Small Business Innovative Research

Mission— Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)

Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA's) ability to deliver Americans the right logistics solution in every transaction requires more than successful management of the Agency's wholesale supplies and suppliers. It requires supply chain excellence. Our military's ability to generate and sustain combat readiness indefinitely, anywhere on the globe requires that DLA-managed materiel flow seamlessly and as needed from the nation's industrial base to where it is ultimately used. DLA's Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program seeks to solicit innovative research and development proposals from the small business community to address DLA’s strategic and operational requirements. All selections shall demonstrate and involve some technical risk with yet to be determined technical feasibility. Phase I proposals should demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed technology and provide a strong business case for Phase II investment for a prototype or at least a proof-of-concept demonstration. A favorable return on investment and commercialization potential have a strong influence on Phase II selections.

Mission— Small Business Innovative Research

The Small Business Innovation Program (SBIP) explores innovative concepts pursuant to Public Law 106-554 (Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000) and Public Law 107-50 (Small Business Technology Transfer Program Reauthorization Act of 2001), which mandates a two-phase competition for small businesses with innovative technologies with a defense application as well as a commercial value. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs will develop new dual-use technologies for possible future DLA operational and sustainment requirements. DLA strives to make it fast and easy for customers to work with our Agency by quickly understanding current requirements and anticipating their future needs. In support of the major subordinate commands and military Services, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) helps to ensure readiness and lethality across the end-to-end supply chain by optimizing retail and industrial support, which ultimately reduces risk and increases efficiency, and positions solutions for Warfighter requirements. Dual-use means the technologies will be judged on their potential for future private sector investment both as a vehicle for reducing development time and cost, unit costs of new DLA technologies, and as a route to national economic growth through new commercial products. DLA will conduct the competition as well as award and manage the contracts. The DLA's SBIR/STTR investments are divided into multiple Research Areas that are aligned with the National Defense Strategy and the DLA Strategic Plan. DLA R&D SBIP Strategic Focus Areas Hypersonic Vehicles: To meet increasing demand for hypersonic vehicle production, SBIP addresses the key bottleneck in the supply chain by producing innovations in thermal protection systems (TPS). Driving down lead times and production costs are critical to meeting hypersonic vehicle production capacity requirements in the near future. -Domestic Critical Mineral Production: To buffer US supply chains from disruption due to raw material availability, SBIP fosters innovation in domestic separation and refining capabilities to produce rare earth and other critical minerals at costs that are competitive in global markets. -Reshoring Defense Critical Materials: To reestablish domestic expertise and production facilities for defense critical materials such as permanent magnets and Li-Ion batteries, SBIP develops next generation technologies and circular economies to ensure the DoD is insulated from export restrictions placed on key components used in a range of platforms. - Supply Chain Innovation: To maintain a secure and resilient supply chain, SBIP provides opportunities for our small business industrial base to engage in technological innovations that enhance supply chain operations, improve procurement lead times, and reduce life cycle costs. DMEA - Advanced microelectronics concepts, technologies, and applications - Continue to seek innovative technical solutions to DOD microelectronics research and development needs and increase private sector commercialization of these innovations.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)