Opportunity Information: Apply for HDTRA1 19 S 0002 ASD URA
The Adaptive Signature Discovery University Research Alliance (ASD-URA) opportunity is a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) aimed at shifting part of DTRA's Basic Research Program into a University Research Alliance model. In practical terms, DTRA is looking to fund a university-led research alliance structure rather than a single stand-alone project, with the intent of organizing multiple collaborating organizations under one lead institution. The announcement notes that this change affects only a portion of the Basic Research Program and specifically states that the Chem Bio Program is not impacted by the move to the URA model.
This opportunity is discretionary and is expected to be awarded as a cooperative agreement, meaning the government anticipates substantial involvement in the execution of the program compared with a typical grant. The legal basis referenced is 31 U.S.C. 6305, which is the statute that defines and governs cooperative agreements. The cooperative agreement would be made to a U.S. institution of higher education that would serve as the lead for the alliance, coordinating the broader set of participating organizations.
The application process is structured as a two-phase competitive process, and eligibility to participate depends on completing an initial administrative step: a required, non-binding Letter of Intent (LoI). Even though the LoI is mandatory to be considered eligible to submit Phase I materials, it does not affect scoring or evaluation in either phase and does not create any contractual obligation. Its purpose is workload planning on DTRA's side, helping them forecast the volume and breadth of submissions and organize peer review resources.
Phase I consists of submitting a pre-proposal package that will be reviewed and evaluated by DTRA. Only applicants whose Phase I pre-proposals are selected based on evaluation results will be invited to submit a full proposal under Phase II. Phase II is therefore invitation-only, and the invitation decision is explicitly tied to the Phase I assessment. Key dates provided in the announcement include a deadline for the LoI of June 21, 2019, and a Phase I pre-proposal due date of July 17, 2019. The listing also shows an original closing date of September 30, 2020, indicating the BAA may have remained open for a period to accommodate cycles or multiple submissions under the program structure, depending on how DTRA managed the solicitation.
In terms of who can apply, the opportunity lists eligible applicants as "unrestricted," but the narrative makes clear that the cooperative agreement award is intended for a U.S. institution of higher education serving as the alliance lead. The program encourages alliances to include Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2362(e), signaling a strong preference for inclusive teaming and broad participation across the higher education research ecosystem. Applicants are directed to the BAA's eligibility section for full requirements and details on acceptable institutional roles and structures.
Administrative identifiers and classification details include the funding opportunity number HDTRA1-19-S-0002-ASD-URA, the CFDA number 12.351, and the activity category of Science and Technology and other Research and Development. The public listing does not specify an award ceiling or the anticipated number of awards, which typically means applicants need to consult the full BAA to understand the expected scale, budget ranges, period of performance, and any constraints on how funds may be allocated across alliance members.Apply for HDTRA1 19 S 0002 ASD URA
- The Defense Threat Reduction Agency in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Adaptive Signature Discovery University Research Alliance (ASD-URA)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.351.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2019-05-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2020-09-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1) What is the Adaptive Signature Discovery University Research Alliance (ASD-URA) opportunity?
ASD-URA is a Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) that shifts part of DTRA's Basic Research Program into a University Research Alliance (URA) model. Instead of funding a single stand-alone research project, DTRA is seeking to fund a university-led alliance structure that can organize and coordinate multiple collaborating organizations under one lead institution.
2) Which DTRA program areas are affected by the move to the URA model?
The announcement states that only a portion of DTRA's Basic Research Program is affected by the move to a URA model. It also explicitly states that the Chem Bio Program is not impacted by this change.
3) What type of award is expected under this opportunity?
The opportunity is expected to be awarded as a cooperative agreement. This implies the government anticipates substantial involvement in the execution of the program compared with a typical grant.
4) What legal authority is cited for the cooperative agreement?
The opportunity references 31 U.S.C. 6305, which is the statute that defines and governs cooperative agreements.
5) Who is intended to receive the cooperative agreement award?
Although the listing shows eligible applicants as "unrestricted," the narrative indicates the cooperative agreement is intended to be made to a U.S. institution of higher education that will serve as the lead for the alliance and coordinate participating organizations.
6) Is the application process competitive?
Yes. The application process is described as a two-phase competitive process. Phase I involves submission and evaluation of pre-proposals, and only selected applicants are invited to submit a full proposal in Phase II.
7) What are the phases of the application process?
The process has two phases:
- Phase I: Submission of a pre-proposal package for DTRA review and evaluation.
- Phase II: Submission of a full proposal, but only if invited based on Phase I evaluation results.
8) Is Phase II open to anyone who wants to apply?
No. Phase II is invitation-only. The decision to invite an applicant to Phase II is explicitly tied to the Phase I assessment.
9) Is a Letter of Intent (LoI) required?
Yes. A Letter of Intent (LoI) is required as an initial administrative step to be considered eligible to submit Phase I materials.
10) Is the Letter of Intent (LoI) binding or scored?
No. The LoI is described as required but non-binding. It does not affect scoring or evaluation in either phase, and it does not create any contractual obligation.
11) What is the purpose of the required LoI?
The purpose of the LoI is workload planning for DTRA. It helps DTRA forecast the volume and breadth of submissions and organize peer review resources.
12) What are the key dates mentioned for this opportunity?
The information provided includes:
- LoI deadline: June 21, 2019
- Phase I pre-proposal due date: July 17, 2019
- Original closing date shown on the listing: September 30, 2020
13) What does the original closing date of September 30, 2020 suggest?
The listing shows an original closing date of September 30, 2020, which suggests the BAA may have remained open for a period to accommodate cycles or multiple submissions under the program structure, depending on how DTRA managed the solicitation.
14) What kind of teaming or alliance structure is DTRA seeking?
DTRA is looking for a university-led research alliance structure rather than a single project. The lead institution is expected to coordinate a broader set of participating organizations as part of the alliance.
15) Are Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Institutions (MIs) encouraged to participate?
Yes. The program encourages alliances to include HBCUs and Minority Institutions (MIs) as defined in 10 U.S.C. 2362(e), indicating a strong preference for inclusive teaming and broad participation across the higher education research ecosystem.
16) Where should applicants look for detailed eligibility requirements?
Applicants are directed to the BAA's eligibility section for full requirements and details on acceptable institutional roles and structures.
17) What is the funding opportunity number for ASD-URA?
The funding opportunity number is HDTRA1-19-S-0002-ASD-URA.
18) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 12.351.
19) What is the activity category for this opportunity?
The activity category is Science and Technology and other Research and Development.
20) Does the public listing specify the award ceiling or anticipated number of awards?
No. The public listing does not specify an award ceiling or the anticipated number of awards.
21) Where can applicants find information on budget ranges, period of performance, or funding constraints?
Because the public listing does not provide an award ceiling, number of awards, or other scale details, applicants would typically need to consult the full BAA to understand expected scale, budget ranges, period of performance, and any constraints on allocating funds across alliance members.
22) Is this opportunity described as discretionary?
Yes. The opportunity is described as discretionary.
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