[jimmyswimmy]

If you're going to create a new ARPA, don't forget to put strict limits on the tenure of your PMs, and high expectations on the outcomes of their projects. This will ensure the usual DARPA program has unreasonable and unachievable schedules. For bonus points make sure your PMs treat their performing contractors as disposable.

I've worked several programs for DARPA and do not recommend it. The roughly 5 year maximum tenure of a PM there forces ridiculous schedules which culminate in a project that is passed on to the next PM to take the role. The new PM is busy with her own ideas and is completely uninterested in the old one's project. It's not that satisfying to work for these guys despite the fading cachet of their name.