Process Overview 

Abstract Submission (BAA page 11)

• Cover should be marked “ABSTRACT.”

• Length should not exceed 3 pages (excludes cover page, ROM & citations).

• Abstract should include all sections as specified in the BAA.

• Abstract evaluation criteria – scientific and technical merit, proposer's capabilities, and affordability.

• Abstracts are submitted by faculty through the electronic Contract Proposal Submission (eCPS) portal  - search ‘ARPA-H’ or ‘75N99223S0001’, in keyword box to the left. Faculty are asked to notify OSP so they are aware of the abstract submission. If a full proposal is requested by ARPA-H, faculty must notify OSP as soon as possible, especially due to the complexity of these proposals requirements (ie. conflict of interest).

Full Proposal (BAA page 13)

• Must be invited to submit a full proposal based on abstract review.

• Volume I – Technical & Management.

• Volume II – Cost Proposal.

• Cover page - no more than one page in length.

• Summary of Proposal & Detailed Proposal Info – no more than 30 pages in length (excludes SOW).

• SOW – no page limit.

Evaluation and Selection (BAA page 25)

• A scientific/technical review will be conducted of each abstract/proposal.

• Selection for award will be made based on evaluation criteria outlined in the BAA and availability of funding.

Evaluation Criteria 

Overall Scientific and Technical Merit (Abstract and Full Proposal)

• Innovation.

• Feasibility.

• Achievability.

• Complete.

• Risk Mitigation Strategy.

Proposer’s Capabilities and/or Related Experience(Abstract and Full Proposal)

• Relevant Expertise.

• Experience in Managing Similar Efforts.

Potential Contribution and Relevance to the ARPA-H Mission (Full Proposal)

• Relevance to Mission.

• Unmet Need.

• Future Application.

Cost Realism/Price Reasonableness/Funding Availability/Affordability(Abstract and Full Proposal)

• Cost Realism.

     ⎯ Realistic for the work to be performed, reflect a clear understanding of the requirements, and are consistent with the unique methods and assumptions used by the contractor (e.g., not too low, match effort, etc.).

• Price Reasonableness.

     ⎯ Ensure the overall price is fair and reasonable (e.g., not too high).

• Availability/Affordability.

     ⎯May only acquire goods or services that meet needs and are within budgetary constraints. 

     ⎯ IP considerations.

Award Types

•Will choose award type based on best fit for project

• Awards will be Cooperative Agreements, Other Transactions, and Procurement Contracts. • • Will not award grants.

• Due to the ARPA-H statute, there is a limit on certain award types, but this limit only applies to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based contracts. 

Award Timeline

• Ideal* is 90 days from receipt of full proposal to award but dependent on ARPA-H resources, award type, negotiations, etc.

Award Funding

• There is no funding limit for individual awards, no ceiling or award range for individual awards, or an overall ceiling for the BAA.