WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.340 --> 00:00:04.350 Hi, welcome to the second episode of deconstructing SBIR. 2 00:00:04.350 --> 00:00:08.360 Which is becoming apart of the new 3 00:00:08.360 --> 00:00:12.370 innovate S&T series. 4 00:00:12.370 --> 00:00:16.380 I am Dusty Lang and todays topic for deconstructing SBIR is 5 00:00:16.380 --> 00:00:20.390 shining light on the proposal submission process. 6 00:00:20.390 --> 00:00:24.410 I have here with me our contracting officer, Tanisha Walcott. 7 00:00:24.410 --> 00:00:28.420 She has been with DHS for 7 years. 8 00:00:28.420 --> 00:00:32.430 She has been awarding SBIR contracts for almost 3 years now 9 00:00:32.430 --> 00:00:36.440 as well as other research and development programs. 10 00:00:36.440 --> 00:00:40.450 So she and her team are very very busy, but they do a great job at awarding 11 00:00:40.450 --> 00:00:44.460 our SBIR contracts. If you've worked with them, I'm sure you've enjoyed it. 12 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:48.470 So SBIR has been a long time 13 00:00:48.470 --> 00:00:52.480 for those of you not familiar with it. 14 00:00:52.480 --> 00:00:56.490 It's a program that utilizes the agility of small businesses to help tackle 15 00:00:56.490 --> 00:01:00.500 our needs through your innovative small 16 00:01:00.500 --> 00:01:04.510 business solutions so, starting 17 00:01:04.510 --> 00:01:08.520 on why we are here today. 18 00:01:08.520 --> 00:01:12.530 The 18.1 pre-solicitation hit the streets 19 00:01:12.530 --> 00:01:16.550 on the 22nd of November. So thank you very much for helping us with that. 20 00:01:16.550 --> 00:01:20.560 So what is 21 00:01:20.560 --> 00:01:24.570 the purpose of a pre-solicitation? [Tanisha] Well, 22 00:01:24.570 --> 00:01:28.580 we put the pre-solicitation out there to address some issues that 23 00:01:28.580 --> 00:01:32.590 had come to our attention from industry. So one 24 00:01:32.590 --> 00:01:36.610 issue industry and particularly small businesses have brought up to us is issue of time. 25 00:01:36.610 --> 00:01:40.620 They didn't have sufficient time to respond to the solicitation. 26 00:01:40.620 --> 00:01:44.630 They didn't have sufficient time to digest what the solicitation was asking 27 00:01:44.630 --> 00:01:48.650 and to understand how to respond. So the pre-solicitation phase 28 00:01:48.650 --> 00:01:52.660 is out there to one, give the company sufficient time to review the solicitation 29 00:01:52.660 --> 00:01:56.670 to get familiar with it and two, during the pre-solicitation they have the opportunity 30 00:01:56.670 --> 00:02:00.670 to discuss with the topic managers and 31 00:02:00.670 --> 00:02:04.680 so talking with the topic managers who created the specific topics gives them an opportunity 32 00:02:04.680 --> 00:02:08.680 to get a better understanding of the 33 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:12.690 work that is required of them, so that they will be able to make a better, more informed 34 00:02:12.690 --> 00:02:16.690 decision when they are submitting their responses. 35 00:02:16.690 --> 00:02:20.700 [Dusty] And the legislation mandates that we have to do that for 15 days but 36 00:02:20.700 --> 00:02:24.700 we've actually were working towards providing more days. So we've made it 37 00:02:24.700 --> 00:02:24.700 a few more days and we'll work to making it as long 38 00:02:24.700 --> 00:02:28.700 a few more days and we'll work to making it longer. 39 00:02:28.700 --> 00:02:32.710 [Tanisha] A little bit longer. [Dusty] A little bit longer each time if we can. 40 00:02:32.710 --> 00:02:36.720 So they can ask questions of the topic manager to get clarification 41 00:02:36.720 --> 00:02:40.720 for the requirements. 42 00:02:40.720 --> 00:02:44.730 Can you give, I mean is there limitations 43 00:02:44.730 --> 00:02:48.730 or restrictions on what kind of questions they can ask. [Tanisha] Yes, so 44 00:02:48.730 --> 00:02:52.740 one we ask that questions only come in via email 45 00:02:52.740 --> 00:02:56.750 so that we are clear on what is being asked and so a clear response can be provided. 46 00:02:56.750 --> 00:03:00.750 We ask that it's only limited to clarification of the topics and the need. 47 00:03:00.750 --> 00:03:04.760 And not asking questions about how to do the proposal we want to propose. 