WEBVTT 00:00:00.010 --> 00:00:04.300 Homeland Security, Science and Technology 00:00:04.300 --> 00:00:08.680 Innovate S&T: Partner tools discussion 00:00:08.680 --> 00:00:12.750 Small Business Innovation Research Program 00:00:12.750 --> 00:00:17.200 [Dee] Hello everyone and welcome to the Innovate S&T 00:00:17.200 --> 00:00:21.250 partner tools discussion. My name is Dee Parker and 00:00:21.250 --> 00:00:25.490 I am the industry liaison at the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate. 00:00:25.490 --> 00:00:30.090 As a industry liaison, I help connect 00:00:30.090 --> 00:00:34.430 industry with opportunities at S&T that will assist in solving our 00:00:34.430 --> 00:00:39.220 Homeland Security challenges, but in this video we're 00:00:39.220 --> 00:00:43.560 continuing our innovate S&T video series to foster better 00:00:43.560 --> 00:00:48.100 communication with industry and provide an in depth look at the partner tools S&T 00:00:48.100 --> 00:00:52.650 has to offer. And I am here with John Pucci, DHS 00:00:52.650 --> 00:00:56.780 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Director. How you doing John? 00:00:56.780 --> 00:01:01.400 [John] Very good, thank you. How are you doing? [Dee] I am doing well too. Today, we are talking 00:01:01.400 --> 00:01:05.560 about the Small Business Innovation Research Program 00:01:05.560 --> 00:01:10.170 or SBIR Program for short. So explain a little bit about 00:01:10.170 --> 00:01:14.180 the program John. [John] Okay. The SBIR program was established in 00:01:14.180 --> 00:01:18.840 1982 by Congress. DHS is one of 11 federal agencies that 00:01:18.840 --> 00:01:22.870 participate in that program and it really has two main goals. 00:01:22.870 --> 00:01:27.490 Addressing technology needs for the Department, by having small businesses perform research 00:01:27.490 --> 00:01:31.750 and development to address those needs, but also to serve as 00:01:31.750 --> 00:01:36.420 the Small Business entree into federal government acquisition. 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:40.450 [Dee] Okay so when you talk about a small business, what constitutes a small business? 00:01:40.450 --> 00:01:45.290 In other words who is eligible for the solicitation? 00:01:45.290 --> 00:01:49.710 [John] For the sake of SBIR we are talking about companies that are incorporated in the United States, 00:01:49.710 --> 00:01:54.610 with 500 or fewer employees, including all of their affiliates. [Dee] So you talked 00:01:54.610 --> 00:01:59.120 about the program a little bit, but can you take me step by step on what the program really 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:03.220 is all about? [John] Yeah and it really is a step by step program. It's a three phased program. 00:02:03.220 --> 00:02:07.570 It all starts with a solicitation in Fed Biz Ops. That solicitation is 00:02:07.570 --> 00:02:11.630 also posted to our DHS SBIR website. In that solicitation 00:02:11.630 --> 00:02:15.650 we are looking for research and development solutions to specific topics associated with 00:02:15.650 --> 00:02:19.700 DHS needs. Companies that submit proposals to that 00:02:19.700 --> 00:02:23.970 solicitation, will be eligible for a phase one 00:02:23.970 --> 00:02:28.010 six month, $150,000 feasibility study. 00:02:28.010 --> 00:02:32.290 Anybody that gets a phase one award is also eligible to submit a 00:02:32.290 --> 00:02:36.320 phase two proposal, guidance on which will be sent out during phase one. 00:02:36.320 --> 00:02:40.570 As a result of selection under that phase 00:02:40.570 --> 00:02:44.600 two, we will be awarding phase two awards of 00:02:44.600 --> 00:02:48.880 24 months and $750,000 towards prototype development efforts. 00:02:48.880 --> 00:02:52.910 All of this is leading towards commercialization. 00:02:52.910 --> 00:02:56.920 Sometimes we have situations where companies need a little bit of help along the way, 00:02:56.920 --> 00:03:00.940 mentoring, etc. We provide some tools in phase two 00:03:00.940 --> 00:03:04.950 primarily to provide commercialization assistance to our awardees. 00:03:04.950 --> 00:03:08.950 The goal of course is to get to phase three. Where the company gets to commercialize 00:03:08.950 --> 00:03:13.180 a product. We get to address our needs. The goal of 00:03:13.180 --> 00:03:17.630 course is where you don't need SBIR funds anymore and instead have 00:03:17.630 --> 00:03:22.390 other means of support. [Dee] So when does the solicitation go out? 00:03:22.390 --> 00:03:27.880 [John] The solicitation historically goes out in early 00:03:27.880 --> 00:03:32.650 December with pre-solicitation in mid-November however that can be subject to change 00:03:32.650 --> 00:03:36.670 So I'd recomend going to the website, checking for the latest information. While you're there, you might want to 00:03:36.670 --> 00:03:41.200 look at previous topics that we have submitted and other information on the DHS SBIR Program. 00:03:41.200 --> 00:03:45.370 [Dee] That is some great information John 00:03:45.370 --> 00:03:49.910 and I really want to thank you for participating in our S&T Innovate video series. 00:03:49.910 --> 00:03:54.110 And remember if you have a great technology 00:03:54.110 --> 00:03:58.700 idea and want to engage with S&T, email me Dee Parker 00:03:58.700 --> 00:04:02.920 at SandT.Innovation@hq.dhs.gov. 00:04:02.920 --> 00:04:06.550 S&T also has some great resources for industry such as our industry guide 00:04:06.550 --> 00:04:10.890 and videos on how to work with us. Be sure to 00:04:10.890 --> 00:04:12.200 check us out on our website. Thank you so much John. 00:04:12.200 --> 00:04:15.146 [John] Thank you.