NASA Far West RTTC and the NASA SBIR

NASA Far West RTTC and the NASA SBIR Program Introduction and Keys to Success Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 U S C A E N G I N E E R I N G N A S A R E G I O N A L T E C H N O L O G Y T R A N S F E R http: //www. usc. edu/go/ttc C E N T E R

NASA’s U. S. RTTC Network Center for Technology Commercialization (CTC) Great Lakes Industrial Technology Center (GLITe. C) Technology Commercialization Center, Inc. USC Engineering Technology Transfer Center (ETTC) Southeast RTTC Mid-Continent Technology Transfer Center (MCTTC) Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001

NASA Mechanisms of Commercialization • Licensing of NASA-owned intellectual property • Collaborative arrangements and partnerships • Space Act Agreements • Reimbursable or non-reimbursable • Joint Sponsored Research Agreements • Cooperative agreements and grants • MOU/MOA Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 • SBIR/STTR

SBIR in a Nutshell • SBIR is a federal set-aside funding program for small businesses • SBIR funds innovative, high-risk, early-stage technology R&D projects that have potential for commercial success. • Ten federal agencies solicit proposals for innovative research in areas of interest to the agencies. • Eligible small businesses compete for SBIR awards Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 • Over $1. 2 billion in funding is available each year

Objectives of the SBIR Program • Stimulate technological innovation • Use small business to meet federal R&D needs • Increase private sector commercialization derived from federal R&D • Encourage participation by disadvantaged and minority persons in technological innovation Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001

Agency SBIR Funding Levels Total of all agencies is approximately $1. 2 Billion! Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 Do. D $560 Million (FY 00) DHHS $411 Million (FY 01) NASA $108. 6 Million (FY 02) Do. E $85 Million (FY 02) NSF $65. 5 Million (FY 00) USDA $16. 25 Million (FY 01) Do. T $7. 4 Million (FY 00) Do. ED $7. 1 Million (FY 01) EPA $5. 6 Million (FY 01) Do. C $5. 55 Million (FY 01)

The Three Phases of NASA SBIR Phase I: Feasibility Study • Funded at up to $70, 000 • Six month effort Phase II: Prototype Development • Funded at up to $600, 00 • Up to two year effort Phase III: Commercialization • No SBIR funds available for Phase III Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 • Small business procures other development funds, product orders, intellectual property licenses, commercial partners, etc.

What’s in it for the Small Business? • A source of funds to conduct research and development that a small firm might not otherwise be able to afford • Small business incurs no debt, loss of equity or control of the company • Best utilized by companies that integrate SBIR funds into a strategic plan for growth through new product or service development • Tacit endorsement by the federal government of the small firm’s research qualifications (looks good on the resume) Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 • A chance to become a supplier of specialized products or services to the private sector or back to a government agency (technology infusion) • An opportunity to grow the small business through strategic alliances with larger corporate partners

Before You Dive In to NASA SBIR • NASA accepts phase I proposals only during one ten week period each year, usually from June to August • Success is not just about getting phase I and phase II funding • To succeed in SBIR requires following through all the way to commercialization (phase III) • A small business must have a “commercialization mindset” going into phase I to succeed ultimately in SBIR Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 • Do not propose SBIR efforts that distract you from your company’s strategic goals

Prepare High Quality SBIR Proposals • Read and follow the solicitation carefully • Know your customer • Know the evaluation criteria • Get help from other resources Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001

Prepare High Quality SBIR Proposals Read and Follow the Solicitation Carefully • Get it from http: //sbir. nasa. gov • The solicitation provides all necessary forms and instructions for preparation, assembly and submission of a proposal • Resist the urge to organize your proposal in a free -form, stream-of-consciousness fashion • Use the section numbering scheme prescribed in the solicitation • The solicitation tells precisely what to cover in each section; so cover it. If a section is not applicable, say so. Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 • Submit on time and meet administrative screening requirements

Prepare High Quality SBIR Proposals Know Your Customer • Use the solicitation to identify topics to which you believe you can be responsive • Use RTTC, NASA SBIR Manager to identify NASA authors of relevant SBIR topics (NASA calls them Sub-Topic Managers) • Establish a relationship with the Sub-Topic Manager. He or she may be your customer if you win an award. • These people can help you understand NASA’s real, sometimes unstated, needs and priorities. • Tailor your SBIR proposal accordingly Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 • Timing is important: Sub-Topic Managers are not available to advise you during the ten-week period each year when NASA is accepting proposals. Plan

Prepare High Quality SBIR Proposals Know The Evaluation Criteria • The solicitation tells you what the evaluation criteria are • For phase I proposals: • Scientific/technical merit and feasibility • Experience, qualifications and facilities • Effectiveness of proposed work plan • Commercial merit and feasibility • Increase the odds of winning by making your proposal shine in each of these areas Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 • Look outside the company to acquire necessary resources to address deficiencies

Prepare High Quality SBIR Proposals Know and Use SBIR Program Resources • NASA Far West RTTC • NASA SBIR Managers Rosa Tonarelli, NASA Ames • NASA SBIR website (http: //sbir. nasa. gov) NASA SBIR Solicitation Participation guide Previous Award Winners Successes Key NASA Contacts • NASA SBIR Support contractor Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001 REI Systems

For Further Information. . . NASA Far West Regional Technology Transfer Center • http: //www. usc. edu/go/TTC/NASA/SBIR/index. html • 213 -743 -2353 • 800 -642 -2872 • nasa@usc. edu Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001

For Further Information. . . NASA SBIR Website http: //sbir. nasa. gov Presented by: Martin Zeller Date: December 6, 2001