How to bid on Boosting Innovative GEOINT - Science & Technology Broad Agency Announcement (BIG-ST BAA) from NGA

What the NGA is buying and why it matters

The National Geospatial-intelligence Agency (NGA) is looking for innovative research proposals to solve complex problems in Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT). This is a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which means NGA is seeking novel scientific and technological approaches rather than specific products or services.

Currently, NGA has active Topic Calls. One is for academic grants in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Geodesy research. Another seeks abstracts for developing radio telescope signal chains using Very Long Baseline Interferometry with Global Navigational Satellite Systems (VLBI+G). This is an opportunity for research institutions and specialized firms to contribute to national security and advance GEOINT capabilities.

Key dates and what happens at the deadline

The overall BIG-ST BAA is open until December 14, 2026, at 11:59 PM ET. However, specific Topic Calls have their own deadlines.

For the Magnifying University Science Expertise (MUSE) Topic 02, proposals for SAR and Geodesy research are due by June 7, 2024, at 5:00 PM ET. Only proposers who submitted an abstract are eligible to submit a proposal.

For the VLBI+G Signal Chain Development Topic 03, abstracts are due by May 31, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST. Questions are due by May 15, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST. Proposals for this topic are due by July 9, 2024, at 5:00 PM EST. Again, only proposers who submit an abstract are eligible to submit a proposal.

Who this opportunity suits

This opportunity is best suited for academic institutions, research organizations, and companies with strong science and technology capabilities in geospatial intelligence, remote sensing, geodesy, and radio astronomy. The MUSE topic specifically targets academic grants.

Firms specializing in advanced sensor technologies, data analytics, foundational models, and signal processing relevant to GEOINT will find this BAA relevant. The VLBI+G topic is looking for expertise in radio telescope signal chain development.

How to respond to this solicitation

To respond, you must first access the official solicitation documents. Click “View original source” to open the opportunity on the portal. If you land on the homepage, click it again to go directly to the bid. You may need a free account to view all documents.

Do not submit to the general solicitation. You must respond to specific Topic Calls. Monitor Sam.gov and Grants.gov for updates and new Topic Calls under the BIG-ST BAA general solicitation (Opportunity ID: 351404). Each Topic Call will provide specific instructions for abstract and proposal submissions, including due dates and submission platforms (e.g., Grants.gov for MUSE).

For Topic 02 (MUSE) and Topic 03 (VLBI+G), note that submitting an abstract is a prerequisite for submitting a full proposal.

Tips for a competitive response

Carefully review the specific requirements for each Topic Call you are interested in. Pay close attention to the technical domains and the problem statements NGA is trying to solve. Your proposal should clearly articulate how your innovative concept directly addresses these challenges.

For BAA solicitations, emphasis is often placed on the novelty and scientific merit of the proposed research. Clearly define your methodology, expected outcomes, and the potential impact of your research on GEOINT capabilities. Highlight your team's expertise and any relevant past performance or publications.

Adhere strictly to all submission guidelines, including formatting, page limits, and deadlines for both abstracts and full proposals. For topics requiring abstracts before proposals, ensure your abstract is compelling and clearly outlines your proposed approach, as it determines your eligibility to submit a full proposal.