The USDA R&D addresses all aspects of agricultural and rural activities. Its major science-oriented agencies are: Agricultural Research Service (ARS); Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service (CSREES);

Economic Research Service; Forest Service; National Agricultural Statistics Service and Natural Resource Conservation Service.

The nine Forest Service research stations conduct most intramural R&D and over 100 ARS research facilities that are located that are located throughout the country. The USDA's Program is located within CSREES and provides research opportunities in eleven broad topic areas, including: Forests and Related Resources; Plant Production and Protection – Biology; Plant Production and Protection – Engineering; Animal Production and Protection; Air, Water and Soils; Food Science and Nutrition; Rural and Community Development; Aquaculture; Industrial Applications; Marketing and Trade and Wildlife. USDA SBIR Program solicitations are issued once a year on June 1st. Copies are available on the USDA SBIR website. For information about the USDA SBIR Program contact:

Research or Development Orientation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is research-oriented, meaning that the “science” component of proposed work is important. The research USDA is interested in falls into eight different categories. These categories are not to be interpreted as exclusive areas of interest, but rather should serve as general guidelines. Each year’s solicitation contains further details.

Dollar Amount to be Awarded

Phase I up to $80,000
Phase II up to $300,000

Review and Award Process

Phase I and II proposals will be judged competitively in a two-stage process, based primarily upon scientific/technical merit. First, each proposal will be screened by USDA scientists to ensure that it is responsive to stated requirements in the solicitation. Proposals found to be responsive will be technically evaluated by peer scientists knowledgeable in the appropriate scientific field. External peer reviewers may be used during the technical evaluation stage. Selections will be made from among recognized specialists who are uniquely qualified by training and experience in their respective fields to render expert advice on the merit of the proposals received. It is anticipated that such experts will include those located in universities, government, and non-profit research organizations.

After final decisions have been announced, written reviews of the proposal will be sent to the proposed Principal Investigator(s). The debriefing will not include the identity of the reviewers.

Research Topics

Forests and Related Resources
Plant Production and Protection
Animal Production and Protection
Air, Water, and Soils
Food Science and Nutrition
Rural and Community Development
Aquaculture
Industrial Applications
Marketing & Trade

Department of Commerce

The Department of Commerce promotes job creations, economic growth, and sustainable development and improved living standards for all Americans by working in partnership with business, universities, communities and workers to:

Build for the future and promote U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace by strengthening and safeguarding the nation’s economic infrastructure.
Keep America competitive with cutting-edge science, technology and an unrivaled information base.
Provide effective management and stewardship of the nation’s resources and assets to ensure sustainable economic opportunities.

The Commerce Department touches the daily lives of Americans in many ways. It makes possible the weather reports heard everyday. It facilitates technology Americans use in the workplace, home and it supports the development, gathering and transmitting of information essential to competitive business.

The Department of Commerce makes possible the diversity of companies and goods found in America (and the world’s) marketplaces. It supports environmental and economic health for communities in which Americans live and conducts the constitutionally mandated census, which is the basis of representative democracy.

Research or Development Orientation

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology conduct research and development within the department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce is primarily development-oriented. All proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis. Each proposal will be screened by DOC staff to ensure that it meets the administrative requirements of the solicitation. Proposals that meet these requirements will be peer reviewed, undergo competition within each laboratory, and may also undergo a third round of competition across the agency.

After final award decisions have been announced, the technical evaluations of a proposal will be provided to the proposer only upon written request and only for a period of 90 days. The identity of the reviewers will not be disclosed.

