Topic titles for this solicitation are:

• H-SB010.1-001 Rechargeable, High Efficient, High Capacity Energy Storage
• H-SB010.1-002           Rare Variant Detection Using Next Generation Sequencing Technology
• H-SB010.1-003           Precision Information Environments
• H-SB010.1-004           Molecular Recognition for Explosives Detection
• H-SB010.1-005           Synthetic Biometrics
• H-SB010.1-006           GPS Resolution in Denied Location (GRIDLOC)

For full topic descriptions and the contact information of the Technical Points of Contact (TPOC) for each topic, please read the full solicitation.  Proposers are encouraged to contact the TPOC before November 17th to ask technical questions not clearly stated in the topic description (proposers may not ask for advice or guidance on its solution approach, nor submit additional material).  No direct contact may be made with the TPOC after this date.

Proposals will be submitted through the DHS’ secure portal; be sure to register early.

This information might help you decide if these highly-competitive federal programs are right for your company.  IF after reviewing, you think your company qualifies, and you are interested in learning more, meet with one of the ATDC Startup Catalysts specializing in SBIR/STTR during their Office Hours for further discussion:

Connie Ruffner
John Mills
Julie Collins

NOTE: We will be adding more documents/help in the future, so check back for new additions.

Full Solicitation will be released on November 2nd, but a list of 42 intended topics is available now. Proposals will be due on January 22nd and Phase I Awards will have a maximum value of $90,000.

• Ecosystems
• Climate
• Weather and Water
• Commerce and Transportation

What does that have to do with SBIR? Apparently 2 pages of language were inserted in this document to reauthorize not only the DoD SBIR/STTR program until 9/30/2010, but to also extend the Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) as well.

Unfortunately, this does not apply to the other 10 agencies SBIR/STTR programs, which are still up for reauthorization.

Hearing about the SBIR or STTR award process is one thing, but hearing from someone who actually went through the process (and was successful), is even more beneficial. SBIR/STTR Awards can provide your company with up to $850K to conduct research. Why not learn how others have done it and reap valuable knowledge from their experiences? Come hear them relay how they did it, problems they had, and things they wish they had known. Don’t forget to bring your questions too!

Panelists:

• Karol Hatzilias is the President, ShapeStart Measurement Systems, Inc.  Phase 1 and 2 SBIR grant from the Navy.
• Nikil Jayant is a Chaired Professor in the School of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department at Georgia Tech, a Georgia Research Alliance Eminent Scholar, and Co-Founder of  VQLink. Phase 1 and 2 SBIR grants from NSF.
• Ron Garmon is CEO of VueLogic.  VuLogic has received Phase 1 and 2 NSF SBIR funding.
• Thanh Doan is Vice President of Operations at Vivonetics.  SBIR and STTR awards from NIH.

Please note: This is a FREE event (for ATDC Members only), therefore it is a TRUE Brown Bag – meaning, bring your own lunch. If you forget to pack one before you walk out of the house, there are plenty of great restaurants in Tech Square to patron just before you enter this program.

Not an ATDC member? Join now!

• FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
• FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION
• FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION
• FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION
• NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION
• PIPELINE AND HAZARDOUS MATERIALS SAFETY ADMINISTRATION

Those of us in the ATDC who “tutor” companies in applying to the SBIR and STTR programs often wonder why more companies don’t seek our help.  I believe there are a number of reasons including:

1. Companies wait until the last few days to write their proposal and therefore do not have time to get it reviewed and make changes.  I often did this with course work while a college student and that’s a prime reason I was a “C” student.  Well a “C” will not get you very far with SBIR because the competition is submitting “A” work.  Even companies who have won SBIR awards in the past could be more successful with a little more lead time and some help.
2. Those who come from academia are often experienced in submitting research proposals and do not think they need the help.  The biggest problem here is that SBIR proposals are different than the pure scientific research that university faculty have proposed in the past.  Without some help these otherwise successful people fail by not adequately covering the equally important commercialization portion of the proposal.
3. A variation of the above is companies that have smart people who believe they can figure it out by themselves.  Yes, eventually they can.  We all know that we can learn from our failures, but successful people more often learn by the failures of others.  We can help with those lessons.
4. Companies have secrets that they don’t want to let anyone else know, sometimes their technology, their market strategy or their salaries.  Well, since the company is going to reveal these things to the federal agency anyhow, wouldn’t it be better to do so with a proposal that has a better chance of success?  If we had been revealing company secrets, we would have been run out town long before now and most successful people understand this.
5. Some people do not want to hear frank and honest feedback, particularly about their “baby”, the technology that is going to be the next greatest thing.  Most successful people welcome unbiased frank and honest feedback.  So if they want to avoid our feedback, we don’t mind them not seeking our help.  They can get their feedback from the federal agency after they waste time and effort in putting a failed proposal together.

If you and your company do not fit in one of the above categories and are interested in applying for funding under the SBIR or STTR programs, contact John Mills, Julie Collins or Connie Ruffner who provide detailed guidance in this area.

There are over 300 topics and sub-topics in this solicitation.  The Technical Topic listing provides full descriptions of these topics.  Proposal details and instructions can be found in the solicitation.

All companies not previously registered, will need to register before submitting proposals–NOTE: registration can take up to 21 business days to complete.

First, SBIR and STTR awards are for businesses—not individuals.  Even then, they are not appropriate for every business.  The awards are intended for serious, risky research with a high potential for commercial success—meaning, customers will actually pay you money for your innovative, end-product.  Obtaining an award is a competitive process—make sure you CAN submit before you spend time preparing a proposal. So what are these qualifications?  Well, here is a list of the minimum qualifications—specific agencies might have additional qualifications or expectations:

1. Business is set up For-Profit
2. No more than 500 employees in the business (including all affiliated entities)
3. Satisfy ownership issues of the business:
   1.   Business must at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more individuals who are U.S. Citizens or U.S. Permanent Resident Aliens
      OR
   2. Business must be at least 51% owned and controlled by another  small business that satisfies the above “a” requirement 
4. Business and proposed research location must be in the U.S.
5. The Principal Investigator (PI) must be credentialed (education and experience) in the area of research that the business is proposing—must demonstrate on paper that he/she can lead a formal research study
6. The PI must be employed fulltime (usually at least 51%) by the company (NOTE: sometimes for STTR, the PI can be employed by the company OR the partnering Research Institute)
7. The proposed research must address a specified agency topic or area of research interest outlined by the soliciting agency—unsolicited proposals are NOT accepted.

Those are the minimum qualifications.  If you DO qualify and you DO have an innovative idea that can realistically advance the mission of an agency, then submitting a proposal might be appropriate for your company.  Talk to one of the ATDC Startup Catalysts specializing in SBIR (Connie Ruffner, Julie Collins, or John Mills) for more details.