48 00:03:04.760 --> 00:03:08.760 Just trying to clarify whats already in the solicitation 49 00:03:08.760 --> 00:03:12.770 is what our main things is what we are trying to get folks to do. 50 00:03:12.770 --> 00:03:16.770 [Dusty] So if I for instance said, I have this idea and this 51 00:03:16.770 --> 00:03:20.780 is how I want to approach it, would you rate this favorably 52 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:24.780 that's not something that they should be asking. [Tanisha] But if they are not clear 53 00:03:24.780 --> 00:03:28.790 on what the parameters are then they can ask that question for clarification. 54 00:03:28.790 --> 00:03:32.790 [Dusty] Alright and so sometimes 55 00:03:32.790 --> 00:03:36.800 I think we sort of get some enlightenment about an area we should 56 00:03:36.800 --> 00:03:40.810 have addressed in the topic and that's something that we may 57 00:03:40.810 --> 00:03:44.810 from the pre-solicitation to the solicitation, kind of 58 00:03:44.810 --> 00:03:48.820 update the topic description with or. [Tanisha] Yes, 59 00:03:48.820 --> 00:03:52.820 so if we identify certain questions keep coming in 60 00:03:52.820 --> 00:03:56.830 it's honestly not clear. So it needs tweaking, it needs clarification 61 00:03:56.830 --> 00:04:00.840 and we will make it clear once the full solicitation is released. 62 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:04.850 Or if it is something that lots of people just don't understand or a mistake even. 63 00:04:04.850 --> 00:04:08.850 We are not infallible. There's a possibility that there might have been a mistake 64 00:04:08.850 --> 00:04:12.860 in the pre-solicitation. This is an opportunity for the companies to look at it 65 00:04:12.860 --> 00:04:16.870 and an opportunity for government as well. To understand what the companies are asking us 66 00:04:16.870 --> 00:04:20.870 and make any adjustments that are merited. [Dusty] So it sounds like 67 00:04:20.870 --> 00:04:24.880 this is something that the companies should really try to take advantage of. 68 00:04:24.880 --> 00:04:28.890 [Tanisha] Yes, and this opportunity to correspond 69 00:04:28.890 --> 00:04:32.900 with the technical managers. [Dusty] Right, okay great thank you for that 70 00:04:32.900 --> 00:04:36.910 information. So if I'm a company and I'm 71 00:04:36.910 --> 00:04:40.920 putting together a proposal 72 00:04:40.920 --> 00:04:44.930 what are some of the things that I want to make sure that I don't do 73 00:04:44.930 --> 00:04:48.940 or I do, so I don't put my time into 74 00:04:48.940 --> 00:04:52.940 this and not be able to be considered for evaluation? 75 00:04:52.940 --> 00:04:56.950 [Tanisha] Okay so I will say, read, read, read. I cannot stress enough 76 00:04:56.950 --> 00:05:00.960 to read the solicitation, read the pre-solicitation 77 00:05:00.960 --> 00:05:04.960 [Yes this is a solicitation] and make sure you understand exactly whats in there. 78 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:08.970 I can't stress that enough because so many times we receive 79 00:05:08.970 --> 00:05:12.980 a submission and then its not following the rules, its not following whats laid out in the 80 00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:16.990 solicitation and that is very difficult on both ends. 81 00:05:16.990 --> 00:05:20.990 So if you take away nothing else, just stress that you read 82 00:05:20.990 --> 00:05:25.000 carefully and follow what is written in the solicitation. 83 00:05:25.000 --> 00:05:29.010 [Dusty] I mean its a considerable document. Its 50-60 pages? [Tanisha] Yes. 84 00:05:29.010 --> 00:05:33.020 [Dusty] But its got a lot of things in there, like the dollar thresholds. {Tanisha] Yes. 85 00:05:33.020 --> 00:05:37.030 [Dusty] Which may be changing, 86 00:05:37.030 --> 00:05:41.040 its got submission deadlines and 87 00:05:41.040 --> 00:05:45.050 deadlines there's a time as well as a date. So you have to make sure you don't 88 00:05:45.050 --> 00:05:49.050 exceed that time and don't wait until the last minute. 89 00:05:49.050 --> 00:05:53.060 If there's internet issues or something happens 90 00:05:53.060 --> 00:05:57.070 it makes us feel bad, but we can't change the rules. [Tanisha] We can't except it. 91 00:05:57.070 --> 00:06:01.080 [Dusty] If theres page limits, make sure 92 00:06:01.080 --> 00:06:05.090 you abide by those and 93 00:06:05.090 --> 00:06:09.100 make sure everything is considered within there. 