WASHINGTON – Naval Sea Systems Command’s (NAVSEA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program office hosted its first Forum for SBIR/STTR Transition (FST) at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington D.C. Jan. 29.
The SBIR/STTR program funds science and technology projects through small business research, development, and innovation to enhance Navy warfighting capabilities. The FST mobilizes government, industry and academic innovators by connecting SBIR/STTR-funded technologies with warfighters, government acquisition and technical personnel, large prime contractors, system integrators, and other potential transition partners.
“The SBIR and STTR programs provide the Navy with the ability to urgently get after new technologies and processes required in this era of great power competition,” noted Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, Deputy Commander for Ship Design, Integration and Engineering. Selby, along with Robert Smith, Department of Navy SBIR/STTR director and Dean Putnam, NAVSEA SBIR/STTR program manager, served as the event’s primary speakers.
Twenty-six SBIR/STTR Phase II small businesses showcased innovative technologies. The Navy's SBIR/STTR program brings solutions to the warfighter at the speed of innovation through a highly competitive three-phase process. This three-phase process includes:
Phase I - A feasibility study to determine the scientific or technical merit of an idea or technology that may provide a solution to the Navy Department’s need or requirement.
Phase II - If the Phase I effort is successful, the firm may compete for Phase II funding, which is a substantial research and development effort. Phase II is typically a demonstration phase in which prototypes are built and tested.
Phase III - This is the goal of most SBIR projects. Although no government SBIR funds are involved, Phase III funding can come from the government and/or private sector. The target is to transition a company's SBIR effort into products, tools or services that benefit the Navy acquisition community.
“Small business is the engine that drives technology innovation, helping us meet and overcome increasingly serious threats from competitors and adversaries,” said Putnam.
Introducing new approaches to accelerate technology to the warfighter, NAVSEA’s FST emphasized a highly successful SBIR Pilot Program, the Navy Accelerator, which introduced broader topics, abbreviated the proposal evaluation process to a remarkable 7 days, and awarded Phase I contracts in under 30 days.
“The SBIR/STTR program has been re-engineered for faster technology development. The opened aperture inserts emerging technology into programs earlier and provides life-saving equipment to the warfighter faster,” said Putnam.
For more information visit: https://navyfst.com/.
- NAVSEA -