|
| Now Available – 3rd Quarter 2008 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter | The Electronic Library now features the 3rd Quarter 2008 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter (see the SBIR/STTR Advantage folder). The front-page article relates to Space Photonics Inc., located in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Responding to an Air Force SBIR requirement for high-speed interconnects for space, Space Photonics developed fiber optics technology that supported the International Space Station mission.
In the SBIR Update section, Stephen Guilfoos, Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Manager, has provided an article titled, "Bottom Line on SBIR Technology Transition – It is much more than just the technology!"
The SBIR Spotlight section focuses on two firms with SBIR accomplishments. Anautics, Inc., located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, was recognized at the 2008 SBIR/STTR National Spring Conference in Orlando, Florida, as the Air Force SBIR Phase II Showcase winner. Ceramatec, Inc., located in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a longstanding SBIR and STTR participant, is highlighted for reaching the point in experience and expertise where it had the opportunity to expand its business enterprise. Ceramatec was acquired by the Coors Family, also owner of CoorsTek, Inc.
"SBIR Sally" again appears on page 3, this time providing information about the SBIR Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP). | 7/16/2008 | View |
| Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Technology highlighted in Boundless Corporation Success Story | The Air Force has a growing need for clean, high quality ground power to operate electric vehicles, hybrid-electric vehicles, and electric equipment. In response to this SBIR need, Boundless Corporation (Boulder, Colorado) developed lithium-ion battery modules which can support a wide variety of vehicles and promise dramatic increases in performance, reliability, and life-cycle cost. In January 2008, Boundless delivered a lithium-ion battery pack for an electric munitions loader used at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia.
Warner Robins Air Logistics Center is the technical project office for this SBIR contract. The full success story may be viewed in the Electronic Library. Look for the Transition Folder success story titled "Advanced Lithium-Ion Battery Pack Technology." | 7/9/2008 | View |
| Toyon Research Corporation develops Tri-Band, Global Positioning System (GPS)-Friendly Telemetry Antenna | Responding to a SBIR requirement managed by the Air Force Flight Test Center, Toyon Research Corporation, located in Goleta, California, developed an antenna that enables “shift on the fly” between three telemetry bands. The antenna is capable of operation at lower L-band, upper L-band, and S-band telemetry frequencies simultaneously. This allows greater flexibility in placement of telemetry antennas on flight test aircraft.
Visit the Electronic Library to read the full SBIR innovation success story, titled "Tri-Band, Global Positioning System (GPS)-Friendly Telemetry Antenna." The Air Force Flight Test Center, Edwards AFB, California, is the technical project office for this SBIR contract. | 7/3/2008 | View |
| United Solar Ovonic Success Story on Lightweight and High-Efficiency Solar Cells | United Solar Ovonic, LLC, located in Auburn Hills, Michigan, has developed UNI-SOLAR® space photovoltaic (PV) products that offer an ultralight, low-cost alternative to conventional space PV modules made of crystalline silicon or gallium arsenide. The next generation solar arrays for Air Force missions need to be less expensive, lighter, and more stowable than those earlier used. The United Solar Ovonic solar cell technology will be incorporated into Air Force space and airship vehicles.
Go to the Electronic Library to read the full SBIR transition success story, titled "Lightweight and High-Efficiency Solar Cells for Airship and Space Applications." | 5/10/2008 | View |
| Cyber SPK, LLC, Develops Computer Code Inter-Host Intrusion Protection System | Cyber SPK, LLC, located in Nashua, New Hampshire, developed the Cyber SPK System Protection Kit, the first Inter-Host Intrusion Prevention System™ (IHIPS™). Cyber SPK Host Agents prevent attacks by blocking and terminating malicious computer code behavior, thereby preventing that code from running again at a later time. While this technology has now been proven for Windows desktops, servers, and other host systems, Cyber SPK can be ported to other environments, including secure embedded systems for the cockpit.
