Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center

DARPA’s pilot project aims to increase funding opportunities in SBIR and STTR programs

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Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) are the principal set-aside programs for small business participation in federal research and development funding, yet the requirements for administering and managing these programs have not changed significantly in decades.

To keep pace with discovery in science and technology worldwide, DARPA now intends to release SBIR/STTR opportunities on an out-of-cycle basis, separate from the three pre-determined announcements traditionally issued directly through the Department of Defense (DoD). The change is expected to reduce the overall time from opportunity announcement to contract award.

Prior to the change, the timeline for SBIR/STTR funding opportunities was managed independently of DARPA’s primary technology programs, which resulted in small businesses being isolated from the benefits associated with integration into established program communities. Under the terms of the pilot program, however, DARPA will institute timesaving measures to speed program integration, such as Direct to Phase II authority, which allows the agency to bypass Phase I research requirements once performers provide satisfactory documentation of feasibility, and/or proof of scientific merit, technical merit, and commercialization potential.

DARPA will also seek to identify SBIR/STTR Phase II awardees with a compelling go-to-market strategy for participation in a newly created commercialization accelerator. The DARPA accelerator will provide additional funding to employ one entrepreneur-in-residence or business development lead who will offer the awardee direct support for activities including, but not limited to, customer engagement planning, market analysis and mapping, competitive analysis, techno-economic analysis, IP securement strategy development, and financial plan creation.

“It’s essential to change our acquisition practices to mirror the commercial marketplace if we hope to attract revolutionary companies that normally avoid working with the federal government,” said Dr. Steven Walker, director of DARPA. “This move will provide DARPA the flexibility to operate at a much faster pace than traditional SBIR/STTR contracting cycles have historically allowed.”

Congress established the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program in 1982 to provide opportunities for small businesses to participate in federal government-sponsored research and development. Since that time, DARPA has leveraged SBIR awards to promote and sustain small business innovation as well as foster the development and transition of critical national security capabilities.

Full details regarding DARPA’s SBIR/STTR programs and associated Broad Agency Announcements are available at: https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/for-small-businesses.

Source: https://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2019-03-01

See DARPA’s 10 focus areas for small businesses here: https://www.nextgov.com/emerging-tech/2019/03/darpa-highlights-10-focus-areas-innovative-small-businesses/155279/

USDOT is on the hunt for automation, blockchain and more

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The U.S. Department of Transportation is looking to fund a new slate of emerging technology applications, including automation and blockchain.

USDOT opened the fiscal 2019 solicitation for its Small Business Innovation Research program Tuesday, calling on small businesses to provide solutions focused in 12 topic areas:

  • Automated Detection of Broken Spike Fasteners in Wood Tie Railroad Track
  • Automated Driving Systems Test Data Interface
  • Automated, Drone-Based Grade Crossing Inspection
  • Cost Allocation Technology for Non-Emergency Medical Transportation
  • Improved Condition Monitoring of Traction Motors
  • Inline-Inspection Tool for Detecting Coating Defects/Disbondment of Coating
  • Innovative, Low-Cost Methods for Concrete Bridge Deck Assessment
  • In-Vehicle Highway Rail Grade Crossing Alert System
  • Portable Stiffness/Elastic Modulus Measurement System
  • Secure Motor Carrier Safety Data Information Exchange Using Blockchain
  • Vehicle Communication via Induction Paint
  • Wireless Pore Water Pressure Sensor

The SBIR program is administered by the Small Business Administration and includes 11 federal agencies that award R&D contracts to fund and mature new potential technology applications.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.fedscoop.com/dot-opens-solicitation-new-innovative-technologies/

How to Apply
  • Read the 2019 Solicitation for information about the 2019 topics and about proposal requirements.
  • Review the 19 Technical and Administrative Questions
  • If you do not see the answer to your question(s), submit additional technical or administrative questions to the U.S. DOT SBIR Program Office at dotsbir@dot.gov.
  • All questions and answers will be posted as soon as they are received and answered by DOT SBIR program experts.

Submit a proposal through DOT’s SBIR secure site.

Contractors are confident amid uncertain political environment

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These days, change and uncertainty seem to be the one constant in the world of government and business.

As we move into the middle of the year, it’s hard not to be affected by the constant reminders of risk and uncertainty all around us with a slow-growing economy, political gridlock, skepticism in government and heightened tensions around the world. But as we measured the collective “mood” of government contractors in our recent survey of contractor sales expectations, a very different perspective emerged.

Contractors, vendors and suppliers are betting that the economy will continue to grow, agency budgets and spending will continue to improve, and that the “wait and see” type of caution that characterized many government contracting decisions prior to the November elections will transition to an “invest and grow” mentality in vital areas like infrastructure and technology.

In short, rather than limping along in a defensive posture, the government contracting marketplace is expected to be on its front foot in the coming year – a bright spot on the landscape.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.routefifty.com/finance/2017/07/contractors-remain-confident-amid-uncertain-political-environment/139341/

Can the government save money by privatizing prisons, Medicare and other functions?

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Should we run the government like a business? The Conversation

Donald Trump seems to think so. During his campaign for president, Trump returned again and again to his supposed success as a businessman and promised government programs “under budget and ahead of schedule.” His hotel in Washington would be “a metaphor for what we can accomplish for this country.”

The qualities Trump sees in himself are what he seems have been looking for in his Cabinet. His nominees for the State, Treasury and Commerce departments are successful businessmen with no previous government experience. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao are both heirs to business fortunes.

Trump is not alone in this approach. George W. Bush touted his Harvard MBA. Six decades ago, Dwight Eisenhower’s Cabinet was described as “eight millionaires and a plumber.”