Research Topics

Topic Areas from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):

Advanced Biological and Chemical Sensing Technologies
Advanced Building Materials and Systems
Advanced Detection and Suppression of Fires
Condition-Based Maintenance
Information Infrastructure Security (Electronic Commerce)
Integration of Manufacturing Applications
Intelligent Control
Nanotechnology Applications
Microelectronics Manufacturing Infrastructure
Photonics Manufacturing
General

Evaluation Criteria Topic Areas from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Subtopics within these areas are determined each year:

Atmospheric Sciences
Ocean Observation Systems
Living Marine Resources
Ocean Science
Cartography, Photogrammetry, Hydrography, & Geodesy

Department of Defense

The DoD’s SBIR program annually funds approximately $1 billion in early-stage R&D projects at small technology companies – projects that serve a DoD need and have the potential for commercialization in private sector and/or military markets. As part of its SBIR program, the DoD issues an SBIR research solicitation three to four times a year describing its R&D needs and inviting R&D proposals from small companies. Companies apply first for a six-month Phase I award of up to $100,000 to test the scientific, technical and commercial merit and feasibility of a particular concept. If Phase I proves successful, the company may be invited to apply for a two-year Phase II award of up to $750,000 to further develop the concept, usually to prototype stage. Proposals are judged competitively on the basis of scientific, technical and commercial merit.

The DoD’s STTR program is similar in structure to SBIR but funds cooperative R&D involving a small business and research institution such as a university, federally-funded R&D center (FFRDC) or nonprofit research institution.

Recent changes in the DoD SBIR/STTR program include the following:

DoD has adopted commercialization of SBIR/STTR technology (in military and/or private sector markets) as a critical measure of performance for both the DoD SBIR/STTR program and the companies that participate in the program. Companies submitting SBIR/STTR proposals to DoD are now asked to provide the commercialization results of their prior Phase II awards, which are considered in the proposal evaluation process among other factors.
Under DoD’s “Fast Track” policy, SBIR/STTR projects that attract some matching cash from an outside investor for the Phase II effort have a higher chance of Phase II award, and also receive expedited processing and interim funding between Phases I and II.
Proposer’s SBIR/STTR Phase I and II Proposals, Company Commercialization Report and Fast Track Application must be submitted electronically at www.dcdsbir.net/submission.
Each DoD Component (Army, Navy, Air Force, etc) has developed its own Phase II Enhancement policy. Under this policy, the Component will provide a phase II Company with additional phase II SBIR/STTR funding if the company can match the additional SBIR/STTR funds from DoD acquisition programs or the private sector.

All DoD SBIR and STTR solicitations are available in electronic format only from www.dcdsbir.net, in accordance with the Government Paperwork Elimination Act.

During the Pre-lease period, proposers may communicate directly with the topic authors to ask technical questions. Once the solicitation opens, direct communication is no longer allowed however written questions may be asked through the IBIR/STTR Interactive Technical Information System (SITIS), in which the questioner and respondent remain anonymous and all questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing.

Participating Military Components

Army
Navy
Air Force
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)
Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)
National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA)
Special Operations Command (SOCOM)
Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO)
Office of Secretary of Defense/ Director Defense Research and Engineering (OSD/DDR&E)

Department of the Army

The Army works to maintain its technological edge by partnering with industry and academia. Agile, free thinking, small, high tech companies often generate the most innovative and significant solutions to meet our soldiers’ needs. The Army seeks to harness these talents for the benefit of our solders through the SBIR Program.

The Army is undertaking a transformation to better meet small-scale contingencies without compromising major theatre war capability. This transformation has had a major impact on the entire Army Science and Technology (S&T) enterprise – to include the SBIR program. To supply the new weapon systems and supporting technologies needed by the transformed Future Force (FF), the Army has initiated the Future Combat Systems (FCS) program. The SBIR program has been aligned with FCS and FF technology categories – this will be an ongoing process as FF/FCS needs change and evolve.

Army R&D is conducted by a multi-billion dollar network of laboratories and research centers located within the Army’s major commands: (1) Army Material Command (which includes the Army Research Laboratory; the Army Research Office; the Simulation & Training Technology Center; and seven Research, Development & Engineering Centers); (2) Space & Missile Defense Command; (3) Medical Command (Medical Research & Material Command); (4) Corps of Engineers (Engineer Research & Development Center); (5) Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (Army Research Institute); and (6) Army Test & Evaluation Command (Developmental Test Command).

