Homeland Security, Science and Technology
Innovate S&T: Partner tools discussion
Small Business Innovation Research Program
[Dee] Hello everyone and welcome to the Innovate S&T
partner tools discussion. My name is Dee Parker and
I am the industry liaison at the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate.
As a industry liaison, I help connect
industry with opportunities at S&T that will assist in solving our
Homeland Security challenges, but in this video we're
continuing our innovate S&T video series to foster better
communication with industry and provide an in depth look at the partner tools S&T
has to offer. And I am here with John Pucci, DHS
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Director. How you doing John?
[John] Very good, thank you. How are you doing? [Dee] I am doing well too. Today, we are talking
about the Small Business Innovation Research Program
or SBIR Program for short. So explain a little bit about
the program John. [John] Okay. The SBIR program was established in
1982 by Congress. DHS is one of 11 federal agencies that
participate in that program and it really has two main goals.
Addressing technology needs for the Department, by having small businesses perform research
and development to address those needs, but also to serve as
the Small Business entree into federal government acquisition.
[Dee] Okay so when you talk about a small business, what constitutes a small business?
In other words who is eligible for the solicitation?
[John] For the sake of SBIR we are talking about companies that are incorporated in the United States,
with 500 or fewer employees, including all of their affiliates. [Dee] So you talked
about the program a little bit, but can you take me step by step on what the program really
is all about? [John] Yeah and it really is a step by step program. It's a three phased program.
It all starts with a solicitation in Fed Biz Ops. That solicitation is
also posted to our DHS SBIR website. In that solicitation
we are looking for research and development solutions to specific topics associated with
DHS needs. Companies that submit proposals to that
solicitation, will be eligible for a phase one
six month, $150,000 feasibility study.
Anybody that gets a phase one award is also eligible to submit a
phase two proposal, guidance on which will be sent out during phase one.
As a result of selection under that phase
two, we will be awarding phase two awards of
24 months and $750,000 towards prototype development efforts.
All of this is leading towards commercialization.
Sometimes we have situations where companies need a little bit of help along the way,
mentoring, etc. We provide some tools in phase two
primarily to provide commercialization assistance to our awardees.
The goal of course is to get to phase three. Where the company gets to commercialize
a product. We get to address our needs. The goal of
course is where you don't need SBIR funds anymore and instead have
other means of support. [Dee] So when does the solicitation go out?
[John] The solicitation historically goes out in early
December with pre-solicitation in mid-November however that can be subject to change
So I'd recomend going to the website, checking for the latest information. While you're there, you might want to
look at previous topics that we have submitted and other information on the DHS SBIR Program.
[Dee] That is some great information John
and I really want to thank you for participating in our S&T Innovate video series.
And remember if you have a great technology
idea and want to engage with S&T, email me Dee Parker
at SandT.Innovation@hq.dhs.gov.
S&T also has some great resources for industry such as our industry guide
and videos on how to work with us. Be sure to
check us out on our website. Thank you so much John.
[John] Thank you.