Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/ Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Administration

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, aim to foster technological innovation and meet federal research and development needs. These initiatives encourage participation from women and socially or economically disadvantaged individuals in innovation and entrepreneurship. They also seek to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D efforts. The STTR program specifically focuses on facilitating technology transfer through cooperative research between small businesses and research institutions.

The SBIR/STTR programs are structured into three phases. Phase I assesses the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of submitted ideas. Phase II involves the principal research or development effort, culminating in a deliverable prototype. Phase III extends or concludes previous phases, with companies expected to secure funding from private or non-SBIR/STTR government sources for further development into marketable products or services. These programs allocate resources annually across various Department of Defense components to address National Defense Strategy modernization priorities.

The SBIR Challenge Admin project provides essential administrative support for these programs. This includes policy development, program execution oversight, outreach to small businesses, and maintaining the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). The project also organizes a virtual symposium to effectively communicate DoD mission and technology needs to small businesses. The Director of Small Business and Technology Partnerships within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering oversees these activities.

Planned initiatives for FY 2025 include implementing a due diligence program for small businesses and developing DoD-wide guidance to streamline processes. New requirements from the SBIR/STTR Extension Act of 2022 will be incorporated, addressing foreign risk management, agency recovery authority, adversarial influence reporting, innovation open topics, performance standards for experienced firms, solicitation topic prohibitions, multiple award winner studies, and subcontracting reports. The increase in resources from FY 2024 to FY 2025 supports these expanded administrative responsibilities.