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Program overview
The purpose of DoD's SBIR and STTR programs is to harness the innovative talents of our nation's small technology companies for U.S. military and economic strength.
SBIR
DoD's SBIR program funds early-stage R&D projects at small technology companies -- projects which serve a DoD need and have the potential for commercialization in private sector and/or military markets. The program, funded at approximately $1.079 billion in FY 2005, is part of a larger ($2 billion) federal SBIR program administered by ten federal agencies.
As part of its SBIR program, the DoD issues an SBIR solicitation four times a year, describing its R&D needs and inviting R&D proposals from small companies -- firms organized for profit with 500 or fewer employees, including all affiliated firms. Companies apply first for a six-month to nine-month phase I award of $70,000 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 $500,000 to $750,000 to further develop the concept, usually to the prototype stage. Proposals are judged competitively on the basis of scientific, technical, and commercial merit. Following completion of phase II, small companies are expected to obtain funding from the private sector and/or non-SBIR government sources (in "phase III") to develop the concept into a product for sale in private sector and/or military markets.
STTR
In 1992, Congress established the STTR pilot program. STTR is similar in structure to SBIR but funds cooperative R&D projects involving a small business and a research institution (i.e., university, federally-funded R&D center, or nonprofit research institution). The purpose of STTR is to create, for the first time, an effective vehicle for moving ideas from our nation's research institutions to the market, where they can benefit both private sector and military customers. A written agreement between the small business and research institution allocating intellectual property rights is a requirement for participation in STTR (see Model Agreement for the Allocation of Rights). DoD's STTR program, funded at $124 million in fiscal year 2005, is part of a larger federal STTR program administered by five federal agencies. DoD issues one STTR research solicitation each year.
Phase I and Phase II proposals must be prepared and submitted through the DoD Electronic Submission System. Historically, about 15 percent of SBIR and STTR proposals are awarded a phase I contract; approximately 40 percent of phase I projects subsequently are awarded a phase II contract.
Program entry requirements
- To participate in the SBIR program:
- a firm must be a U.S. for-profit small business of 500 or fewer employees
- work must be performed in the United States
- during Phase I, a minimum of 2/3 of the effort must be performed by the proposing firm; a minimum of 1/2 of the effort in Phase II
- the Principal Investigator must spend more than 1/2 of the time employed by the proposing firm
- To participate in the STTR program:
- a firm must be a U.S. for-profit small business of 500 or fewer employees; there is no size limit on the research institution
- research institution must be a U.S. college or university, FFRDC or non-profit research institution
- work must be performed in the United States
- the small business must perform a minimum of 40% of the work and the research institution a minimum of 30% of the work in both Phase I and Phase II
- the small business must manage and control the STTR funding agreement
- the principal investigator may be employed at the small business or research institution
For Further information regarding program eligibility, limitations, and definitions, review the STTR solicitations.
For additional information on DoD SBIR and STTR programs please visit this website http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir/homepg.htm
MilTech supports DoD SBIR and STTR programs through its TechLink affiliate
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