94 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:13.110 The required elements are addressed, so make sure 95 00:06:13.110 --> 00:06:17.120 if it says you need a cover sheet or a cost proposal or anything 96 00:06:17.120 --> 00:06:21.130 else. [Tanisha] Make sure its in there. [Dusty] Yeah 97 00:06:21.130 --> 00:06:25.140 and a good reason to read this now is understand it 98 00:06:25.140 --> 00:06:29.150 and so at the last minute, because again its 50-60 pages, if you have questions 99 00:06:29.150 --> 00:06:33.160 contact us with those questions. 100 00:06:33.160 --> 00:06:37.170 So make sure that you understand that we hate to not be able to consider 101 00:06:37.170 --> 00:06:41.180 somebodies proposal that they spent some time on 102 00:06:41.180 --> 00:06:45.190 and be able to take advantage of 103 00:06:45.190 --> 00:06:49.200 the innovative ideas that are being proposed. 104 00:06:49.200 --> 00:06:53.200 So one of the things that I wanted to talk about 105 00:06:53.200 --> 00:06:57.210 is we have some information in this solicitation 106 00:06:57.210 --> 00:07:01.240 about for instance, format 107 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:05.250 and information on what should be included in the technical proposal. 108 00:07:05.250 --> 00:07:09.260 I wanna make sure that companies understand 109 00:07:09.260 --> 00:07:13.270 be sure to address all of the aspects that are 110 00:07:13.270 --> 00:07:17.290 asked about within the solicitation but also within 111 00:07:17.290 --> 00:07:21.300 the topic description. I wanna make sure that 112 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:25.310 when your proposing your idea 113 00:07:25.310 --> 00:07:29.320 and we say this is the need, because we're asking 114 00:07:29.320 --> 00:07:33.340 for innovative solutions sometimes the vision that you see 115 00:07:33.340 --> 00:07:37.350 for what you are proposing isn't necessarily going to 116 00:07:37.350 --> 00:07:41.350 immediately be understood by the people reading the proposal. 117 00:07:41.350 --> 00:07:45.360 So make sure as you articulate what you are going to do 118 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:49.380 you tie it back to what the requirement was. 119 00:07:49.380 --> 00:07:53.390 Tie it back to why this is a need? How this fits what we are trying to do. 120 00:07:53.390 --> 00:07:57.400 And again read the solicitation. I have that here too. 121 00:07:57.400 --> 00:08:01.420 I think a lot of times 122 00:08:01.420 --> 00:08:05.430 especially for the phase one companies 123 00:08:05.430 --> 00:08:09.440 and it's hard for the commercialisation strategy 124 00:08:09.440 --> 00:08:13.440 its hard to really envision what that all looks like. 125 00:08:13.440 --> 00:08:17.450 This is one of the areas where if they put some time into that 126 00:08:17.450 --> 00:08:21.450 they can see some of the areas where they may not be meeting the 127 00:08:21.450 --> 00:08:25.460 real need as the product would be developed. 128 00:08:25.460 --> 00:08:29.460 [Tanisha] This is true, I mean for a lot of companies SBIR is the first time 129 00:08:29.460 --> 00:08:33.470 that they interact with the federal government. 130 00:08:33.470 --> 00:08:37.470 And sometimes, you know we do this everyday, so we think what we wrote is crystal clear 131 00:08:37.470 --> 00:08:41.480 and so sometimes a company may not really understand that this pre-solicitation 132 00:08:41.480 --> 00:08:45.480 that this pre-solicitation is your opportunity to ask all those questions. 133 00:08:45.480 --> 00:08:49.490 If there is something you are not clear about ask us. There is something that is a little bit 134 00:08:49.490 --> 00:08:53.490 confusing please ask us. I'd rather get a hundred questions a day, then not get 135 00:08:53.490 --> 00:08:57.500 that question an then we receive something that we cannot accept. 136 00:08:57.500 --> 00:09:01.500 So your right. Sometimes the commercialization, all those different aspects may be a little hazy, may 137 00:09:01.500 --> 00:09:05.510 not be clear. Ask, ask, ask. This is your opportunity to ask these questions. 138 00:09:05.510 --> 00:09:09.520 [Dusty] Alright. Let's see. 139 00:09:09.520 --> 00:09:13.530 Alright, so phase one. Proof of feasibility. [Tanisha] Yes. 140 00:09:13.530 --> 00:09:17.530 [Dusty] We do contracts. [Tanisha] Yes. 141 00:09:17.530 --> 00:09:21.540 [Dusty] So we do not do grants. [Tanisha] There are no grants. 