Each Army R&D organization has a Technical Industrial Liaison Office (TILO) or a Small Business Office. These offices provide information about their organization’s research interests, as well as upcoming opportunities to interested firms. It is suggested that small businesses contact these offices, particularly the Small Business Offices, to learn about specific Army opportunities. To obtain specific information about the Army SBIR and STTR Programs and other contracting opportunities, visit the Army Research Office website.

Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBD)

In response to Congressional interest in the readiness and effectiveness of U. S. Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare defenses, Title XVII of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1994 (Public Law 103-160) required the Department of Defense (DoD) to consolidate management and oversight of the Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) Program into a single office – the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs, DATSD (CBD). The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) draws upon the efforts for proper preparation and response in the event of a biological weapons attack against U. S. forces of territory, or those of our allies. The executive agent for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) portion of the CBD Program Is the Army Research Office – Washington (ARO-W).

The mission of the Chemical and Biological Defense Program is to ensure that the U.S. military has the capability to operate effectively and decisively in the face of biological or chemical warfare threats at home or abroad. Numerous rapidly-changing factors continually influence the program and its management. This includes planning for war – fighting support to asymmetrical threats, the evolving geopolitical environment, U.S. participation in the Chemical Weapons Convention, the threat of global proliferation of chemical and biological weapons and DoD resources available. Improved defensive capabilities are essential in order to minimize the impact of such weapons. U.S. forces require aggressive, realistic training and the finest equipment available that allows them to avoid contamination, if possible and to protect, decontaminate and sustain operations. Further information about the DoD CBD Program (and related programs) is available from the DoD Counterproliferation and Chemical Biological Defense website.

The overall objective of the CBD SBIR Program is to improve the transition or transfer of innovative CBD technologies between DoD and the private sector for mutual benefit. The CBD SBIR Program targets those technology efforts that maximize a strong defensive posture in a biological or chemical environment using passive and active means as deterrents. These technologies include chemical and biological detection identification; modeling and simulation; contamination avoidance & decontamination; protection of both individual war fighters & equipment; medical pre-treatment, diagnostics and treatment.

Department of the Navy

The U.S. Navy’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Programs funds science and technology areas that enhance the Navy’s capabilities through innovations developed by small businesses. It focuses on dual-use technologies, anticipating that the products of each SBIR research and development effort will be useful to the military and private sector. The SBIR program was designed to provide funding that would stimulate technological innovation in small businesses and meet government research and development needs.

In October and May of each year, the DoD places the SBIR solicitation on the Internet in a pre-solicitation status. During this time only, companies may call and speak to the topic authors directly. The solicitation officially opens early December with a mid-January closing date, and also early July with a mid-August closing date. There is one solicitation per year for the STTR program with a closing date typically in April. For the SBIR program, Phase I awards are limited to a $70,000 base with a $30,000 option and Phase II awards limited to a $400,000 base with a $100,000 option.

The Navy requires that a DoD Proposal Coversheet, complete technical proposal and a DoD Company Commercialization Report be submitted electronically through either the Navy website at www.navysbir.com or the DoD website at www.dodsbir.net/submission. Always refer to the Navy’s section of the solicitation in which you are proposing and follow that guidance.

Department of the Air Force

The Air Force requires innovative technology in a wide assortment of areas related to aerospace development. In terms of budget and contract awards, the Air Force SBIR Program is the largest within the DoD and operates with a budget of over $320 million.

Air Force SBIR topics originate at the directorates of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as well as a number of test centers and logistics organizations located around the United States. Each of these locations employs an onsite SBIR Program Manager. The Air Force SBIR Program has yielded a stream of innovative technology solutions in the fields of lasers, optics, avionics, electronics, materials, engines, command and control, space flight, human systems, aircraft design, environmental quality, lubricants, and fuels to name just a few.

