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Solicitations | 1999
STTR Phase I Solicitation | Chapter
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National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Small Business Technology Transfer 1999 Program Solicitation
1.1 Introduction
1.2 NASA STTR Program Concept
1.3 Features of the Three-Phase STTR Program
1.4 Program Eligibility
1.5 Access to NASA STTR Program Information
1. STTR Program Description
1.1 Introduction
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) invites Small Business
Concerns (SBC), as defined in section 2.3, in
collaboration with a Research Institution (RI), as defined in section
2.2, to submit Phase-I proposals for cooperative research under this 1999 Solicitation for the Small Business Technology
Transfer (STTR) Program. The NASA STTR Program is designed as a vehicle for converting the nation's
investment in research carried out by RIs into new commercial technologies for advancing U.S. economic
competitiveness and high-tech development.
Subject to the availability of funds, NASA plans to select 20-25 proposals in August 1999 for negotiation
of Phase-I fixed-price contracts. NASA anticipates that about 35 percent of these Phase-I projects will be
selected for Phase-II development.
Proposals submitted in response to this solicitation must be jointly developed by a
SBC and a RI, and must include all relevant documentation as required in Section 3. Not less than 40 percent of the work (amount
requested including cost sharing, less fee, if any) is to be performed by the SBC as the
prime contractor, and not less than 30 percent of the work is to be performed by
the RI.
1.2 NASA STTR Program Concept
The NASA STTR Program is a three-phase program utilizing the entrepreneurial talents of the SBC to
convert technology resident at the RI for meeting the needs of both NASA and the commercial
marketplace. Proposals submitted in response to this Solicitation must present an innovative technology
concept, which is applicable to the following Research Topics and NASA Centers of Excellence.
1.3 Features of the Three-Phase STTR Program
1.3.1 Legislative Basis. The legislative basis for this Solicitation is the Small Business Research and
Development Enhancement Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-564, October 28, 1992). It amends Section 9 of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638). On August 10, 1993, the Small Business Administration (SBA)
issued a Policy Directive for the general conduct of STTR Programs within the Federal Government.
1.3.2 Program Funding. The current law authorizes agencies participating in the STTR Program to
expend with small business concerns not less than 0.15 percent of their extramural Research/Research and
Development (R/R&D) budgets in FY 1999. The FY 1999 NASA STTR Program budget is approximately
$5.6M.
1.3.3 STTR Program Phases. The NASA STTR Program consists of the following three
phases:
Phase-I. The purpose of Phase-I is to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit
and feasibility of the proposed cooperative R/R&D effort, and the quality of the SBC’s performance with a
relatively small NASA investment before consideration of further Federal support in Phase-II. NASA
funding for each Phase-I contract is limited to $100,000. Contractors have up to 12 months to submit their
final report. Successful completion of Phase-I objectives is a prerequisite to Phase-II consideration.
Phase-II. The objective of Phase-II is to continue the R/R&D effort from Phase-I. Only SBCs
awarded Phase-I contracts are eligible for Phase-II STTR funding agreements, and only at the Federal
agency which awarded the Phase-I project. Awards will be based on the scientific, technical, and
commercial merit and feasibility of the idea, as evidenced by the first phase, and by other relevant
information. Funding for each Phase-II contract will be limited to $500,000. Contractors have up to 24
months to complete the effort and submit their final report.
Phase-III. NASA may award Phase-III contracts for products or services, with non-STTR funds.
Phase-I and Phase-II awards satisfy the requirements of the Competition in Contracting Act for subsequent
NASA Phase-III contracting. The small business is also expected to use non-Federal capital to pursue
private sector applications of the R/R&D effort.
1.4 Program Eligibility
Each offeror submitting a proposal must qualify as a SBC for R/R&D purposes at the
time of award. The SBC will submit a proposal for cooperative research and development as
defined in Section 2 of this solicitation. For both Phase- I
and Phase-II, the R/R&D work must be performed in the United States.
1.5 Access to NASA STTR Program Information
1.5.1 Questions About This Solicitation. To ensure fairness, questions relating to the intent and/or
content of research topics in this Solicitation cannot be answered during the Phase-I Solicitation period
beginning March 2, 1999 and ending May 14, 1999. Only questions requesting clarification of Solicitation
instructions and administrative matters will be answered.
1.5.2 Questions Regarding Proposal Status. Evaluation and selection of proposals will require about
three months after the closing date of May 14, 1999. Information about proposal status will not be available
until final selections are announced. However, an acknowledgment of proposal receipt will be e-mailed
within 14 days of the closing date (Section 6.4).
1.5.3 Other Means of Contacting NASA STTR.
Each of the field centers has its own homepage including
strategic planning and Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and STTR information. Please consult
these homepages for more details on the technology requirements within the topic areas.
1) Help Line. All inquiries, requests, and help-related questions may be made by :
telephone (301)-937-0888 between 8:00am-5:00pm (Mon.-Fri., EST), or
facsimile (301)-937-0204, or
email sttr@reisys.com
Regardless of the Help Line method used, the requestor must provide the name and telephone number of the person to contact, the organization name and address, and the specific questions or requests.
2) NASA STTR Program Manager. Specific information requests that could not be answered by the Help Line should be mailed to:
Paul Mexcur, Program Manager
NASA SBIR/STTR Program Management Office
Building 3, Room 108, Code 710
Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD 20771-0001