The "Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act" aims to enhance the security of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) awards, evaluating business security risks and affiliations. It introduces the Phase II strategic breakthrough funding, streamlines administrative processes, and increases opportunities for small businesses to receive substantial funding. The bill also focuses on improving the SBIR and STTR programs by advocating for product and technology transition, simplifying procedures and contracts, providing assistance, extending program authorization, and expanding data collection and pilot programs until September 30, 2031. The Government Accountability Office will conduct an extended study, increasing the duration to eight years to assess the bill's impact.
Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs. (The SBIR and STTR programs are administered by various federal agencies and provide competitive awards for domestic small businesses to conduct research and development projects that have the potential for commercialization.)
Specifically, the bill expands the requirements for federal agencies administering these programs to evaluate the security risks of the small businesses that apply for awards under the programs. If an agency denies an application for security reasons, the agency must provide the small business with the basis for such determination.
Further, each agency must set a maximum number of proposals per fiscal year that a small business concern may submit in response to Phase I and Phase II solicitations.
The bill expands the training requirements for agencies' contracting officers and acquisition workforce with respect to Phase III (commercialization of technologies) awards under the SBIR and STTR programs.
The bill also establishes strategic breakthrough allocations for critical technology areas. These are additional Phase II SBIR and STTR awards to small businesses that demonstrate an effective technology and receive matching funds.