National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
2003 SBIR/STTR Phase 1 Press Release

November 21, 2003

Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone: 202/358-1979)

RELEASE: 03-376

NASA SELECTS SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH PROPOSALS

NASA has selected 310 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and 45 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) research proposals for Phase 1 contract negotiations.

The SBIR contracts will be awarded to 246 small high technology firms in 38 states. The STTR contracts will be awarded to 40 small high technology firms in 20 states. Funding for the selected projects may total approximately $26 million.

The goals of the NASA SBIR program are to stimulate technological innovation; increase the use of small businesses, including women-owned and disadvantaged firms, to meet federal research and development needs; and increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federally funded research.

The goals of the NASA STTR program are similar to the SBIR program with the distinction the STTR program requires a collaborative research effort between a small business and a research institution. U.S. owned small business concerns submitted 2,696 SBIR and 179 STTR proposals. Selected proposals may receive up to $70,000 for a SBIR and up to $100,000 for a STTR contract.

Upon successful completion of Phase 1, the small business may submit a Phase 2 proposal. Phase 2 continues development of the most promising Phase 1 projects. Selection criteria include: technical merit and innovation, Phase 1 results, value to NASA, commercial potential, and company capabilities. Phase 2 contracts are funded up to $600,000 for a performance period of up to two years.

The NASA SBIR/STTR Program Management Office, located at the Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, manages the program for NASA's Office of Aerospace Technology, Washington. Individual SBIR and STTR projects are managed by NASA’s 10 Centers. A list of the selected companies is available on the Internet at http://sbir.nasa.gov

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