Levin Commends Defense Department on Decision to Resume Solicitation of Small Business Innovation Research Proposals

WASHINGTON – Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., today commended the Department of Defense for extending the deadline for submissions of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposals until March 24, 2003. The original submission period ended January 15, 2003. However, technical problems with the DOD web server accepting SBIR proposals prevented about 300 small businesses nationwide, including several from Michigan, from submitting their proposals on time. DOD had originally said that the January 15 deadline was firm.

"I am pleased that the Defense Department has decided to resume solicitation of SBIR proposals," said Levin. "Through no fault of their own, small businesses were unable to submit proposals for innovative projects that could enhance our nation's security and aid our men and women in uniform. Small businesses drive technological innovation and play a vital role in ensuring our nation's economic vitality. Reopening the solicitation process is not only fair to these small businesses; it will also aid the Pentagon as it seeks the best technologies to support our national security."

Levin wrote to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics to express his concerns about the problems encountered by small businesses with the computer bottleneck.

The SBIR program is a federal investment program that funds the development of innovative technologies by small high technology companies. The program provides seed money that enables small companies to develop technologies that can be used in national defense or become part of successful commercial ventures. It also gives the federal government access to highly innovative companies that would otherwise have difficulty navigating the complex federal research and acquisitions bureaucracy.

"As a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, I have long supported the SBIR program and have worked to expand this program so that experienced industrial mentors are available to assist small businesses. And as a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I have witnessed the success of the SBIR program as many small businesses partnered with and assisted the Pentagon in ensuring our military superiority," Levin said.