Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/ Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Administration

Mission— Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

This program supports the Department of Defense’s three priorities: Defend the Nation, Take Care of Our People, and Succeed through Teamwork. This program provides funding for the administration of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Office. The authority to establish SBIR and STTR programs is codified in 15 U.S.C. 638. The statutory goals of the programs are to stimulate technological innovation, meet federal research and development (R&D) needs, foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by women and socially or economically disadvantaged persons, and increase private sector commercialization of innovations from federal R&D funding. In addition, the STTR program aims to foster technology transfer through cooperative R&D between small businesses and research institutions. The DoD SBIR/STTR programs set-aside over two billion dollars annually defense-wide to competitively fund scientific and technical innovation to specifically address the interim National Defense Strategy (NDS) modernization priorities and the mission needs of participating DoD components. The DoD components participating in the SBIR/STTR programs include: Army, Navy, Air Force, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Joint Science & Technology Office for Chemical & Biological Defense (CBD), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA), Defense Health Agency (DHA), Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), Defense Human Resources Activity (DHRA), Quantum Science, National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA), Basic Research Office (BRO), 5G/Future G, and Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO).

Mission— SBIR Challenge Admin

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in federal research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR/STTR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's research and development (R&D) arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets specific research and development needs. The SBIR/STTR programs are executed in three phases. The purpose of Phase I is to determine the scientific technical and commercial merit, and feasibility of ideas submitted under the SBIR/STTR programs. Phase II is the principal research or research and development effort and is expected to produce a well-defined deliverable prototype. Phase III SBIR/STTR efforts derive from, extend or conclude Phase I or Phase II efforts, and are not funded with SBIR/STTR funds. Under Phase III, companies participating in the SBIR/STTR programs are expected to obtain funding from the private sector and/or non-SBIR/non-STTR government sources to develop the prototype into a viable product or non-R&D service for sale in military and/or private sector markets. This Program funds the administrative support to the SBIR/STTR programs including: policy development and oversight; surveillance of program execution for participating DoD agencies; outreach and training; hosting, operation and maintenance for the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP); planning and execution of the OSD SBIR/STTR portfolio; reporting and data analytics; financial management; strategic communication of the DoD technological needs; transition; oversight of the DoD Due Diligence Program; and the liaison between Congress, SBA, and the GAO.

Accomplishments & Planned Programs (1)