This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about the SVIP program.
Your company must be considered a non-traditional Government performer and meet additional SVIP requirements to be considered for the program. Please see the eligibility section in the most recent version of the SVIP Other Transaction Solicitation (OTS) on beta.SAM.gov.
Yes, please see the previous question for eligibility requirements. Please note that award processing to non-U.S. entities may take longer than the 30- to 45-day window.
We cannot advise you on whether or not to apply to our program, as that is a business decision. Our advice is to read the call and other documentation associated with the call to make your decision. If you have questions that aren’t answered in call documentation, please send your questions via email to us at dhs-silicon-valley@hq.dhs.gov.
We are prohibited from discussing the potential content of your application. Our advice is to read the call and other documentation associated with the call to make your decision. If you have questions that aren’t answered in the call documentation, please send your questions to us at dhs-silicon-valley@hq.dhs.gov.
No. Currently the program is structured to begin at Phase 1. However, depending on maturity of technology, in some instances, pilots/demos may occur in Phase 1.
Yes, however you still need to be considered an eligible company when applying to the new topic.
We highly recommend you submit your application in advance of the deadline (about a week) to allow time for you to make updates to the application if deemed noncompliant. Once the deadline has passed, you will be unable to address compliance issues.
Per the guidance in the SVIP OTS 70RSAT21R00000006, if the application is deemed non-compliant your application will be rejected and you will receive an email notification listing the compliance issue. You may fix the issue and resubmit if the call is still open. Please see below for examples of non-compliant applications:
- Total phase value proposed is greater than the “funding level assigned by phase” identified in the respective solicitation/call
- Total number of pages submitted does not comply with the page count limitations identified in the respective solicitation/call
- Using an incorrect or outdated application
- The application is incomplete–Please ensure you complete every section even if you state “Not-applicable” (N/A)
Please forward the original email that is time stamped with a date and time prior to the call close date/time to DHS-Silicon-Valley@hq.dhs.gov.
All personnel who are handling proprietary information are either federal employees covered by the Trade Secrets Act or have an active non-disclosure agreement with the U.S. Government as part of their employment agreement/contract.
If there are no open technical calls, we cannot accept applications. You will need to wait for another open call that fits your technology. Please check the SVIP website for new open technical calls or join the SVIP mailing list.
You may request to be added to the SVIP mailing list by emailing: DHS-Silicon-Valley@hq.dhs.gov.
You may also consider exploring other S&T programs, such as: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and Long-Range Broad Agency Announcement (LRBAA) program.
Please visit the Work with Us webpage on DHS.gov to learn about other S&T funding opportunities.