Executive Summary
This notice identifies the objectives for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II projects, deadlines, funding information, eligibility criteria for projects and offerors, and instructions to submit a complete proposal package.
The NASA SBIR program focuses on transforming scientific discovery into products and services through innovations that have the potential for infusion into NASA programs and missions, the potential for commercialization into commercial markets, and a societal benefit. Unlike fundamental research, the NASA SBIR program supports small businesses in the creation of innovative, disruptive technologies and enables the application of research advancements from conception into the market.
Different from most other investors, the NASA SBIR Program funds early or "seed" stage research and development that has commercial potential. The program provides equity-free funding at the earliest stages of company and technology development.
NASA requests small businesses to submit a complete proposal package for the SBIR Program Phase II as follow-on work that originally started and will be completed under the fiscal year (FY) 2023 SBIR Phase I solicitation. Only small businesses that had an FY2023 NASA SBIR Phase I award are allowed to submit a proposal for Phase II under this solicitation.
The 2023 Phase II solicitation period for submission of proposal packages begins on December 18, 2023, and ends at 5 p.m. Eastern Time on February 2, 2024.
Note: If an offeror has received a no-cost extension on their Phase I contract, the original period of performance date of the contract applies as the deadline. Therefore, the new period of performance date is only an extension for Phase I deliverables and does not apply and cannot be used as the deadline to submit a Phase II Proposal.
NASA uses an electronic submission system called the Electronic Handbook (EHB) which can be found at https://sbir.gsfc.nasa.gov/submissions/login. All offerors must use the EHB for submitting their proposal package. The EHB guides firms through the steps for submitting a complete proposal package. All submissions are through a secure connection and most communication between NASA and the firm is through either the EHB or email via the helpdesk at agency-sbir@mail.nasa.gov. For more information see section 3.
The SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/senate-bill/4900/text) reauthorizes through FY2025 and modifies the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs.
The bill requires agencies with an SBIR or STTR program to assess the security risks presented by offerors with financial ties or obligations to certain foreign countries. The programs may not make awards to businesses with certain connections to foreign entities. See sections 1.1.1 Due Diligence Program to Assess Security Risks and 2.3.1 Disclosures of Foreign Affiliation or Relationships to Foreign Countries for additional details.
