Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR, Army)

Manager

Army Research Office-Washington (ARO-W)

Web Sites

• http://www.aro.army.mil/arowash/rt/sbir/sbir.htm
• https://mrmc.amedd.army.mil

Summary

A contract program for small business supporting Defense and commercial applications.

Program Process

• Army advertises interest in specific research topics.
• Small businesses offer proposals addressing topics.
• Successful proposals awarded Phase I support for 6 months' work.
• Successful Phase I projects compete for 2 years' additional support in Phase II.

Technology Maturity Level

Early developmental, some basic science.

Award Size

Phase I, up to $70K; Phase II, up to $730K. [Some Phase I - Phase II transitional funds available. Some Phase III funds available for commercial development.]

Program Size

$135M in FY01. 250 Phase I and 150 Phase II awards anticipated.

Format Requirements for Topic Submission

USAMRMC submits relatively short (one to two pages) narratives describing proposed Phase I topics.

Criteria for Selecting Topics

• Linked to the Objective Force, Army STOs
• Cannot be used simply to fill gaps in normal program
• Must allow contractor reasonable degree of independence
• Must require contractor innovation.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

• Military relevance
• Technical merit, innovation
• Potential for commercial exploitation
• Staff qualifications.

USAMRMC Participation

• Develop candidate topics for Phase I
• Review proposals for Phase I, Phase II
• Monitor projects during execution

Calendar

USAMRMC Recent History

Approximately 20 topics, 20 phase I and 10 Phase II awards per year.

Comments

Program has high visibility with Congress, financed by a tax on all 6.1 - 6.3 research funds.

Examples

• Maskless lithography system for generation of high-density DNA microarrays
• Design and characterization of a two-bag blood products lyophilization system
• General-purpose miniature thermometer for remote monitoring of soldiers
• Imaging modality to identify angiogenesis
• Development of a microbead whole-cell delivery system for oral immunization against traveler's diarrhea
• A new soluble powder for the sterilization of medical/dental instruments
• High-frequency optrode system for ambulatory EEG monitoring and wireless signal transmission
• Synthesis of combinatorial chemical libraries containing potential inhibitors of botulinum neurotoxin protease activity
• Virtual medical training system
• Development of a vaccine for the treatment and/or prevention of cancer
• Novel gene repair technology to generate serum carboxylesterase deficient mice
• Dry system for thawing frozen blood.