To obtain a detailed brochure or to get answers to specific questions on the Air Force Program, access the AF SBIR/STTR shopping mall at www.sbirsttrmall.com or contact the Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Office.

Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)

DARPA’s mission continues to act as the technical enabler for radical innovation for national security. We are pursuing three main mission areas that have endured since DARPA’s founding in 1958, even as individual technologies change. DARPA’s enduring mission areas are:

To find technical solutions to National-Level Problems. The Agency’s priority is on problems that may impact our national survival.

To be the technical enabler for the innovation required for our warfighters to achieve dominance across the range of military operations – Operational Dominance.

To develop and exploit high-risk Core Technologies for our Nation’s defense in the area of National-Level Problems, DARPA’s programs are focused on biological warfare defense and information assurance and survivability. The biological warfare defense effort is developing therapeutics countermeasures, advanced sensors, advanced diagnostics, air and water purification devices, and genetic sequencing codes for potential biological threat agents. In the area of information assurance and survivability, DARPA is developing technologies to raise strong barriers against cyber attack and provide commanders with mechanisms to see, counter, tolerate, and survive sophisticated cyber attacks. DARPA invests approximately 15 percent of its annual budget in this mission area.

In the area of enabling Operational Dominance, DARPA is investing in technologies and systems for affordable, precision moving target kill for both offensive and defensive missions and dynamic command and control capabilities for mobile networks and near-real-time logistics planning and replanning. Other programs include technologies and systems that will enable future warfare concepts for air, space, land and sea.

We believe that one key to Operational Dominance will be combined manned and unmanned operations- this will give the future U.S. military an overwhelming edge. Our investments in advanced, high-speed networks, complex system design and operation, wireless communications, microcircuits that combine information technologies and biological systems, and other areas, will enable the U.S. to conduct successful combined manned and unmanned military operations. Providing this technical edge is the key to our involvement with the Army in developing Future Combat Systems (FCS). Our vision for FCS is revolutionary- a network-centric land warfare system of systems composed of manned and unmanned nodes. It will give the U.S. a capability that no other nation possesses.

Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA)

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is seeking small businesses with strong research and development capabilities and experience in nuclear weapons effect, phenomenology, operations, and counter proliferation. We are not interested in nuclear design or manufacture.

Missile Defense Agency (MDA)

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is tasked with providing missile defense system to protect the U.S., its forces deployed abroad, and its friends and allies against accidental, unauthorized, and limited ballistic missile strikes. The agency had three mission focus areas. The first priority is Theater Missile Defense (TMD), which is specifically designed to address the new and emerging dangers associated with short to medium range missile systems, to include cruise missiles. The second priority is National Missile Defense (NMD), which is designed for protection of the U.S. homeland. The third priority is Advanced Technology Developments (ATD), which enhance the performance of both TMD and NMD systems at all system levels.

The SBIR Program is administered by the MDA Office of Small and Disadvantage Business Utilization (MDA/SB). The MDA Advanced Technology (MDA/AT) is responsible for the Technology Applications Program, which provides unique opportunities for previous MDA SBIR award winners.

National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA)

The National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) provides timely, relevant, and accurate geospatial intelligence in support of national security objectives. Geospatial intelligence is the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information to describe, assess, and visually depict physical features and geographically referenced activities on Earth. Information collected and processed by NGA is tailored for customer-specific solutions. By giving customers ready access to geospatial intelligence, NGA provides support to civilian and military leaders and contributes to the state of readiness of U.S. military forces.

NGA supports its vision of “Know the Earth… Show the Way” by providing geospatial-intelligence in all its forms-imagery, imagery intelligence, and geospatial data and information. The Agency ensures access to geospatial intelligence and provides tailored, customer-specific geospatial analysis, services, and solutions.