142 00:09:21.540 --> 00:09:25.540 And the contracts that you can expect if your 143 00:09:25.540 --> 00:09:29.550 selected are firm, fixed price contracts. All of our phase one contracts are firm, fixed-priced. 144 00:09:29.550 --> 00:09:33.550 There's no grants, theres no OT's. There's none of the other 145 00:09:33.550 --> 00:09:37.560 vehicles. What we use are contracts and 146 00:09:37.560 --> 00:09:41.560 for phase one they are firm fixed price contracts. 147 00:09:41.560 --> 00:09:45.570 [Dusty] So thee 148 00:09:45.570 --> 00:09:49.580 contracting team will contact the companies 149 00:09:49.580 --> 00:09:53.580 so at that point if they had questions about 150 00:09:53.580 --> 00:09:57.590 the process of the firm fixed price and the requirements they would have that opportunity 151 00:09:57.590 --> 00:10:01.600 at that time. You would have the opportunity to talk to me and to any members of my contracting team 152 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:05.600 to ask those questions. Wanted to get clarification. [Dusty] Wonderful team. 153 00:10:05.600 --> 00:10:09.610 Alright. So we've talked about this 154 00:10:09.610 --> 00:10:13.610 pre-solicitation period and how the small businesses can use that 155 00:10:13.610 --> 00:10:17.620 to their advantage. Pre-solicitation ends 156 00:10:17.620 --> 00:10:21.620 on 12 December. 157 00:10:21.620 --> 00:10:25.630 Then what happens? [Tanisha] So the pre-solicitation went out on November 20th. 158 00:10:25.630 --> 00:10:29.630 Was posted on November 22nd. It closes on 159 00:10:29.630 --> 00:10:33.640 December 12th. On December 12th it closes 160 00:10:33.640 --> 00:10:37.650 at noon. In the afternoon we envision to post 161 00:10:37.650 --> 00:10:41.650 the full solicitation and that will be posted and 162 00:10:41.650 --> 00:10:45.660 that will be up there until about mid January. 163 00:10:45.660 --> 00:10:49.670 That's when we expect all the proposals to come in mid January. Before the 164 00:10:49.670 --> 00:10:53.670 end of the solicitation period. [Dusty] 165 00:10:53.670 --> 00:10:57.680 So there is still a period where small businesses 166 00:10:57.680 --> 00:11:01.680 can ask questions after the pre-solicitation ends 167 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:05.690 but its a little bit different. How does that work? 168 00:11:05.690 --> 00:11:09.700 [Tanisha] During the pre-solicitation all the questions you ask are just between you and 169 00:11:09.700 --> 00:11:13.700 the topic manager or you and myself. I have gotten some questions myself. 170 00:11:13.700 --> 00:11:17.710 That's were it remains. Once the pre-solicitation ends and it is the 171 00:11:17.710 --> 00:11:21.720 full solicitation. Starting December 12th the questions that come in and 172 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:25.720 answers to those questions will be posted on FBO. 173 00:11:25.720 --> 00:11:29.730 They will be posted to Fed Biz Ops, so that they become public knowledge. 174 00:11:29.730 --> 00:11:33.740 [Dusty] So if they ask a question during pre-solicitation, they can ask something 175 00:11:33.740 --> 00:11:37.750 that may be a little more 176 00:11:37.750 --> 00:11:41.750 specific or tailored to their approach and not give 177 00:11:41.750 --> 00:11:45.760 away their idea, but then if they ask 178 00:11:45.760 --> 00:11:49.770 one afterward it will be collected, all the answers 179 00:11:49.770 --> 00:11:53.770 will gathered and posted as one document and everybody can read their question 180 00:11:53.770 --> 00:11:57.780 and the answer provided. [Tanisha] Yes. 181 00:11:57.780 --> 00:12:01.790 [Dusty] That's important to know. Okay. 182 00:12:01.790 --> 00:12:05.800 Great. And that's 183 00:12:05.800 --> 00:12:09.800 when as of 12 184 00:12:09.800 --> 00:12:13.810 [Tanisha] December. [Dusty] December, that's when they can start submitting their proposals. 185 00:12:13.810 --> 00:12:17.820 [Tanisha] Yes. [Dusty] And this when the solicitation will be posted. [Tanisha nods head yes] 186 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:21.830 [Dusy] With all of the information that we are telling you to read, read, read. 187 00:12:21.830 --> 00:12:25.840 So in approximately 188 00:12:25.840 --> 00:12:29.840 30 something days they'll have to prepare to the proposal. 