H.R. 2965, the Enhancing Small Business Research and Innovation Act of 2009; H.Rpt. 111-190 Parts 1 and 2 (Altmire)

Extends for two years the SBIR/ STTR programs . Permits small businesses with investment from venture capital companies to participate in the SBIR and STTR program, provided they meet certain eligibility requirements 7 .8 .09: House passed H .R .2965, 386–41 . 7 .13 .09: Senate passed H .R . 2965 in lieu of S . 1233 with an amendment substituting House language with provisions in Senate bill . Unanimous consent . Note: On 9.23.09 the House passed H.R. 3614, authorizing SBA programs through 10.31.09. Senate approval expected.

Key Dates
Release Date: August 19, 2009
Contract Proposal Receipt Date: November 9, 2009

Issued by
National Institutes of Health (NIH) (www.nih.gov)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (www.cdc.gov)

Innovative technologies and methodologies fuel progress in biomedical and behavioral research and represent an increasingly important area of the economy. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program provides support for research and development (R&D) of new or improved technologies and methodologies that have the potential to succeed as commercial products.

The purpose of this notice is to (1) announce the issuance of the Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for Small Business Innovation Research Contract Proposals (PHS 2010-1) with a receipt date of November 9, 2009; and (2) inform the public about the opportunities that the SBIR program offers to small business concerns as well as to scientists at research institutions.  The full proposal data sheet can be found by clicking here!

The SBIR legislation requires the Public Health Service (PHS), Department of Health and Human Services, and certain other Federal agencies to reserve 2.5 percent of their extramural research or R&D budgets for an SBIR program. (The NIH SBIR set-aside requirement for FY 2009 is $599.9 million.)

The offeror organization must be a small business concern as defined by the Small Business Administration and described in the Contract Solicitation. The primary employment of the principal investigator MUST be with the small business concern at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In accord with the intent of the SBIR program to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal R&D, scientists at research institutions can play an important role in an SBIR project by serving as consultants and/or subcontractors to the small business concern. Generally, up to one-third of the Phase I budget may be spent on consultant and/or subcontractual costs, and, generally, up to one-half of the Phase II budget may be spent on such costs. In this manner, a small business concern with limited expertise and/or research facilities may benefit from teaming with a scientist(s) at a research institution; for the scientist(s) at a research institution, this team effort provides support for R&D not otherwise obtained. The SBIR program consists of the following three phases:

PHASE I: The objective of this phase is to determine the scientific and technical merit and feasibility and potential for commercialization of the proposed research or R&D efforts and the quality of performance of the small business concern, before consideration of further Federal support in Phase II. Generally, Phase I SBIR awards do not exceed $100,000 for direct costs, Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, and negotiated fixed fee for a period generally not to exceed six months.

PHASE II: The objective of this phase is to continue the research or R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding shall be based on the results of Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the Phase II proposal. Only Phase I contractors are eligible to apply for Phase II funding, and Phase II proposals may be submitted ONLY upon the request of the Contracting Officer. (However, see “Fast-Track” Initiative below.) Generally, Phase II awards do not exceed $750,000 for direct costs, F&A costs, and negotiated fixed fee for a period generally not to exceed two years. That is, generally, a two-year Phase II project does not cost more than $750,000 for that project. Only one Phase II award may be made for any SBIR project.

PHASE III: The objective of this phase is for the small business concern to pursue, with non-SBIR funds, the commercialization of the results of the research or R&D funded in Phases I and II.