You may read the full SBIR innovation success story, titled "Defending Against Zero-Day Cyber Attacks with Inter-Host Intrusion Prevention System™," in the Electronic Library. | 4/25/2008 | View |
| Space Photonics Inc. Develops Components for International Space Station | The Air Force and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) need improved technologies for high-speed optical interconnects for space. Space Photonics Inc., located in Fayetteville, Arkansas, used the SBIR program to develop the fiber optics technology that was instrumental to its winning a contract to supply fiber optic components to the International Space Station (ISS). Space Photonics’ fiber optic transceivers provide the data link platforms’ backbone electronics and the ISS’s embedded fiber optic network.
The complete transition success story, titled "Fiber Optic Components Support International Space Station Mission," is posted in the Electronic Library. | 4/17/2008 | View |
| Composite Technology Development, Inc., Develops Linerless Composite Fuel Tanks | Composite Technology Development, Inc. (CTD), located in Lafayette, Colorado, used the Air Force SBIR program to develop the linerless composite fuel tanks that resolved a critical problem for a nanosatellite research satellite launch. The fuel tanks weighed 40% less, had 18% more volume, and 12 times the pressure capability of the aluminum tanks that they replaced. Markets such as space and aerospace, where weight is paramount, are embracing CTD’s tanks as an exciting new alternative.
This SBIR transition success story, titled "Linerless Composite Tanks Enable Nanosatellite Flight Launch Schedule," is posted in the Electronic Library. | 4/9/2008 | View |
| SBIR Innovation Success Story Highlights Advanced Science and Novel Technology Company | A SBIR Innovation Success Story concerning Advanced Science and Novel Technology Company (ADSANTEC), located in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, is now posted in
the Electronic Library. The story's title is "User-Programmable, Radiation Hardened, High-Speed Voltage Level Converter." As indicated in the story narrative, the Air Force had a requirement for universal programmable interfaces that can provide robust interconnect with a number of different input/output (I/O) devices. The ADSANTEC technology involves a novel concept for a single-chip universal electronic voltage level converter implemented in a radiation hardened-by-design SiGe process. These concepts, particularly the universal I/O devices, are being used to develop radiation tolerant (RT) products for NASA. | 4/7/2008 | View |
| Newly-Added MetroLaser and Space Mirco SBIR Innovation Stories | We recently added two SBIR innovation success stories to the Electronic Library. MetroLaser, Inc., located in Irvine, California, developed technology that is contained in the success story, "Flow Control for Enhanced Sensor Beam/Directed Energy (DE) Beam Quality." This technology includes a powerful aero-optical diagnostics tool that will enable AFRL to model, test, and analyze the effectiveness of flow control and adaptive optics techniques to correct for these effects. Potential Air Force applications exist in all forms of optical propagation through the atmosphere including communication, target designation, tracking, astronomy, and weather.
A second innovation story relates to Space Micro Inc., located in San Diego, California, titled "Improved Temperature Sensitive Paint (TSP) Successfully Used in Wind Tunnel Models." Space Micro’s newly-developed TSP process can eliminate low operating temperature limits associated with other paints. In addition to the use of TSP in high speed wind tunnels, it can benefit other defense agencies, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and aerospace companies in the development of high speed aircraft and spacecraft.
| 4/2/2008 | View |
| 2nd Quarter 2008 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter in Electronic Library | The Electronic Library now features the 2nd Quarter 2008 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter (see the SBIR/STTR Advantage folder). The front-page article is a success story concerning Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. (KBSI), College Station, Texas. Using SBIR funding, KBSI developed RampMap™, which is today the Air Force Materiel Command’s standard system for depot aircraft visualization and movement.
Two other small business firms appear in the SBIR Spotlight section: (1) Streamline Automation, LLC, Huntsville, Alabama, which focused its R&D talent on delivering a bushing assembly that significantly reduces the vibrational loads on the shaft of the angular displacement transducers located within a wind tunnel at the Aeropropulsion Systems Test Facility; and (2) UQM Technologies, Inc., Frederick, Colorado, which developed a drive motor featuring regenerative braking, advanced drive electronics and controls, and parking brake technologies.
