SBIR-STTR

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

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.

PROGRAM MISSION

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

NAVY FORUM BROAD AGENCY
ANNOUNCEMENT (BAA)

As of April 15, 2026, be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, the SBIR and STTR programs have been reauthorized via the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act. The new act expands the requirements for the administering agencies to evaluate the security risks of small businesses applying for awards; if an agency denies an application for security reasons, these reasons must be provided to the applicants. Maximum limits have been set in place on submissions by small businesses for Phase I and Phase II solicitations. Expanded training requirements for contracting officers and acquisition workers regarding Phase III awards have been added. Strategic breakthrough allocations have been established in the form of additional Phase II SBIR/STTR awards, to be given to small businesses that demonstrate effective solutions for critical technology areas.

NAVSEA SBIR/STTR topics will be released on the same schedule as all DoW Departments and their respective System Commands, with topics releasing on the first Wednesday of the month.

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 the open period begins, 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 DoW SBIR STTR Topics and Q&A. 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 permitted to be submitted.

NAVSEA SBIR/STTR CALENDAR

SMALL BUSINESS NEWS

Bayou Tech Node joins Gulf Coast Tech Bridge, increasing warfighter readiness

The U.S. Navy’s acquisition chief announced the establishment of the Gulf Coast Tech Bridge - the latest effort by the Navy to enable greater collaboration with non-traditional partners and develop partnerships that will make the sea service stronger.

Aug. 13, 2025 - The Gulf Coast Tech Bridge (GCTB), in partnership with NavalX and the Naval Information Warfare

NSWC PCD enhances U.S. Navy autonomous solutions through real-time innovation

(left) Jonathan King, Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division project and technical execution lead, and Dr. Denton Woods, NSWC PCD scientist, stand next to their latest development the Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Digital Twin Initiative, July 8. This initiative creates realistic, physics-based virtual sonar simulations that allow for critical data collection. These diverse datasets are crucial for validating autonomous systems, target recognition, and change detection technologies, and vital for transitioning advanced technologies into the fleet. (U.S. Navy photo by Ronnie Newsome)

Aug. 4, 2025 - To remain the strongest and most lethal force in the world, the U.S. Navy must maintain superiority

AN/SPY-6(V)1 Radar: Eyes of the fleet

TAMPA, Fla. – The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125) was commissioned in Tampa, Florida on October 7, 2023. This vessel is the first of its kind to be equipped with the Aegis Weapon System, Baseline 10. At the heart of this system is the AN/SPY-6(V)1, an advanced, automatic detect-and-track, multi-function phased-array radar. (DoD photo by EJ Hersom)

July 15, 2025 - Naval warfare evolves rapidly and staying ahead of adversaries requires relentless innovation and

NSWC Panama City's Diving Depot: forging warfighter readiness through expert maintenance and modernization

Neil Patterson, Senior Underwater Breathing Apparatus (UBA) technician, performs an entire overhaul of a MK16 Mod 1 UBA during a 72-month routine maintenance cycle, May 28. The unit is completely disassembled and subjected to specialized oxygen cleaning procedures to ensure optimal warfighter support. *Background boards were altered to safeguard mission information. (U.S. Navy photo by Ronnie Newsome)

July 8, 2025 - NSWC Panama City Division Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diving and Life Support Depot specializes in delivering decisive combat power to the warfighter. One person who directly impacts that mission is Neil Patterson, senior underwater breathing apparatus technician. He brings more than 40 years of diving experience to the depot's ability to provide divers with reliable equipment needed to operate safely and effectively. This is just one-way NSWC PCD generates readiness and maintains, modernizes and sustains platforms to support the warfighter as a Force Behind the Fleet.

NUWC Division Newport commander advises SeaPort Council representatives that warfare center is ‘open for business’

Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport Commanding Officer Capt. Chad Hennings tells contracting company representatives that the warfare center is “open for business,” as members of Division Newport’s Contracts Department look on, during the SeaPort Next Generation (NxG) and Contracts Council meeting held at the warfare center on May 14, 2025.

May 28, 2025 - Despite rapid and dramatic changes within the federal government under the current administration, the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) Division Newport remains “open for business.” That was the message delivered by Commanding Officer Capt. Chad Hennings at a well-attended SeaPort Next Generation (NxG) and Contracts Council meeting held May 14 at Division Newport ...