Special Notice (SN) DARPA-SN-20-62: Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) Proposers Day

DATE:  October 9, 2020

Registration Website:  https://racer.centratechnology.com

E-mail:  [email protected]

Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) Proposers Day:

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office (TTO) is sponsoring a Proposers Day to provide information to potential proposers on the objectives of the Robotic Autonomy in Complex Environments with Resiliency (RACER) program in advance of a planned Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The Proposers Day will be held virtually on Friday, October 9, 2020 via Zoom.gov from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. Advance registration is required.

Program Objective and description:

The goal of the RACER program is to develop and demonstrate new autonomy algorithm technologies, rather than vehicle or sensor technologies, that enable Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) to maneuver in unstructured off-road terrain at speeds that are no longer limited by the autonomy software or processing time, but only by considerations of sensor limitations, vehicle mechanical limits, and safety.  At a minimum, performance at par with a human driver should be achieved.  

RACER will demonstrate game-changing autonomous ground combat vehicle mobility using a combination of simulation and advanced platforms. To help performers focus on autonomy algorithm development, DARPA plans to provide these advanced platforms including sensors, computing resources, and a baseline autonomy stack as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE).

The goals of the RACER Proposers Day are to (a) introduce the research community (Proposers, Academia, and Government) to the RACER program vision and goals, (b) explain the mechanics of a DARPA program and the details of this particular effort, and (c) facilitate teaming arrangements among potential organizations that have the relevant expertise, facilities, and capabilities for executing a research and development project responsive to the RACER program goals.

DARPA anticipates releasing the RACER BAA in October of 2020. If released, the BAA will be available on the Contract Opportunities page at https://beta.sam.gov, and http://www.grants.gov, and on the DARPA Opportunities page at https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/opportunities. Following the event, DARPA may post the presented materials as well as a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) list to the DARPA/TTO Opportunities website.

Registration Information:

Proposers Day will be held virtually via Zoom.gov on Friday, October 9, 2020 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT. The Zoom meeting will begin at 8:45 a.m. There will be a Zoom waiting room and only registered participants will be admitted.

The Proposers Day will be unclassified and open to the general public.

Participants must register for the Proposers Day at the following website:

https://racer.centratechnology.com

NOTE:  Before individuals transmit Personally Identifiable Information (PII) or other sensitive data to DARPA, it is recommended that they apply appropriate physical, administrative, and technical protocols to safeguard their privacy. DARPA will secure all PII and sensitive personal data in a controlled environment and protect it from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure.

PLEASE NOTE: REGISTRATION CLOSES ON:

NON-US Citizens:  FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2020 at 11:59: a.m. (NOON) EST/EDT.

US Citizens:  WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2020 at 11:59 a.m. (NOON) EST/EDT.

All Foreign Nationals and US Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) are required to submit a DARPA eForm60. Please find the form at:  https://dtsn.darpa.mil/eform60/. The DARPA eForm60 must be completed prior to the close of registration for non-US citizen on October 2, 2020 11:59 a.m. at (Noon) EDT.

DARPA hosts Proposer Days to promote teaming arrangements between researchers; provide potential performers with information on whether and how they might respond to the Government’s research and development solicitations; and to increase efficiency in proposal preparation and evaluation. Therefore, Proposer Days are open only to registered potential proposers. To maximize the pool of innovative proposal concepts, DARPA strongly encourages participation in these events and subsequent solicitations by non-traditional performers, including small businesses, academic and research institutions, and first-time Government contractors.

A portion of the work may potentially be classified at the SECRET level. Potential performers should currently have the ability to perform classified work at the SECRET level or be prepared to describe of how they would meet a requirement to perform classified work at the SECRET level.

A list of registrant contact information will be made available to attendees following the Proposers Day to facilitate interchange among interested proposers. If you would NOT like to be included on this list, please notify us when registering.

The Program Manager for this effort is:

Dr. Stuart Young

DARPA/TTO

[email protected]

DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES

• Viewing the RACER Proposers Day webcast is voluntary and is not required to propose to subsequent BAAs (if any) on this topic.
• 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, CUI, CTI, ITAR controlled, or proprietary information will 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.