF _Toc200107266 \h 14 4. When a CA Would be Awarded PAGEREF _Toc200107267 \h 15

CHAPTER 9: OTHER TRANSACTIONS & MISCELLANEOUS PAGEREF _Toc200107268 \h 16

1. Background PAGEREF _Toc200107269 \h 16

2. 10 U.S.C. §4021 - Research Projects PAGEREF _Toc200107270 \h 16