The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program strengthens opportunities for innovative small businesses using federally funded research. The program stimulates technological innovation, uses small businesses to meet federal research needs, and enables participation by socially and economically disadvantaged businesses. Additionally, the program facilitates the transition of the resulting research into the commercial sector, a strategy that increases competition, productivity and economic growth.

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program is a sister program to SBIR that requires the small business to partner with a University, a Federally Funded Research and Development Center, or a qualified non-profit research institution. The STTR standards require the small business to serve as the prime contractor and perform at least 40 percent of the work, with the research partner performing at least 30 percent of the work. The remaining work may be done either the small business, the research partner, or by a third party. 

Visit www.navysbir.com for more information on eligibility requirements.

The primary goal of the Department of the Navy’s SBIR and STTR programs is to use small business to develop innovative technologies that meet a broad range of Navy and Marine Corps needs. The ultimate goal is to insert SBIR/STTR technologies and products into platforms and systems that help the Department of the Navy, also referred to as DON, to achieve its mission. The Navy’s process is acquisition-driven with strong technology pull from the various Systems Commands, referred to as SYSCOMs. The Navy accounts for over 50% of all Phase III commercialization dollars for DoD SBIR/STTR programs. Another service the Navy provides is called the SBIR/STTR Transition Program or STP. Every Navy Phase II awardee is invited. We usually see a 20% higher Phase III award rate for STP participants.

For the Navy success is the transition or commercialization of a technology to a warfighter. Example of Navy success stories and additional program information can be found on the Navy SBIR/STTR website, www.navysbir.com

As of September 30, 2022 Congress has approved reauthorization of the SBIR & STTR Extension Act of 2022. The NAVY’s SBIR programs will now present Open Topics to seek commercial small business solutions to meet mission critical Naval needs. Establish a due diligence program to assess potential risks posed by foreign ties and obligations. And increase the minimum performance standards for experienced firms, while limiting private entity solicitation influences.

Majority of NAVSEA participation is presented in the first BAA of the three DOD BAA’s.

Direct contact with topic authors is permitted during the pre-release period.

Proposing firms have an opportunity to directly contact the Technical Point of Contact to ask technical questions about the specific BAA topic. Once DoD begins accepting proposals, no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the pre-release period.

SITIS Q&A System:  After the pre-release period, proposers may submit written questions through SITIS (SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System) at www.dodsbirsttr.mil/topics-app/, login and follow instructions. In SITIS, the questioner and respondent remain anonymous, but all questions and answers are posted for general viewing. During the open period until two weeks prior to the close date for active BAAs, questions are only permitted to be submitted.

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