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SBIR Program Helpful Hints and Basic Information

Geographical Diversity - US DOT SBIR Solicitation is a Nation Wide Program

All small businesses through out the United States are eligible to submit proposals for the US DOT SBIR Solicitation program.

Open to ALL Small Businesses

The only requirement to be considered a small business is to have 500 or less employees. Past proposals have been submitted from businesses with as few as 1 person.

It is an opportunity for small businesses to enter a huge market base for innovative ideas.

We provide the transportation issues, and you provide your innovative ideas and/or solutions.

In January, we release the Research Topics of priority transportation issues in search or your innovative solutions. The topics are in the area of Research ( R ) and Research & Development (R&D) and come from several Federal DOT Administrations (such as the FAA, FRA, NHTSA, FMCSA, FHWA, FTA and PHMSA)

How to download the Solicitation

The Solicitation has been made available in HTML, MS Word and PDF formats.

View HTML files. The HTML version of the Solicitation is accessible with any web browser or screen reader. Please visit Current Solicitation to view the most recent Solicitation. The HTML versions of the Solicitation Submission Forms and Certifications (Proposal Cover Sheet, Project Summary, Contract Pricing Proposal and Proposal Acknowledgement Form) are Samples ONLY and must be downloaded in either MS Word or PDF formats.

Downloading MS Word files. When selecting a downloadable MS Word file, most web browsers will generate a prompt or a dialog window with an option for saving the file to the your computer. Some web browsers may attempt to interpret the Word file as a web page. If this occurs, try to download the file by "right-clicking" the document link. Most web browsers will generate a floating pop-up menu with an option to "Save link as...". Selecting this option should generate prompt or a dialog window with an option for saving the file to the your computer.

Downloading PDF files. Depending on how your web browser is configured, selecting a downloadable PDF file may automatically launch Acrobat Reader either in the web browser or another window. If this happens and you would like to save the file to your computer, go to the "File" menu option in the top left corner of your browser and select "Save as.." This will generate a prompt or a dialog window with an option for saving the file to the your computer. If your browser is not configured to automatically launch Acrobat Reader, follow the directions above on "Downloading MS Word files". If you do not have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, please visit the Adobe site to download the free Acrobat Reader and follow their installation instructions. URL: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

List of Tools needed to view the Solicitation

Software:
Web Browser (Netscape, Internet Explore, etc.)
Word Processor (i.e. MS Word)
Acrobat Reader (to view PDF files)

If submitting proposals electronically, you will need software to create the PDF such as the complete version of Adobe Acrobat (not just the free Acrobat Reader) Visit the Adobe Acrobat site for more information on the software and its features. URL: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/main.html

The US DOT SBIR Program Solicitation is available in HTML, MS Word and PDF formats. You can view the solicitation contents through a web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer.

Or you can download the Solicitation in MS Word format to your computer. (See Downloading MS Word files details.)

Or you can download the PDF version of the Solicitation using the free Acrobat Reader from Adobe. Please visit the Adobe site for the free Acrobat Reader and installation instructions. URL: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

Online Submissions

• Each proposal shall not exceed 25 pages (regular size type - no smaller than 10 point font size - single or double spaced, standard 8 ½" by 11” pages) including proposal cover sheet, contract pricing proposal, and all enclosures or attachments.
• Proposals must be a PDF file and submitted online
• No duplicate proposals shall be sent by any other means.
• Proposals may only be submitted online, a link to the web form can found here: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir/current.html Instructions are included on the submission page.
• Proposals must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on June 3, 2008.
• The proposal file name shall contain eight (8) characters-the first three shall be the topic number you are proposing to (i.e., FH3), and the remaining five characters shall be a unique abbreviation of your company’s name.

It will be available to only the team of DOT engineers and/or scientists responsible for evaluating your proposal.

Proposal Checklist

This is a CHECKLIST OF REQUIREMENTS for your proposal. Please review the checklist carefully to assure that your proposal meets the US DOT SBIR requirements. Failure to meet these requirements may result in your proposal being returned without consideration. Do not include this checklist with your proposal.

____ 1. The proposal reflects the fact that for Phase I a minimum of two-thirds (and for Phase II a minimum of one-half) of the research and/or analytical effort will be performed by the proposing firm as required (see Sections V.H.1 and V.H.2) and the primary employment of the principal investigator (for both Phase I and Phase II) must be with the small business firm at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed research as required (see Section I.C).

____ 2. The proposal is 25 PAGES OR LESS in length. This limitation does not apply to the additional information required by Section III.H.

____ 3. The proposal is limited to only ONE of the research topics in Section VIII.

____ 4. The proposal budget may be up to $100,000 unless otherwise indicated and duration does not exceed six months.

____ 5. The technical abstract contains no proprietary information, does not exceed 200 words, and is limited to the space provided on the Project Summary sheet (Appendix B).

____ 6. The proposal contains no type smaller than ten point font size.

____ 7. The COVER SHEET (Appendix A) has been completed and is PAGE one of the proposal.

____ 8. The PROJECT SUMMARY (Appendix B) has been completed and is PAGE two of the proposal.

____ 9. The TECHNICAL CONTENT of the proposal begins on PAGE three and includes the items identified in SECTION III.D of the Solicitation.

____ 10. The Contract Pricing Proposal (Appendix C) has been included as the last section of the proposal.

____ 11. The additional information on prior Phase II awards, if required, in accordance with Section III.H.

____ 12. The proposal must be a PDF file and submitted online by 5 p.m., June 3, 2008. Proposals may only be submitted online, a link to the web form can be found here: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir/current.html. Instructions are included on the submission page.