Special Notice (SN) DARPA-SN-20-61
DARPA Science of Atomic Vapors for New Technologies (SAVaNT) Proposers Day Webinar
September 3, 2020
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is sponsoring a Proposers Day webcast to provide information to potential proposers on the objectives of an anticipated Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for the Science of Atomic Vapors for New Technologies (SAVaNT) program. The Proposers Day will be held via webcast on September 3, 2020 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM Eastern Time U.S. Advance registration is required for participating in the webcast.
The goals of the SAVaNT Proposers Day are to (a) introduce the research community (Proposers, Academia, and Government) to the SAVaNT program vision and goals, (b) explain the mechanics of a DARPA program and the milestones of this particular effort, and (c) encourage and promote teaming arrangements among potential organizations that have the relevant expertise, facilities, and capabilities for executing a research and development program responsive to the SAVaNT program goals.
DARPA anticipates releasing the SAVaNT BAA in August 2020. If released, the BAA will be available on https://beta.sam.gov/ and on http://www.grants.gov/. Following the event, DARPA may post the presented materials as well as a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list to the DARPA/DSO Opportunities website.To maximize the pool of innovative proposal concepts, DARPA strongly encourages participation by non‐traditional proposers (including small businesses, academic and research institutions, and first‐time government contractors) in events such as this and any subsequent solicitations.
PROGRAM OBJECTIVE AND DESCRIPTION
The SAVaNT program aims to significantly advance the performance of atomic vapor-based technologies beyond the current state of the art to enable new room-temperature sensing capabilities and quantum technologies. Vapor-based technologies operate at or near room temperature without complex laser cooling and trapping, but still offer the advantages derived from the pristine nature of atoms. Recent advances in strategies for addressing the performance limitations of current methods and novel theoretical ideas on the uses for atomic vapors indicate the possibility for significant breakthroughs in vapor-based devices.
SAVaNT specifically seeks proposals on the advancement of performance of atomic vapors for electric field sensing and imaging, magnetic field sensing, and quantum information science. SAVaNT advances will lay the foundations for new technologies that address important DoD needs, including applications that require low size, weight, and power (SWaP), high sensitivity electric and magnetic field measurements as well as applications that require scalable room-temperature quantum memories and interfaces. The common scientific challenge across the program will be to improve atomic coherence in vapors.
REGISTRATION INFORMATION
Registration closes on August 28, 2020 at 5:00 PM ET or when capacity is reached, whichever comes first. Registrants in excess of the maximum capacity limitations (500 individuals) may be added to a waitlist. Individuals who are unable to register because the deadline has occurred may request to be added to the waitlist. If slots become available due to cancellations, the slots may be filled on a first come, first served basis from the waitlist.
ELIGIBILITY
DARPA hosts Proposers Days to: (1) provide potential proposers with information on whether and how they might respond to the government’s research and development solicitations, and (2) increase efficiency in proposal preparation and evaluation. Therefore, Proposers Days are only open to registered potential proposers, i.e., the events are closed to the general public and media. For this particular program, Proposers Day registration is open to potential proposers who are U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and foreign nationals.
Q & A
Administrative, technical, and contractual questions about SAVaNT should be emailed to SAVaNT@darpa.mil. All questions must be in English and must include the name and email address of a point of contact. Following the Proposers Day, DARPA will post an FAQ list to the DARPA/DSO Opportunities website.
DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES
Viewing the SAVaNT Proposers Day webcast is voluntary and is not required to propose to the anticipated SAVaNT BAA. Interested parties to this notice are cautioned that nothing herein obligates the Government to issue a solicitation. The Proposers Day does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals or abstracts. This announcement is issued solely for information and program planning purposes and is not a Request for Information (RFI). Since this is not an RFI, no submissions against this notice will be accepted by the Government. No classified, ITAR controlled, or proprietary information shall be presented or discussed at the Proposers Day. DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred to participate in this Proposers Day. Recording the Proposers Day webcast is not permitted.
