Small Business Innovation Research program aids warfighter Published June 9, 2006 By Michael P. Kleiman AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate Public Affairs KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Using monies from the Small Business Innovation Research program, many U.S. for-profit companies, comprised of 500 or less personnel, have made a huge impact by providing ground-breaking technologies needed for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Directorates, Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M., as well as for the Department of Defense and other federal government organizations. Established in 1984, the SBIR program consists of two funded phases for project feasibility and prototype, as well as a non-SBIR financed, final stage for technology commercialization. “It is really a positive program because it vectors small business and technological advances. It is unique in that way,” said Danielle Lythgoe, SBIR program manager, Space Vehicles Directorate. “It provides opportunities for businesses that do not have the means to compete with the big companies. These smaller entities may have the technology innovations our organization has been looking for.” Approved technology topics, submitted by individual authors, initiate the SBIR Web-based solicitation process, which occurs quarterly. The Air Force Research Laboratory technology directorates including Directed Energy and Space Vehicles have a limited number of topics per solicitation period, and last year, AFRL had a total of 269 topics that were published. During the pre-solicitation period, and prior to proposal submission, interested firms can get in touch with the respective topic technical point of contact for further information and/or clarification. Approximately five weeks later, the program accepts proposals from small businesses via the DoD’s SBIR Internet site, www.acq.osd.mil/osbp/sbir/. Finally, three to four months later, contract awards occur, with each topic generally receiving more than one award. Due to current changes to the SBIR program, and depending on AFRL’s budget, some directorates may solicit for proposals more than once a year. “SBIR is a great seed money program. We try to publicize it as such. There is a lot of flexibility with it,” said Francisco Tapia, SBIR team lead, Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Directorates. “Small businesses are very appreciative of the funding and opportunity.” With a SBIR Phase I award, a small company receives up to $100,000 for the six- month effort to investigate the potential scientific, technological, and commercial feasibility of a particular concept. If proven successful, the small business may be invited to submit their proposal for a Phase II award, with funding of up to $750,000 for the two-year time frame to develop a prototype. Companies participating in Phase II provide monthly or quarterly status reports and work closely with the program managers to advance the technology. In addition, the organization is required to complete a commercialization report addressing the transfer of the technology to the military or to the private sector. During both phases, work must be performed within the United States. For the third, and final, phase, the program mandates non-SBIR monies be used for product production. “It is a terrific program. You see that in the responses from the technical people. They are getting the technology that they need to help the warfighter,” said Ardeth Walker, SBIR program manager, Directed Energy Directorate and Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Air Force liaison. “There have been some really exceptional results from the SBIR program. For example, night vision goggles resulted from a SBIR award.” Currently, the Directed Energy and Space Vehicles Directorates manage approximately 85 SBIR Phase I and 62 Phase II contract awards, but with the AFRL 2006 budget of $350 million, the number will remain the same this year. “The SBIR program gives us another means to explore innovative technologies. We have experts in the field that not only can identify what companies have the potential, but also can often help them realize their potential,” said Ms. Lythgoe. “That’s a win-win situation.”