Open For Business: NASA Seeks Small Business Proposals for High Tech R&D

Sept. 17, 2012

David E. Steitz
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1730
david.steitz@nasa.gov

RELEASE: 12-327

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: NASA SEEKS SMALL BUSINESS PROPOSALS FOR HIGH TECH R&D

WASHINGTON -- NASA is seeking proposals for its Small Business
Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer
(STTR) programs that will create the new technologies needed to
enable the agency's future missions while benefiting America.

The SBIR and STTR Programs are designed to provide small businesses
and nonprofit research institutions with opportunities to compete for
federal research and development awards and to stimulate the
commercialization of the resulting technology. The programs address
specific technology gaps in NASA missions, while striving to
complement other agency research investments. Program results have
benefited many NASA efforts, ranging from modern air traffic control
systems, Earth-observing spacecraft and the International Space
Station to Curiosity now roving the Red Planet.

"Space technology is the linchpin that joins together NASA's science,
aeronautic and exploration goals, providing the essential new
knowledge and capabilities that enables our present and future
missions," said Michael Gazarik, director of NASA's Space Technology
Program. "The annual solicitation for the SBIR and STTR programs
embodies our desire to generate innovative ideas to address NASA's
future mission needs by offering a broad collection of research and
development needs and opportunities."

This year's call includes a new component to NASA's SBIR Program. NASA
has added seven select topics in SBIR, representing unique space
technology development challenges the agency believes are well suited
to the innovation and problem-solving abilities of America's small
businesses. By complementing its own efforts with these seven areas,
NASA is hoping to improve on an already great program that benefits
the agency and America's new technology economy.

The highly competitive SBIR and STTR programs are based on a
three-phase award system. Phase 1 is a feasibility study to evaluate
the scientific and technical merit of an idea. Firms successfully
completing Phase 1 are eligible to submit Phase 2 proposals,
expanding on the results of Phase 1. Phase 3 includes
commercialization of the results of Phase 2, and requires the use of
private sector or non-SBIR federal funding as innovations move from
the laboratory to the marketplace.

The deadline for the two program solicitations is Nov. 29. Selections
are expected to be announced in late February 2013. NASA's Ames
Research Center in Moffett Field, Calif., manages the SBIR and STTR
programs for the agency's Space Technology Program. NASA's 10 field
centers manage individual projects.

For more information about NASA's SBIR and STTR solicitations,
including how to apply, visit:

http://sbir.nasa.gov

NASA's Space Technology Program is dedicated to innovating,
developing, testing, and flying hardware for use in NASA's future
science and exploration missions. NASA's technology investments
provide cutting-edge solutions for our nation's future. For more
information about NASA's Space Technology Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/oct


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