Experimental Neutrino Detector

Background
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative approaches to address challenges in the detection and characterization of active and background sources of neutrinos. The overall program goal is to develop a complete baseline system capable of detecting and distinguishing the FNAL NuMI beamline accelerator-based neutrino source from the cosmic background and other noise sources in shallow bodies of water. It is expected that the NuMI beamline will provide muon neutrinos to the test site with an average energy between 3-9 GeV. The system must operate in depths from 5-200 m in western Lake Superior and reliably collect data from the NuMI beamline for up to 6 months continuously. The system must be deployed and operational by March 31, 2026, then collect data through summer 2026.

Work Details
The solicitation outlines a detailed Statement of Work (SOW) which includes various tasks and deliverables. These include the design with conclusions supported by modeling results, component testing results, and results of trade studies; long lead item procurement; prototype unit test; critical design review; subscale test; system manufacturing and performance summary; system delivery to site, dry run test, and government handoff; system deployment, maintenance, and data collection support for two option periods. Additionally, it requires offerors to provide a technical approach to accomplish the objectives and scope laid out in this solicitation, a price breakdown, identification of teammates or subcontractors expected to comprise the team, data rights identification, representations and certifications submission, and oral presentations.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for this contract is not explicitly provided in the solicitation.

Place of Performance
The geographic location(s) where the contract will be performed is western Lake Superior.