Keep reading this article at: http://www.govexec.com/management/2017/03/can-government-save-money-privatizing-prisons-medicare-and-other-functions/135916/

Start 2017 by learning the basics of government contracting

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Did you make a New Year’s resolution to learn how to increase company revenues by learning how to do business with the government?
Need help keeping your resolution?
You have to look no further than the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC) for help!

On January 3rd and 4th, 2017, GTPAC is presenting free webinars that address the fundamentals you need to know in order to do business in the government sector.  Each of the webinars lasts 3 hours.  You can choose to participate in one or the other by clicking on either of the links below:

See GTPAC’s complete listing of free government contracting seminars and webinars here: http://gtpac.ecenterdirect.com/events

Fort Gordon holding forum June 16th to talk about upcoming contract opportunities

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Fort GordonThe Army’s Mission and Installation Contracting Command (MICC) at Fort Gordon is inviting Georgia businesses to attend a “Forecast Forum” on June 16, 2016 to learn about anticipated forecast opportunities for FY 2016 and beyond.

In addition to contract forecast information from MICC, presentations also will be made by the Atlanta District Office of the Small Business Administration (SBA), the Georgia Tech Procurement Assistance Center (GTPAC), the National Security Agency (NSA), and the Army Corps of Engineers (ACE).

Event Details

Date: June 16, 2016

Time: 8:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M.

Event Sign-In: 7:30 A.M. to 8:00 A.M.

Location: Signal Theater, Bldg. 21610, Fort Gordon, GA 30905 (at the corner of Barnes Avenue and 25th Street)

Registration Details

Advance registration is required.  Registration is via email.  Email the following information to: gail.a.wells4.civ@mail.mil

Registration information required in email:

Name:

Company Name:

Business size/socioeconomic category:

Primary NAICS:

Important Base Access Information

If you have a Military/DoD Civilian ID or CAC Card, you can gain access to Fort Gordon through any gate. If you do not, you can only gain access through the Main Gate by way of Dyess Parkway and Gordon Highway. You will need to show Auto Registration, Auto Insurance, Driver’s License and another form of ID.  Please allow extra time for background check and vehicle inspection. Do not speed or use cellular phones without a hands-free device while driving on Fort Gordon. All vehicles must stop for pedestrians in crosswalks.

New tool digitizes feds’ purchase forecasts, targets small-business users

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18F at GSAThe innovation team at 18F has created a tool to help the General Services Administration (GSA) forecast the purchasing needs of federal agencies.

The open source tool displays contract forecasting opportunities targeted to small-business owners and lets users filter and search by keywords, according to a May 2 blog post by 18F. Previously, GSA was forecasting using a spreadsheet with dozens of columns and hundreds of rows that had to be updated manually.

GSA’s Office of Small Business Utilization, or OSBU, is required to compile projections of contracting opportunities that owners of small, disadvantaged businesses and women-owned businesses may be able to compete for, the blog stated, but GSA was publishing only its own agency data.

That meant businesses had to go to dozens of agency web sites to find forecast information for those agencies.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.fiercegovernmentit.com/story/new-tool-digitizes-feds-purchase-forecasts-targets-small-business-users/2016-05-03

See the new contract forecasting tool at: https://gsaforecast.gsa.gov/

Clayton County Water Authority hosts social media workshop June 1st

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Clayton County Water AuthorityNow you can learn how to effectively use social media to promote your business by attending training conducted by an industry marketing and advertising expert.

The Clayton County Water Authority is holding a free, two-hour “Social Media” workshop for small businesses on Wednesday, June 1, 2016.

The event will commence at 9:00 am at the Clayton County Water Authority’s headquarters in the Marie Barber Community Use Room, located at 1600 Battle Creek Road, Morrow, GA 30260.

You must register in advance in order to attend.  Space is limited.  Register at: http://www.eventbrite.com/e/ccwa-social-media-workshop-for-small-business-tickets-24679961429

Questions about this workshop or business opportunities with the Clayton County Water Authority can be directed to:

Georgia Tech’s MBDA Business Center hosts minority manufacturers’ summit on Mar. 24th

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National MBE Manufacturers SummitThe National MBE Manufacturers Summit will be held on March 24, 2016 at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center in Atlanta, Georgia.

This is a national manufacturing industry-specific event, exclusively for minority business enterprise (MBE) manufacturers, supply chain decision makers, and stakeholders with a focus on innovation, technology, and business-to-business matchmaking.

Attendees will have an opportunity to connect with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), other manufacturers, and the national Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center Network.

Guest speakers include:  Alejandra Y. Castillo, National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce, MBDA; Dr. G.P. Peterson, President of the Georgia Institute of Technology; and others for a one-of-a-kind summit that will offer:

  • Access to Technology Transfer Opportunities
  • Knowledge of the Latest Trends and Innovation in Manufacturing
  • Connections with Large Manufacturing Enterprises
  • Contact with Supply Chain Networks
  • Development of Short and Long-term Partnerships

For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.mbemanufacturersummit.org.

Want to grow your government contracting business? Be ready for what you wish for!

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Federal small business programs are valuable. But they can also inadvertently stunt or even slash the growth of companies that the programs are intended to help.

First, small business owners with big ambitions can capture big wins that pump up their revenue beyond their small business size standards. But without the support of federal small business programs, more than a few can’t win new work to sustain that growth. When the company shrinks again, that slide back into small business status means lost jobs.

Then there’s those that deliberately cap their business growth to hang on to the advantages of small business programs. Their plan is either to hold steady, or get acquired. That holding pattern represents lost opportunity.

But stagnation and backsliding aren’t inevitable. Practical tactics can help in the short term.

Keep reading this article at: http://www.bizjournals.com/washington/blog/fedbiz_daily/2014/06/want-to-grow-your-government-contracting-business.html?page=all

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