In a move that articulates the strategic importance of the region, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is asking prospective contractors to come forward with a plan to develop new Arctic sensor systems. “DARPA is interested in concepts for low-cost, rapidly deployable, environmentally friendly, unmanned sensor systems,” the agency stated Feb. 24, on the federal government’s FedBizOpps.gov Web site. The systems should be able “to detect, track, and identify air, surface and subsurface targets,” according to the statement. Initial funding for the project would range between $500,000 and $750,000 for one year. Prospective developers would submit their proposals through DARPA’s Broad Agency Announcement Web site, or directly through its Arlington, Va., headquarters.