Although the Intelligence Community is exempt from SBIR, NGA participates voluntarily in the first DoD SBIR solicitation annually. Potential proposers unfamiliar with NGA and its SBIR program can find more information at the NGA website. If you know the earth and can help us show the way, then NGA wants to hear from you. Check out our topics in the DoD SBIR solicitation.

OSD Deputy Director of Defense, Research and Engineering

The Army, Navy, and Air Force, acting on behalf of the Office of Technology Transition in the Office of the Director, Defense Research and Engineering, seek small business firms with strong research and development capabilities in science or engineering that also have the ability to commercialize results. The OSD SBIR program encourages technology transfer by focusing topics on advanced development projects with a high probability of commercialization success, both in the government and private sector.

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

USSOCOM’s SBIR Program began in 1993 and is an integral part of its advance concepts and technology goals. The primary technology is to support the individual operator by developing and acquiring unique special operations forces (SOF) systems, equipment, and capabilities. Desired SOF characteristics include: reliable, maintainable, and simplistic, modular, rugged, built in survivability, lightweight and micro-sized, low energy/power requirements, reduced signature and low observability, operable in extreme environments, water depth and atmosphere pressure proof, compatible with conventional force systems, transportable by aircraft, ship, and submarine, deployable by air drop, LPI/LPD, jam resistant C3I, electronic warfare capable of disruption and deception, highly lethal and destructive, and near real-time surveillance, intelligence and mission planning.

USSOCOM seeks small high technology firms with strong research and development capabilities with an understanding of the necessity for consideration of these SOF operational characteristics when proposing innovative solutions to topic areas identified in USSOCOM’s SBIR Program.

Department of Education

Research or Development Orientation

Department of Education topics may be research or development-oriented. SBIR topics have included (1) development of computer hardware and software to enhance learning, (2) models and guides to improve the educational opportunities of handicapped persons, and (3) technology for vocational education, training, and placement.

Dollar Amount to be Awarded

Phase I up to $60,000
Phase II up to $300,000

Review and Award Process

Phase I proposals will be judged on a competitive basis in a two stage process. All proposals will be screened initially to ensure that they meet the stated proposal requirements as stated in the solicitation. Persons who are experts in the topic areas will then evaluate proposals meeting those requirements. Reviewers will include people outside the Federal Government. Awards will be made by the Department of Education based upon these criteria and availability of funds.

After final award decisions have been announced, the technical evaluation of the proposal may be provided to the Principal Investigator upon written request. The identity of the reviewer(s) will not be disclosed.

Research Topics

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education:

Development of innovative technology and/or devices, for use in schools to detect guns and other weapons in a non-obstructive manner
Development of innovative software applications for use in schools, to collect, synthesize and analyze school-based crime and disciplinary data

Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services:

Development of technology for access and success for students and adults with disabilities in education and the workplace, with a focus on the built or electronic/ information environments
Research on improving the Sensory or motor health and functional status of individuals with disabilities of all ages
Development of assistive technology to improve the functional ability of students and adults with disabilities
Development of technologies to improve the transition from school-to-work and employment for students and adults with disabilities
Research in positive behavioral supports and independent living/ community integration to allow individuals with emotional, behavioral, or life support needs to participate in educational, vocational, and everyday life activities
Research on technologies or strategies for all aspects of early intervention in infants, toddlers, and small children
Research, Development, or outcome measurements in cross-cutting disability and rehabilitation related technologies and software

Office of Vocational and Adult Education:

Development of instructional materials and/or assessment instruments that will assist secondary teachers in teaching and documenting student achievement in one (1) of five (5) career clusters with established standards

Office of Educational Research and Improvement:

Development or adaptation of emerging and cutting-edge technology for improving teaching and learning in pre-kindergarten to post-secondary education, or for supporting school/classroom management and comprehensive school reform.

Department of Energy

Research or Development Orientation

Although DOE is a hybrid of research and development orientation, the agency leans research over development. Read closely the specific topics described in the solicitation to discern the emphasis a topic manager is seeking. Some topics obviously contemplate basic research projects, others are development-oriented. Do not stretch a research-oriented topic to fit your clearly development-oriented project or vice versa.

