Program Seeks Solutions To Specific Technology Gaps In NASA Missions

To enable future space exploration while helping to seed viable commercial products and services here in America, NASA is seeking proposals for the agency's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

The SBIR and STTR Programs provide small businesses and nonprofit research institutions with opportunities to address specific technology gaps in NASA missions, while stimulating opportunities for the commercialization of new technologies developed through federal research and development. Program results have benefited many NASA efforts, such as modern air traffic control systems, Earth and sun observing spacecraft, the International Space Station, planetary and astrophysics science missions and the technologies needed for human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.

"America's small high-tech businesses are the catalyst for innovation in our technology based economy," said Michael Gazarik, NASA's associate administrator for space technology in Washington. "Our SBIR and STTR programs provide an on-ramp for partnering with NASA on new technologies that will enable our future missions and improve life here on Earth."

The highly competitive programs are based on a three-phase award system. Phase 1 is a feasibility study to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of an idea. Firms successfully completing Phase 1 are eligible to submit Phase 2 proposals, expanding on the results of Phase 1. Phase 3 includes commercialization of the results of Phase 2, and requires the use of private sector or non-SBIR federal funding as innovations move from the laboratory to the marketplace.

The deadline for the two solicitations is Jan. 29, 2014. Selections are expected in late April.

FMI: http://sbir.nasa.gov