SBIR_2016_Year_in_Review-FINAL-WEB-with_links-PACleared

FROM THE
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
David Shahady
U.S. Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Director
The Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology
Transfer (STTR) Program has focused on bringing
new technologies to the marketplace since the SBIR/
STTR inception in the 1980s. In part, the program’s
start reflected a concern that government investment
in research wasn’t being adequately transformed into
products that could generate a healthier economy,
employment and increased competitiveness in the global
marketplace. Additionally, directing a portion of federal
investment in Research & Development (R&D) to
small businesses was seen as a means of answering the
mission needs of federal agencies and increasing small
business participation in innovation.
In 2016, Congressional and Executive Branch interest
in commercialization of SBIR and STTR technologies
reached an all-time-high. The congressional objectives
included: stimulating technological innovation,
using small business to meet federal research and
development needs, fostering and encouraging
participation by minority and disadvantaged persons in
technological innovation, and increasing private sector
commercialization derived from federal research and
development.
The Air Force SBIR/STTR program kept these objectives
paramount to our 2016 endeavors, participating in three
Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) – which resulted
in over 400 contracts to small businesses. The program
also funded dozens of Commercialization Readiness
Program (CRP) efforts to transition and mature SBIR
technologies.
During the year we also made great strides to broaden
the public understanding of the SBIR/STTR opportunity
by continuing work initiated by Congress’ 2013
pilot program that provided additional funding for
administrative efforts. These efforts focused on program
improvements, increased outreach to underserved
communities, and infrastructure upgrades. We also
continued implementation of Small Business Industry
Days (SBIDs), Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs),
fraud, waste and abuse countermeasures, a Technical
Acceleration Program (TAP), participation in operational
demonstrations, and funding for over 50 technology
transition efforts.
It has been extremely rewarding to see these projects
continue to grow and reach a critical mass that benefits
all of the program’s participants and stakeholders. We
are looking forward to continuing to enhance and push
the program to even greater heights in 2017.
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