Dollar Amount to be Awarded

Phase I up to $100,000
Phase II up to $750,000

Review and Award Process

Phase I grant applications will be judged on a competitive basis in several stages. All will be screened initially by DOE to ensure that they meet the stated requirements, are responsive to the topic and subtopic entered on the cover page, contain sufficient information for meaningful technical review and do not duplicate other previous or current work. From those grant applications considered candidates for funding, each of the eleven DOE program areas will select a pre-determined number for funding based on the evaluation criteria and on such factors as program balance and needs. The selection of grant applications for awards will be completed approximately four months after the closing date of the solicitation. Grant awards will be completed approximately two months after the solicitation closes.

Research Topics

DOE's solicitation contains topics in technical areas such as:

Advanced Scientific Computing Research
Basic Energy Sciences
Biological and Environmental Research
Defense Nuclear Proliferation
High Energy Physics
Fusion Energy Systems
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Nuclear Energy
Fossil Energy
Environmental Management

From those grant applications considered candidates for funding, each of the eleven DOE program areas will select a predetermined number for funding based on the evaluation criteria and on such factors as program balance and needs.

Environmental Protection Agency

Research or Development Orientation

Pollution control is the theme of EPA’s SBIR topics. The technical topics in past SBIR solicitations were quite general and development oriented, as illustrated by the following topic description:

Biotechnology Applications for Control of Selected Hazardous Wastes
Numerous hazardous organic chemical wastes are managed via landfills or containment mechanisms at this time by the chemical industry at a substantial expense. Research is needed to develop biotechnology-based waste control approaches, including appropriate genetic engineering concepts, which may serve to reduce the cost of such management.

Dollar Amount to be Awarded

Phase I up to $70,000
Phase II up to $295,000

Review and Award Process

All proposals will be evaluated and judged on a competitive basis. Proposals will initially be screened to determine responsiveness. Proposals passing the initial screening will be technically evaluated by engineers or scientists to determine the most promising technical and scientific approaches. The technical review is an external peer review process. All peer reviewers will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

Research Topics

Control and Monitoring of Mobile Source Emissions:

Digital Valve Technology for Engines
Heavy Duty Diesel Engine After-Treatment for NOx and Particulate Matter
On-Vehicle Diesel Fuel Sulfur Control
On-Vehicle Real-Time Monitoring
Air Toxics Monitoring and Low Level Particulate Mass Measurement

Technologies for Stormwater, CSOs, and Urban Infrastructure:

Control of Stormwater Runoff & Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO’s)
In-Situ Treatment of Urban Sediments and Rehabilitation of Urban Infrastructure

Regular Phase I Solicitation (excludes Mobile Sources and Stormwater Subtopics):

Nanomaterials and Clean Technology
Control of Air Pollution
Drinking Water and Municipal/Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Solid Waste Recycling
Hazardous Waste Management
Site Remediation, and Monitoring and Measurement Technologies

Department of Health and Human Services

Research or Development Orientation

Over 95 percent of SBIR funds available from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are awarded by two Public Health Service (PHS) sub-agencies: the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health Administration (ADAMHA). PHS sub-agencies are research-oriented.

PHS awards both grants and contracts. Grant awards are more flexible than contracts; grants may be made for any subject matter that falls within the broad PHS mission. Contract proposals, however, must respond to specific solicitation topics.

Dollar Amount to be Awarded

Phase I up to $100,000
Phase II up to $750,000

Review and Award Process

Grant applications are subjected to a review process involving two sequential steps, both of which are required by law. The first step is performed by the SRGs, composed primarily of non-federal scientists selected for their competence in particular scientific fields. The task of the SRGs is to evaluate SBIR applications for scientific and technical merit and potential for commercialization. Each grant application generates a summary statement of the written critiques of two or more assigned reviewers. Reviewers may make recommendations related to the hypothesis or underlying principles, scope, direction, and conduct of the proposed research or R&D effort and suggest a funding level and duration of support.