189 00:12:29.840 --> 00:12:33.850 [Tanisha] Yes. [Dusty] Great. Once 190 00:12:33.850 --> 00:12:37.860 thee solicitation ends, then 191 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:41.870 what do we do next? [Tanisha] So solicitation ends and evaluation begins. 192 00:12:41.870 --> 00:12:45.880 The evaluation period begins as soon as 193 00:12:45.880 --> 00:12:49.890 the solicitation closes and once that 194 00:12:49.890 --> 00:12:53.900 goes on, you can expect to receive a response ninety days after the close of the solicitation. 195 00:12:53.900 --> 00:12:57.910 [Dusty] So we'll get the proposals 196 00:12:57.910 --> 00:13:01.920 in. We review them to make sure that they 197 00:13:01.920 --> 00:13:05.930 meet the requirements. If somebody doesn't meet the requirements 198 00:13:05.930 --> 00:13:09.940 for some reason we notify them. [Tanisha] Notify them, let them know. 199 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:13.950 [Dusty] But the goal is that we are taking these 200 00:13:13.950 --> 00:13:17.960 proposals and we are doing an evaluation based on the criteria in the solicitation. 201 00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:21.980 So they just need to make sure they understand what criteria they'll 202 00:13:21.980 --> 00:13:25.990 be evaluated on and against 203 00:13:25.990 --> 00:13:30.000 the topic description. So if the topic description 204 00:13:30.000 --> 00:13:34.010 says, we're looking for this and they don't have that then we're saying 205 00:13:34.010 --> 00:13:38.020 okay you have not provided information on this. 206 00:13:38.020 --> 00:13:42.030 [Tanisha] Correct. [Dusty] I think the important point of that is 207 00:13:42.030 --> 00:13:46.040 if we say we want this and they don't address 208 00:13:46.040 --> 00:13:50.040 this that's a point of weakness. [Tanisha] Yes. 209 00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:54.060 Very much so. [Dusty] Okay, so then 210 00:13:54.060 --> 00:13:58.070 will be evaluating these and be 211 00:13:58.070 --> 00:14:02.080 assessing strengths and weaknesses of the proposals. 212 00:14:02.080 --> 00:14:06.090 [Tanisha] Yes. [Dusty] Okay and thee 213 00:14:06.090 --> 00:14:10.100 award. So let's say I'm a small company 214 00:14:10.100 --> 00:14:14.110 and I have been notified within the 215 00:14:14.110 --> 00:14:18.120 90 day time frame. You're planning to pursue a 216 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:22.130 phase one with me. What should be my expectactation 217 00:14:22.130 --> 00:14:26.140 in terms of when, because as a small business I 218 00:14:26.140 --> 00:14:30.150 need to make sure I can line up my resources. When would I expect to begin. 219 00:14:30.150 --> 00:14:34.170 [Tanisha] So you will receive notification within the 90 days. 220 00:14:34.170 --> 00:14:38.180 Once you receive the notification and very shortly after that either myself or a member of my team 221 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:42.190 will contact you to begin the negotiation process. 222 00:14:42.190 --> 00:14:46.210 The negotiation process can be quick, it can be slow it depends on 223 00:14:46.210 --> 00:14:50.220 where we are. Each individual company is individual. There's no 224 00:14:50.220 --> 00:14:54.230 particular planning timeline on the process, but for planning purposes 225 00:14:54.230 --> 00:14:58.240 the companies can anticipate that they will have 226 00:14:58.240 --> 00:15:02.250 awards firm fixed price awards in place in the beginning of May. 227 00:15:02.250 --> 00:15:06.250 [Dusty] The beginning of May. [Tanisha] Yes. 228 00:15:06.250 --> 00:15:10.260 [Dusty] That sounds like a good timeframe. 229 00:15:10.260 --> 00:15:14.260 Alright so we have covered a lot of information, but I want to 230 00:15:14.260 --> 00:15:18.260 make sure we have an opportunity to address some of the questions that are coming 231 00:15:18.260 --> 00:15:23.260 in from the viewers. So the first one we have 232 00:15:26.720 --> 00:15:30.720 is for small business and for SBIR purposes. 233 00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:34.730 So that would be 234 00:15:34.730 --> 00:15:38.740 the determination of whether your able to participate, whether your a small business. 