On page 3 of the newsletter, "SBIR Sally" asks, "Do you know the purpose of SBIR/STTR Summary Reports? Do you know where to find these reports?"
| 3/29/2008 | View |
| Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. and UQM Technologies, Inc. Success Stories in Electronic Library | Visit the Electronic Library to view transition success stories relating to SBIR projects completed by Knowledge Based Systems, Inc. (KBSI), College Station, Texas, and UQM Technologies, Inc., Frederick, Colorado. The KBSI story is titled, "Real-Time Visibility of Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Assets." KBSI has developed RampMap™, a scaleable computer-based replacement for the manual methods commonly used to track and manage aircraft, ground support equipment, and other MRO assets.
The UQM story is titled, "Advanced Electric Vehicle Propulsion Technology." The demand for vehicles powered by electric drive technology is growing due to today’s more stringent requirements dealing with emissions, energy efficiency, and economics. The UQM SBIR project resulted in the development of a high power and low electromagnetic interference propulsion motor, a parking brake mounted to the output of the electric machine, electric vehicle control algorithms, and a lithium battery pack.
| 2/25/2008 | View |
| Streamline Automation Success Story on Vibration Control | The Electronic Library contains a SBIR transition success story concerning Streamline Automation, LLC, Huntsville, AL. The story title is "Improved Vibration Control for AEDC Wind Tunnel Testing" and relates to SBIR topic number AF04-291. Streamline Automation’s bushing device helps isolate the Angular Displacement Transducers (ADTs) from wind tunnel structural vibrations. | 2/12/2008 | View |
| 1st Quarter 2008 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter Available | Visit the Electronic Library to view the 1st Quarter 2008 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter. This issue has as its feature article a success story relating to Advanced Fuel Research's "Innovative Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) Imaging System." The SBIR Update section contains a discussion of "SBIR Workshops and Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) Transition Agents." An innovative SBIR technology produced by Janya Inc. and selected 2007 Tibbetts Awards' winners constitute the scope of the SBIR Spotlight. | 1/9/2008 | View |
| Janya Inc. Success Story on Event Extraction Technology | The Electronic Library has a success story concerning SBIR technology developed by Janya Inc. The technological innovation supports the automatic or semi-automatic analysis of large volumes of electronic information. Using machine learning, Semantex™ has been extended to detect nominal events, thereby greatly increasing the accuracy of event detection and enabling visualization of information from free text. | 11/21/2007 | View |
| ISTL, Inc. Success Story on Intelligent Agent Architecture (IAA) in Electronic Library | Visit the A Electronic Library to read a transition success story concerning ISTL's Intelligent Agent Architecture (IAA). The IAA tool enables users to quickly search gigabytes of data and generate electronic reports. Moreover, the tool will help with the inspection and maintenance of Air Force turbine engines. | 11/5/2007 | View |
| Guide for Writing Final Technical Reports | Posted in the Electronic Library is a "Guide for Writing Final Technical Reports" for use by all Small Businesses as a baseline for final report formats and writing techniques. | 10/26/2007 | View |
| 2007 SBIR/STTR Tibbetts Award Winners | Congratulations are in order for the 2007 Tibbetts Award winners. Named for Roland Tibbetts, the person acknowledged as the father of the SBIR program, these prestigious, national awards are made annually to those small firms, projects, organizations and individuals judged to exemplify the very best in SBIR achievement.
The following twenty small business firms, out of the fifty companies receiving Tibbetts organizational awards, have received Air Force SBIR/STTR contracts: Advanced Acoustics Concepts, Aptima Inc., Architecture Technology Corporation, Decisive Analytics Corporation, Intelligent Automation Inc., Kigre Inc., Minnesota Wire and Cable Company, NAVSYS Corporation, NVE Corporation, Optical Air Data Systems LLC, Orbital Research Inc., QED Technologies International Inc., Southwest Sciences Inc., The Design Knowledge Company, Touchstone Research Laboratory Inc., Trident Systems Inc., TRS Technologies, Vidacare Inc., WetStone Technologies, and Wright Materials Research Company.
