SBIR-STTR_2016_Year_in_ReviewV6-WEB

TECHNOLOGY
INTERCHANGE MEETINGS
The Air Force SBIR/STTR CRP Industry Technology
Interchange Meetings (TIM) develop or enhance
Major Defense Contractor (MDC) partnerships with
the Air Force through collaborative interactions.
The goal of the TIMs is to establish a general process
conducive to shepherding SBIR/STTR developed
technologies for transition to support the warfighter.
We hope establishing this partnership between relevant
stakeholders will allow for a greater probability of
return on investment for SBIR topics. These are two day
events with MDC leadership briefings, briefings from
the Air Force, and one-on-one technology matchmaking
meetings.
Since their inception in 2008, 15 different MDCs
have requested and participated, most of whom, after
experiencing success, have participated more than
once. The outstanding support continues to grow, and
this is clear each year through the addition of new
organizations, incorporation of new business units,
and inclusion of new subject matter experts (SME).
To facilitate, the CRP team walks the MDCs through a
15-Week Process. During this process, CRP helps the
MDC provide training on how to find SBIR/STTR efforts
for data mining and due diligence activities, and how to
prepare for their one-on-one sessions. The success of
each event is mainly due to the dedication of the MDC
performing due diligence to identify if selected data
mined technologies meet the MDCs’ needs. The unique
characteristic of the TIMs is that they are hosted by
the MDC at their facility to increase the opportunity
to get the “right people around the table” for the real
discussion needed to determine a technology fit. We
encourage establishing a Non-Disclosure Agreement
prior to the meeting to allow for an immediate deep
dive of the technology. All stakeholders are able to
leave the room with a strong understanding of the small
business’s capabilities, the needs of the MDC and a plan
for what will happen next.
In 2015, Air Force SBIR/STTR CRP assisted six MDCs
(Harris Corporation, Orbital ATK, L-3, Raytheon
SAS, Boeing, and Northrop Grumman) and 78 small
businesses through the TIM process, facilitating
over 120 one-on-one meetings. Of these meetings,
approximately 50% are currently being reviewed for
transition potential. We have also found many one-onones
from years past have begun to produce successful
results, even three years later. Regardless of the
outcome of each individual one-on-one, small businesses
benefit from the education on how to do business
with the MDC, the MDCs benefit from government
presentations and CRP contacts, and all form positive
relationships.
Time and time again, the MDC POCs have thanked the
Air Force CRP team for the thorough facilitation and
successful outcomes. The lead POC from ATK recently
commented that “this year’s effort was a success in that
[they] discovered numerous companies of interest using
the TIM process.” He continued to say that “[they] have
built a great relationship with the Air Force and look
forward to working with the Air Force CRP team each
year to discover new opportunities.” Similar feedback
has been received from other MDCs. Upcoming TIMs
in 2016 include Northrop Grumman, Orbital ATK, L-3,
Raytheon SAS, Boeing Company, and Rolls-Royce, ULA,
and Lockheed Martin.
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