235 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:42.740 That's actually determined by thee 13 236 00:15:42.740 --> 00:15:46.750 CFR 121702 for SBIR. 237 00:15:46.750 --> 00:15:50.760 Which it says you have to be 500 people or less. 238 00:15:50.760 --> 00:15:54.770 So hows that 239 00:15:54.770 --> 00:15:58.770 determination done? 240 00:15:58.770 --> 00:16:02.780 [Tanisha] Well the companies are asked to send 241 00:16:02.780 --> 00:16:06.780 us their SBA registration, which shows that they are small businesses 242 00:16:06.780 --> 00:16:10.790 therefore we take it from there. 243 00:16:10.790 --> 00:16:14.810 [Dusty] Essentially a self certification process. 244 00:16:14.810 --> 00:16:18.830 With penalty for [laughter]. 245 00:16:18.830 --> 00:16:22.830 So in the 500 person 246 00:16:22.830 --> 00:16:26.840 or less is that on that day. Is it an average 247 00:16:26.840 --> 00:16:30.850 over a year. [Tanisha] That 500 person or less threshold is in our average. 248 00:16:30.850 --> 00:16:34.860 So that's the average over the year I believe. 249 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:38.860 [Dusty] So if I'm at 501 250 00:16:38.860 --> 00:16:42.880 the day you happen to give me the award 251 00:16:42.880 --> 00:16:46.880 but I've been at 490 for the past 252 00:16:46.880 --> 00:16:50.890 year then it will be fine. [Tanisha] Yes. [Dusty] So it's not a specific year 253 00:16:50.890 --> 00:16:54.900 than it can have some fluctuation. 254 00:16:54.900 --> 00:16:58.920 Another question. [Tanisha] So the question is asked where is the 255 00:16:58.920 --> 00:17:02.930 pre-solicitation? The pre-solicitation is 256 00:17:02.930 --> 00:17:06.930 located on Fed Biz Ops FBO.gov. 257 00:17:06.930 --> 00:17:10.940 [Dusty] You can get 258 00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:14.950 there that way, but there's also a link at the bottom screen (https;//sbir2.st.dhs.gov/portal/SBIR) here. 259 00:17:14.950 --> 00:17:18.960 If you go to that page on 260 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:22.970 the right hand side, you'll see a couple things. One there will be 261 00:17:22.970 --> 00:17:26.980 a picture on the right hand side of the page with 262 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:30.990 a finger pointing at some gears and it says, "How to Apply". 263 00:17:30.990 --> 00:17:35.000 That gives some additional guidance on how 264 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:39.010 to apply to the DHS SBIR program. 265 00:17:39.010 --> 00:17:43.020 Under that, under news and events 266 00:17:43.020 --> 00:17:47.030 on November 22nd we posted "pre-solicitation is out there". 267 00:17:47.030 --> 00:17:51.040 And so if you go into that news and events item. There is a link 268 00:17:51.040 --> 00:17:55.050 that will take you to the FBO page and then when you go there 269 00:17:55.050 --> 00:17:59.060 there's the pre-solicitation instruction but then 270 00:17:59.060 --> 00:18:03.070 there's another document that gives the topic description 271 00:18:03.070 --> 00:18:07.080 so we have 8 S&T SBIR 272 00:18:07.080 --> 00:18:11.090 topics and 4 DNDO topics that are 273 00:18:11.090 --> 00:18:15.100 in that. So make sure you see that document and see what thee 274 00:18:15.100 --> 00:18:19.120 topics are and can respond to that. 275 00:18:19.120 --> 00:18:23.120 Are there any lessons learned for businesses based on what you seen from past years? 276 00:18:23.120 --> 00:18:27.130 I think that's why we said 277 00:18:27.130 --> 00:18:31.140 read the solicitation. [Tanisha] Please read. [Dusty] And I mean I don't think 278 00:18:31.140 --> 00:18:35.150 it's just the businesses. I think we've learned 279 00:18:35.150 --> 00:18:39.170 some lessons over the years. 280 00:18:39.170 --> 00:18:43.180 I mean every time I've been working SBIR. I did at the navy for 10 years 281 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:47.190 and now here at DHS for just over a year now. 282 00:18:47.190 --> 00:18:51.210 And thee solicitation verbage 283 00:18:51.210 --> 00:18:55.220 is something that is reviewed every time that 284 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:59.230 we look at it. So a lesson learned 285 00:18:59.230 --> 00:19:03.250 if you think you know whats in there, don't make 286 00:19:03.250 --> 00:19:07.260 an assumption that you know whats in there. 287 00:19:07.260 --> 00:19:11.270 We try to, we update it if we've learned lessons 288 00:19:11.270 --> 00:19:15.290 of our requirements so 289 00:19:15.290 --> 00:19:19.300 again theres some potential changes for 290 00:19:19.300 --> 00:19:23.310 dollar amounts and 291 00:19:23.310 --> 00:19:27.310 other clarifying instructions. 