Among the individual award winners is Marvin L. Gale, then serving as the SBIR Program Manager in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Materials and Manufacturing Directorate. Marvin was recognized for "his unending program management commitment to make the SBIR program . . . a very credible acquisition alternative and an efficiently managed process during his ongoing tenure of ten years." Marvin is currently assigned to the Propulsion Directorate. | 10/9/2007 | View |
| 4th Quarter 2007 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter in Electronic Library | The Electronic Library now contains the 4th Quarter Advantage Newsletter. Within this issue is a feature article relating to how a CSA Engineering, Inc. technology supported a space vehicle launch from Cape Canaveral. The SBIR Spotlight section has highlights concerning a Flow Parametrics' design tool for fuel injections in turbine engines as well as Lumidigm's receipt of a "R&D 100 Award" for its work relative to biometric fingerprint sensors. The Air Force Update article on "SBIR and Technology Transition," together with the "SBIR Sally Says" bit of wisdom, round out the newsletter content. | 10/6/2007 | View |
| Dolphin Technology success story on electronic file inspection application | A success story concerning Dolphin Technology's innovation electronic file inspection application, known as PuriFile®, is now posted within the Electronic Library. PuriFile not only identifies critical metadata hidden within commonly used files, but also reveals other hidden information placed in applications either accidentally or maliciously. This product is highly configurable, allowing easy introduction into a variety of different environments. | 9/25/2007 | View |
| E-mail Alert - We recently discovered that our Air Force SBIR e-mail address is being used by a SPAMmer. We do not condone such activity and we want to assure you that whoever is mis-using our SBIR | We recently discovered that our Air Force SBIR e-mail address is being used by a SPAMmer. We do not condone such activity and we want to assure you that whoever is mis-using our SBIR office e-mail address is doing so without our permission. Please ignore any e-mails that appear to be SPAM from our e-mail address. | 9/20/2007 | View |
| Advanced Fuel Research's SBIR success story on Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) breakthrough | Contained within the Innovation Success Stories folder of the Electronic Library is a story titled "Innovative Thermal Barrier Coating (TBC) Imaging System." Advanced Fuel Research, Inc. responded to an Air Force requirement by developing a long wavelength infrared (LWIR) optical system to capture on-engine thermal images of high-speed TBC turbine blades. Advanced fighter jet engines that implement TBC to protect metal turbine blades can run hotter for more thrust and improved performance. | 9/4/2007 | View |
| Meet "SBIR Sally" – Our Newest Team Member | When you click the SBIR Sally Says link, you will find the latest tip and bit of wisdom on a topic of general interest to small businesses. The current tip relates to Five Year SBIR Data Rights. SBIR Sally made an appearance in the current Air Force SBIR/STTR Advantage newsletter issue in the Electronic Library, where she provides a one-sentence tip with the rest of the story on the Shopping Mall. | 7/30/2007 | View |
| 2nd & 3rd Quarters 2007 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter now in Electronic Library | Visit the Electronic Library to review the combined 2nd & 3rd Quarters 2007 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter. The feature article is a SBIR transition success story, titled "Automated Cost and Risk Tools Developed for Satellite Electro-optical Sensors," that highlights the accomplishments of Galorath Inc. The SBIR Spotlight continues with SBIR/STTR summary report excerpts from APES Inc., Weidlinger Associates Inc., and 21st Century Technologies Inc. Within the SBIR Update article on "The Evolving SBIR Program," Steve Guilfoos discusses the importance accorded to Phase III and associated commercialization efforts, and further introduces a new type of topic – the "critical" topic that will typically be PEO generated. | 7/26/2007 | View |