The second level of review is by the National Advisory Councils or Boards of the awarding components to which the grant application is assigned. These groups, composed of scientists, physicians, and leaders in public affairs, are chosen for their expertise, interest, or activity in matters related to the awarding component's mission. If the council or board recommends an action other than that recommended by the SRG, the awarding component will send a letter to the principal investigator indicating the action and its rationale. Subsequent decisions concerning the funding of applications will take into account elements such as the relevance of the goals of the proposed research to the mission of the awarding component, program balance, overlapping support from other sources, and the availability of funds. The awarding component will notify the principal investigator and the applicant small business concern of the final disposition of the application.

Awarding Components

The PHS SBIR Program encompasses 21 awarding components from the National Institutes of Health, in addition to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration, Trans-NIH Research Programs, the Administration for Children & Families, and the Health Care Financing Administration.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Research or Development Orientation

NASA is generally development-oriented. Read the topic descriptions in the solicitation carefully to discern the emphasis a topic manager intends, In all cases, the goal is a commercial product or service in Phase III.

Dollar Amount to be Awarded

Phase I up to $70,000
Phase II up to $600,000

Review and Award Process

Proposals judged to be responsive to the administrative requirements of the Solicitation and having a reasonable potential of meeting a NASA need, as evidenced by the abstract, will be evaluated on a competitive basis. Proposals should provide all information needed for complete evaluation and evaluators are not expected to seek additional information. Evaluations will be performed by NASA scientists and engineers and by qualified experts outside of NASA (including industry, academia, and other Government agencies) as required to determine or verify the merit of a proposal. Offerors should not assume that evaluators are acquainted with the firm, key individuals, or with any experiments or other information.

After a proposal is evaluated, it will be ranked relative to all other proposals. Selection decisions will consider the recommendations from all Centers, Strategic Enterprises, overall NASA priorities, and program balance. An offeror's past performance evaluations under prior NASA contracts may be reviewed by the Source Selection Official and considered in making the final selection decision. The SBIR Source Selection Official has the final authority for choosing the specific proposals for contract negotiation.

After final Phase I and II selection decisions have been announced, a critique for an unsuccessful offeror may be provided to the offeror's corporate official or their designee via e-mail. Telephone requests will not be accepted. Debriefings are not opportunities to reopen selection decisions. They are intended to acquaint the offeror with perceived strengths/weaknesses of the proposal and perhaps to provide suggestions for constructive future action by the offeror.

Research Topics

Aero-space Technology
Human Exploration and Development of Space
Earth Science
Space Science
Cross Enterprise

National Science Foundation

Research or Development Orientation

NSF is research-oriented. Its basic charter is to add to scientific knowledge and to further scientific investigation. However, the SBIR programs are based on a pilot SBIR program at NSF and the NSF program managers are leading advocates of the special objectives of the SBIR programs. Because NSF places significant emphasis on the future commercial potential of SBIR projects, make sure that your proposals discuss development effort planned for Phase II and the project’s Phase III commercial potential.

The model SBIR firm at SNSF is an established small firm that has successfully advanced technology through past research efforts and has developed related commercial products or services. Although a letter offering follow-on private sector support is not required for Phase I proposals, NSF’s emphasis on commercial potential suggests it would be wise to obtain and attach one to your Phase I proposal.

Dollar Amount to be Awarded

Phase I up to $100,000
Phase II up to $750,000

Review and Award Process

Proposals will be screened to determine the responsiveness to the specific requirements of the solicitation. Proposals found to be responsive will be competitively evaluated in a process of external merit review by scientists, engineers, or educators knowledgeable in the appropriate field. Most reviewers are located in universities and government. Proposals will be handled on a confidential basis and care will be taken to avoid conflicts of interest.

