National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program
1998 SBIR Phase II Press Release

Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington, D.C.
(Phone: 202/358-1979)
January 6, 2000

RELEASE: 00-3

NASA SELECTS 25 INNOVATIVE SMALL BUSINESS PROJECTS

America's space agency does more than explore space: It also stimulates small and disadvantaged businesses to develop new technologies. To this end, NASA has selected 25 research proposals for negotiation of Phase 2 contract awards for its Small Business Innovation Research Program. The total value of the awards is expected to be more than $15 million and will be conducted by 25 firms in 12 states.

These selections will assist future NASA missions by providing advanced technologies in such areas as high-optical-quality, lightweight reflectors and mirrors; high speed digital communications links with reduced power and size requirements; and reduced mass requirements for spacecraft thermal-control systems.

Phase 2 continues development of the most promising previously selected Phase 1 projects. Selection criteria include scientific and technical merit, future importance and eventual value of the innovation to NASA, company capabilities and commercial potential. Funding for Phase 2 contracts may be up to $600,000 for a two-year performance period..

SBIR contractors submitted 319 Phase 2 proposals; 103 of these proposals were selected on August 27, 1999. Based on current budget availability, these additional 25 selections now are being announced.

The goals of the SBIR program are to stimulate technological innovation, increase the use of small business (including women-owned and disadvantaged firms) in meeting federal research and development needs, and increase private sector commercialization of federally funded research results. Four of the companies being selected today are disadvantaged firms and three are women-owned firms.

The NASA SBIR Program Management Office is located at its Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, with executive oversight by NASA's Office of Aero-Space Technology, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC. Individual SBIR projects are managed by the NASA's ten field centers.

A listing of the selected companies can be accessed on the internet at: http://sbir.nasa.gov

-end-