DHS Selects Small Businesses from 23 States for First SBIR Awards

Release Date: 02/12/04 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Press Office
Contact: 202-282-8010
February 11, 2004

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology division today announced that 66 small businesses, in 23 states have been selected for contract negotiations. These firms were chosen by the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) from applicants to the Department's first Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program solicitation in November 2003.

"Secretary Ridge and I are delighted to be partnering with these small businesses to find new technologies that will allow us to better protect the homeland," said Dr. Charles McQueary, Under Secretary of Science and Technology. "We know that these awards are the first of many we will make under the Department's SBIR program."

The sixty-six firms will receive a total of $6.5 million, with individual firms each receiving up to $100,000 for a period of six-months. In Phase I, awardees will define the scientific, technical and commercial merit of a particular concept. Firms, whose concepts prove successful in Phase I, may be invited to apply for a two-year Phase II award not to exceed $750,000 to further develop the concept, usually to the prototype stage.

"The SBIR program is a shining example of our commitment at Homeland Security to work with the small business community," said Kevin Boshears, Director, of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization. "We look forward to our continued partnership with the Science and Technology division as we promote small business inclusion in both our procurement and research and development programs."

Participation in the HSARPA SBIR Program is restricted to for-profit small businesses in the United States with 500 or fewer employees, including all affiliated firms.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Science and Technology division serves as the primary research and development arm of the Department, utilizing our nation's scientific and technological resources to provide federal, state and local officials with the technology and capabilities to protect the homeland.

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This page was last reviewed/modified on 02/12/04 00:00:00.