When an award or declination is made, the following are mailed to the PI: verbatim copies of reviews, excluding names of reviewers; summaries of review panel deliberations, if any; a description of the process by which the proposal was reviewed; and context of the decision.

Research Topics

A fundamental mission of NSF is to promote discoveries and to advance education across the frontiers of knowledge in science and engineering. Consistent with that mission, NSF encourages and supports a wide range of proposals from the research and the education community and also from the private small business sector.

(AM) Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Systems
(IT) Information-Based Technologies
(BT) Biotechnology
(EL) Electronics

Department of Transportation

Research or Development Orientation

The Department of Transportation is development-oriented. Read the topic descriptions in the solicitation carefully to discern the emphasis the topic manager intends. In every instance, you should be targeting a Phase III commercial product or service.

Dollar Amount to be Awarded

Phase I up to $100,000
Phase II up to $750,000

Review and Award Process

A Proposal Review Panel, chaired by the Department's SBIR Program Director and comprised of senior management officials representing the Department's Operating Administrations and the Office of the Secretary, will arrange for review and evaluation by professionals, in their respective organizations, of all Phase I proposals that meet the requirements of the solicitation. The Proposal Review Panel will review the technical evaluations by the specialists and recommend to the Program Director the proposals for award. The Program Director will announce the award.

After final awards have been announced, a debriefing of the overall comments on the proposal may be provided to the proposer upon request of the proposer. The identity of the evaluators will not be disclosed.

Participating Agencies

Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Railroad Administration
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
United States Coast Guard

Department of Homeland Security

Research or Development Orientation

The Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) is the external funding arm for the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology division. HSARPA is generally development-oriented. This orientation can be seen from its following missions:

Identify and develop revolutionary technologies;
Satisfy DHS customers' operational needs for advanced technology;
Rapid prototyping/commercial adaptation of technologies.

Dollar Amount to be Awarded

Phase I up to $100,000
Phase II up to $750,000

Review and Award Process

Phase I proposals will be evaluated on a competitive basis and will be considered to be binding for six (6) months from the date of closing of this solicitation unless the offeror states otherwise. If selection has not been made prior to the proposal's expiration date, offerors will be requested as to whether or not they want to extend their proposal for an additional period of time. Proposals meeting stated solicitation requirements will be evaluated by scientists or engineers knowledgeable in the topic area. Proposals will be evaluated first on their relevance to the chosen topic. A proposal that meets the goals of a solicitation topic but does not use the exact approach specified in the topic will be considered relevant. Final decisions will be made based upon evaluation criteria and consideration of other factors including possible duplication of other work and program balance.

Phase II proposals will be subject to a technical review process similar to Phase I. Final decisions will be made based upon the scientific and technical evaluations and other factors, including a commitment for Phase III follow-on funding, the possible duplication with other research or research and development, program balance, budget limitations, and the potential of a successful Phase II effort leading to a product of continuing interest to DHS. HSARPA is not obligated to make any awards under Phase II, and all awards are subject to the availability of funds. HSARPA is not responsible for any monies expended by the proposer before award of a contract.

Upon written request and after final award decisions have been announced, a debriefing will be provided to unsuccessful offerors on their proposals (see Section 6.4). Restrictive notices notwithstanding, proposals may be handled, for administrative purposes only, by support contractors. All support contractors are bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements.

Research Topics

New System/Technologies to Detect Low Vapor Pressure Chemicals (e.g., Tics)
Chem-Bio Sensors Employing Novel Receptor Scaffolds
Advanced Low Cost Aerosol Collectors for Surveillance Sensors and Personal Monitoring
Computer Modeling Tool For Vulnerability Assessment of U.S. Infrastructure
Marine Asset Tag Tracking System
AIS Tracking and Collision Avoidance Equipment For Small Boats
Ship Compartment Inspection Device
Advanced Secure Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) And Related Distributed Control Systems