292 00:19:27.310 --> 00:19:31.320 So yes, read 293 00:19:31.320 --> 00:19:35.320 the solicitation. So we're getting another question. 294 00:19:35.320 --> 00:19:39.330 Now... 295 00:19:39.330 --> 00:19:43.330 So what is the difference between 296 00:19:43.330 --> 00:19:47.340 SBIR and the broad agency announcement portals? 297 00:19:47.340 --> 00:19:51.340 So the broad agency announcement portal 298 00:19:51.340 --> 00:19:55.350 if you go out there are basically 299 00:19:55.350 --> 00:19:59.350 are more general topics. So broad agency 300 00:19:59.350 --> 00:20:03.360 announcements will ask for 301 00:20:03.360 --> 00:20:07.360 will have a general subject and it will say 302 00:20:07.360 --> 00:20:11.370 "We would like to hear things that you'd like to do under this area." 303 00:20:11.370 --> 00:20:15.370 The SBIR topics are going to be 304 00:20:15.370 --> 00:20:19.380 worded, described as "Here is our gap, 305 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:23.380 here is the technology or here is the 306 00:20:23.380 --> 00:20:27.390 thing that we are not able to do right now." 307 00:20:27.390 --> 00:20:27.400 We'll give you the parameters of what that has to 308 00:20:27.400 --> 00:20:31.400 We'll give you the parameters of what that has to satisfy, such as 309 00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:35.400 size, weight and say how would you 310 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:39.410 solve this problem? What would you do? So we 311 00:20:39.410 --> 00:20:43.420 expect innovative approaches to that but we are 312 00:20:43.420 --> 00:20:47.420 saying what we are trying to solve with 313 00:20:47.420 --> 00:20:51.430 this effort. So how does 314 00:20:51.430 --> 00:20:55.430 DHS DNGO choose solicitiations? 315 00:20:55.430 --> 00:20:59.440 Is it all internal problem solving or 316 00:20:59.440 --> 00:21:03.440 are there external influences? I'm assuming they mean 317 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:07.450 choose topics. So when we 318 00:21:07.450 --> 00:21:11.460 do a call for topics and 319 00:21:11.460 --> 00:21:15.460 that goes out to our technical community. 320 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:19.470 The technical community works with the components and end users to determine 321 00:21:19.470 --> 00:21:23.470 what our needs are. They submit the topics 322 00:21:23.470 --> 00:21:27.480 to us during the call, we collect them 323 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:31.490 and we make determinations, one 324 00:21:31.490 --> 00:21:35.490 if it's appropriate for the SBIR program. So while something may need 325 00:21:35.490 --> 00:21:39.500 an innovative approach it may not necessarily be appropriate for SBIR. 326 00:21:39.500 --> 00:21:43.510 It may be something that falls outside 327 00:21:43.510 --> 00:21:47.520 of the thresholds in terms 328 00:21:47.520 --> 00:21:51.520 of time and dollar that would be feasible to do under SBIR. 329 00:21:51.520 --> 00:21:55.530 We vet those down 330 00:21:55.530 --> 00:21:59.540 to what is actually a good SBIR candidate 331 00:21:59.540 --> 00:22:03.540 an then they are chosen by a board. 332 00:22:03.540 --> 00:22:07.550 And then we take the ones that we are able to do, based on what 333 00:22:07.550 --> 00:22:11.550 our predicted budget is. And we put them out into 334 00:22:11.550 --> 00:22:15.560 the solicitation. So 335 00:22:15.560 --> 00:22:19.570 [Tanisha] So the other questions come up, that if I propose to a DoD topic does that mean 336 00:22:19.570 --> 00:22:23.570 that prevent me to proposing to DHS as well? 337 00:22:23.570 --> 00:22:27.580 [Dusty] No it does not. It doesn't even 338 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:31.590 preclude you from proposing the same effort 339 00:22:31.590 --> 00:22:35.590 to DHS as another agency. What you 340 00:22:35.590 --> 00:22:39.600 will have to do is there is a question when your 341 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:43.610 submitting your proposal on what we are calling the cover sheet that says, 342 00:22:43.610 --> 00:22:47.620 are you proposing this and/or 343 00:22:47.620 --> 00:22:51.620 similar effort to another agency. You have to check yes. 344 00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:55.630 