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NEWS | Jan. 27, 2019

Navy to Host Small Business Forum

By Naval Sea Systems Command Office of Corporate Communication

WASHINGTON -- The Department of the Navy Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program Office will host the Forum for SBIR/STTR Transition (FST), at the Washington Navy Yard on January 29.

The Navy's SBIR/STTR program brings solutions to the warfighter at the speed of innovation through a highly competitive three-phase process. The SBIR/STTR program funds science and technology areas through small business research and development innovation to enhance Navy warfighting capabilities.

Aimed at solving challenges faced by today's Navy, the annual FST symposium provides small businesses access to procurement professionals and program managers for collaboration opportunities. DON "The goal of the FST is to introduce innovative SBIR/STTR-funded technologies to industry, small companies, investors, potential partners, government program managers, acquisition professionals, and prime contractors,” said BoB Smith, SBIR/STTR program director.

FST will consist of keynote speakers, including Rear Adm. Lorin Selby, Tech Talks, and one-on-one networking sessions. Small businesses will showcase the Phase II technologies they have developed in booths and presentations.

FST symposium organizers are offering two tech tools as interactive information conduits for participants and for those unable to attend. The Virtual Transition Marketplace (VTM) gives detailed information on all FST participating companies with a virtual "briefcase" to tag and save projects, and schedules one-on-one meetings at the touch of a button. The VTM can be found at www.navyfst.com/vtm. The FST is also offering a mobile app complete with a FST company directory, exhibit floor plan, and speaker bios. The NAVYFST app is available for Android and Apple.

Companies participating in the FST are typically near the end of a three-year SBIR/STTR Phase II effort and are ready to move on to Phase III for further development and/or acquisition. Phase III awards are authorized to any company that completed a Phase I or Phase II contract; program Managers can use statutory authority to award contracts to SBIR/STTR companies quickly to meet urgent needs.  NAVSEA SBIR/STTR Program Manager, Dean Putnam, articulates the desire to help government and small businesses accelerate Phase III transitions: "The SBIR/STTR Program solves problems and speeds technology to the warfighter; taking advantage of the Program helps the Navy conquer urgent priorities. The FST provides immediate and interactive opportunities for government and business to accelerate the SBIR/STTR transitions." 

                                                                               - NAVSEA - 

Editor's Note:  Email NAVSEA’s Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer offices 
for more information on small business research and development opportunities.