The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) works on technologies and ideas at the bleeding edge of research, most of which have at least some tangential military use.
"Often, these projects are classified and can only be solicited from a limited number of sources," according to a July 11 request for information issued by the agency. "DARPA must maintain up-to-date knowledge about potential performers to maximize the number of sources that can be solicited for classified, highly specialized, [cyberspace operations] R&D initiatives."
Download: Cyberspace Operations Research and Development RFI
The RFI asks existing clearance holders and those who could potentially obtain clearance to join the agency's list of vendors able to lead research efforts into emerging cyber threats and the technologies and capabilities to combat those threats.
Vendors should respond in the form of a short white paper, which should include information on personnel with cybersecurity operations experience, a description of the company's R&D facilities and applicable experience of the organization as a whole.
The RFI notes DARPA does not plan to respond to submissions, other than to acknowledge receipt or ask specific follow-up questions.
Interested vendors are encouraged to respond immediately, though there's plenty of time. The RFI is open for submissions for a year, closing on July 10, 2017.
Aaron Boyd is an awarding-winning journalist currently serving as editor of Federal Times — a Washington, D.C. institution covering federal workforce and contracting for more than 50 years — and Fifth Domain — a news and information hub focused on cybersecurity and cyberwar from a civilian, military and international perspective.