And then when Tanisha or her team contacts you 345 00:22:55.630 --> 00:22:59.640 and is preparing for the award 346 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:03.650 you would have to disclose, that you 347 00:23:03.650 --> 00:23:07.650 either have received thee award from another agency or 348 00:23:07.650 --> 00:23:11.660 that you have received notification that your considered for an award 349 00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:15.670 for another agency. So you cannot accept 350 00:23:15.670 --> 00:23:19.670 an award for the same work or 351 00:23:19.670 --> 00:23:23.680 for two awards that have overlapping same work. 352 00:23:23.680 --> 00:23:27.690 There are 353 00:23:27.690 --> 00:23:31.700 a couple of questions about specific topics 354 00:23:31.700 --> 00:23:35.710 that have come in and 355 00:23:35.710 --> 00:23:39.720 we are not answering those here, 356 00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:43.730 because they are the ones again because during he pre-solicitation your suppose to be 357 00:23:43.730 --> 00:23:47.740 asking directly to the topic managers. So we do not want to 358 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:51.750 do that but also because we don't know. [Laughter] We are not the technical experts, 359 00:23:51.750 --> 00:23:55.760 but we are the experts on the contracting and the 360 00:23:55.760 --> 00:23:59.780 SBIR process. So if you put in a question and 361 00:23:59.780 --> 00:24:03.790 we haven't had a chance to answer it. We will be answering it 362 00:24:03.790 --> 00:24:07.800 offline. If you come up with a question 363 00:24:07.800 --> 00:24:11.810 right after we go off the air then we will 364 00:24:11.810 --> 00:24:15.820 address it after we go off the air. Before we go 365 00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:19.830 off the air though, I do want to promote 366 00:24:19.830 --> 00:24:23.840 that as part of the new 367 00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:27.850 Innovate S&T series, the office of public 368 00:24:27.850 --> 00:24:31.860 private partnerships under which SBIR falls will be hosting a live 369 00:24:31.860 --> 00:24:35.870 stream conversation on December 12th. 370 00:24:35.870 --> 00:24:39.880 They will be talking about the newly released industry guide. Which is a resource 371 00:24:39.880 --> 00:24:43.890 for you to find out more about S&T and how to work 372 00:24:43.890 --> 00:24:47.910 with DHS and I'm really excited that this is happening because this is like the number 1 373 00:24:47.910 --> 00:24:51.920 questions I get from small businesses when we go and do one on ones 374 00:24:51.920 --> 00:24:55.930 and the road towards our other event, how do I work with DHS S&T? 375 00:24:55.930 --> 00:24:59.940 So please make sure you turn into that 376 00:24:59.940 --> 00:25:03.950 on the 12th at 1 o'clock and 377 00:25:03.950 --> 00:25:07.960 I also want to, we're gonna be posting thee 378 00:25:07.960 --> 00:25:11.970 time line for key events for the 18.1 SBIR 379 00:25:11.970 --> 00:25:15.980 solicitation. It's general time 380 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:20.000 frames but we wanna just give folks an idea of what 381 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:24.010 to expect in the very near upcoming future and 382 00:25:24.010 --> 00:25:28.020 then some further out dates. 383 00:25:28.020 --> 00:25:32.040 Is there anything else that you wanted to make 384 00:25:32.040 --> 00:25:36.050 sure we addressed before we're. [Tanisha] No I just wanted to tell everyone to pay attention 385 00:25:36.050 --> 00:25:40.060 to the timeline and the time frames. Please make sure that you read the 386 00:25:40.060 --> 00:25:44.080 pre-solicitation once it is posted.Please make sure you read it very carefully. 387 00:25:44.080 --> 00:25:48.090 Go through it with a fine tooth comb and we are looking forward to seeing your proposals. 388 00:25:48.090 --> 00:25:52.100 We are looking forward to working with you. [Dusty] If you are confused by anything 389 00:25:52.100 --> 00:25:56.100 make sure you ask. [Tanisha] Yes ask the question. Ask, ask, ask. We're here and 390 00:25:56.100 --> 00:26:00.110 we're happy to answer any of your questions. [Dusty] And we very much look forward 391 00:26:00.110 --> 00:26:02.858 to working with you. Thank you very much. [Tanisha] Thanks for joining us.