Optomechanical Thermal Imaging (OpTIm) Technical Area (TA) 2 Proposers Day

Background
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Defense Sciences Office (DSO) is sponsoring a collateral SECRET Proposers Day to provide information to potential proposers on the objectives of an anticipated Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Technical Area (TA) 2 of the Optomechanical Thermal Imaging (OpTIm) program. The goals of the OpTIm TA2 Proposers Day are to: (1) introduce the cleared research community (industry, academia, and Government) to the OpTIm TA2 vision and goals; (2) explain the solicitation mechanics and milestones of this particular effort; and (3) 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 OpTIm TA2 goals.

The OpTIm program aims to demonstrate new modalities and capabilities for the detection of infrared (IR) radiation in low-SWaP, room temperature packages. By combining innovations in nanophotonics, functional materials, and quantum-limited sensing paradigms, TA2 will develop and demonstrate imaging systems offering unprecedented sensitivity, speed, and other capabilities for new regimes of versatile IR detection.

Work Details
The OpTIm TA2 BAA is expected to consist of an Unclassified BAA with a collateral SECRET addendum. DARPA anticipates releasing the OpTIm TA2 BAA in September 2023. DARPA strongly encourages participation by non‐traditional proposers in events such as this and any subsequent solicitation. Potential proposers may choose to participate in either, none, or both of the following options:
1. Attendee List (limited distribution): Participant contact information will be distributed to all other Proposers Day attendees.
2. Proposer Profile List (limited distribution): Interested parties will submit a one-page unclassified profile consisting of their contact information, a brief description of their technical competencies, and their desired expertise from other teams/organizations. Attendees may be afforded the opportunity to give a 3-minute oral presentation during the Proposers Day outlining their unclassified interests and capabilities.

Period of Performance
The OpTIm TA2 Proposers Day will be held on September 15, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

Place of Performance
The Proposers Day will be held at the DARPA Conference Center (DCC, 675 North Randolph Street, Arlington, VA 22203).