Description
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program is seeking proposals from small businesses to develop innovative technologies that can benefit NASA programs and missions, as well as the commercial market. The program consists of three phases: Phase I, which demonstrates technical feasibility; Phase II, which continues the research and development started in Phase I; and Phase III, which involves the commercialization of the innovation. The program has a broad range of research topics and technologies, and the list of research subtopics varies from year to year. The proposal package should include a technical proposal, a business proposal, and a cost proposal. The evaluation criteria include technical merit, commercial potential, and cost reasonableness. Some key points to note include:
* The maximum award values have increased by 50% to $225,000 for Phase I and $1,275,000 for Phase II.
* TABA funds are now included within the total award value and must comply with the applicable maximum award limits.
* For SBIR and STTR Phase I proposals, Part 6 has been renamed from “Market Opportunity” to “Commercialization and Business Plan.”
* The program has a due diligence program to assess security risks presented by offerors seeking a federally funded award.
* The program requires registrations and certifications, including a unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active SAM.gov registration.
* The proposal package should include a technical proposal, a business proposal, and a cost proposal.
* The evaluation criteria include technical merit, commercial potential, and cost reasonableness.
Some of the key research subtopics include:
* Aeronautics and space technology
* Science and exploration
* Space operations and utilization
* Education and outreach
* Commercialization and entrepreneurship
The program is open to small businesses, and the eligibility requirements include:
* The business must be a small business concern (SBC) as defined by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
* The business must be organized for profit.
* The business must be located in the United States.
* The business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are citizens of the United States.
The program has a range of benefits, including:
* Equity-free funding for early or "seed" stage research and development.
* Access to NASA's technical expertise and resources.
* Opportunities for commercialization and partnership with NASA and other organizations.
Overall, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program is a great opportunity for small businesses to develop innovative technologies and partner with NASA to advance the nation's space program and benefit society.