| 1st Quarter 2007 SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter features small businesses and the STTR program | Read the latest AF SBIR/STTR news in the 1st Quarter SBIR/STTR Advantage Newsletter, now posted in the Electronic Library. The Newsletter opens with a success story about Total Quality Systems, Inc.'s use of SBIR contracts to isolate intermittent faults in avionics Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) circuit connections and wiring. Engineering Software Research and Development, Inc. (ESRD) and Radant Technologies, Inc. are also recognized for their SBIR-developed technologies. This quarter's update article focuses on the STTR program. | 3/13/2007 | View |
| Small businesses and Tibbetts Award winners recognized in 4th Quarter 2006 SBIR Advantage Newsletter | Take a look at the 4th Quarter 2006 SBIR Advantage Newsletter, now posted in the Electronic Library. There are stories about the innovative achievements of The Design Knowledge Company, NOVA Engineering Co., and Windmill International, Inc. The Air Force SBIR Update section announces the upcoming retirement of Len Moore, a stalwart of the AF SBIR/STTR program. Under the News of Note section, several small businesses and Steve Guilfoos, the Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Manager, are recognized for being Tibbetts Award winners. | 12/4/2006 | View |
| New SBIR program improvements and revised SBIR/STTR success story program in 3rd Quarter SBIR Advantage | The 3rd Quarter 2006 SBIR Advantage Newsletter is now posted in the Electronic Library. MetroLaser, Inc., Mission Research Corporation, and Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation are recognized for their SBIR accomplishments. Further, there are are articles on "A New and Improved SBIR Program" and the "Revised SBIR/STTR Success Story Program." | 8/25/2006 | View |
| Air Force SBIR 07.1 Topic Pre-Release Now Available | The Air Force SBIR 07.1 Topic Pre-Release is now available via this site. Selected topics from these draft tentative AF topics will appear in the Air Force portion of the DoD SBIR Solicitation SY07.1. The solicitation opens on 6 Dec 2006. The purpose of this document is to provide small businesses with an advanced copy of the AF SBIR requirements. We encourage all small businesses to take this opportunity to discuss the technical aspects of these requirements with the AF technical point of contact (POC) for the sponsoring organization. It is anticipated that the additional insight will assist your company in preparing more competitive technical proposal(s). All companies are cautioned to check the DoD SBIR Solicitation 07.1 when issued, as topics may have been added, deleted or modified after publication on this page. Disclaimer: These draft topics have not yet been approved and only the approved topics will appear in the SBIR DoD pre-solicitation published 6 Nov 2006 on the DoD website. The formal DoD SBIR solicitation will open on 6 Dec 2006.
You may view these draft tentative topics and the information related thereto under the SBIR Topic Pre-Release link on the home page. | 8/16/2006 | View |
| SBIR 06.3 DoD Solicitation issued for public release | The DoD SBIR 06.3 solicitation has been pre-released DoD SBIR. During the pre-release period, which ends on September 12, you may contact the topic authors directly (contact information is listed with the topic) to ask technical questions about specific solicitation topics. The DoD will begin accepting proposals on September 13, 2006 and will close to proposals on October 13, 2006 at 6am EST. Plan ahead and submit your proposal early to avoid the risk of website inaccessibility due to heavy usage on the final day. | 8/1/2006 | View |
| Air Force FY2006.3 SBIR Topic Pre-Release now available | The Air Force SBIR office will be participating in the FY 2006.3 solicitation with up to 11 topics. There will be special instructions for proposals for these 11 topics when they are published in the formal DOD FY2006.3 solicitation (see www.dodsbir.net web site in early August). Any of these topics may or may not be in the formal solicitation and we maintain the right to reword these topics as we deem necessary for the formal solicitation.
You may view these draft tentative topics and the information related thereto under the SBIR Topic Pre-Release link on the home page. | 6/21/2006 | View |
| The spotlight shines on small business firms in the 2nd Quarter 2006 SBIR Advantage | The 2nd Quarter 2006 SBIR Advantage Newsletter can now be viewed in the Electronic Library. Within this newsletter issue, four firms are in the spotlight because of their superlative achievements. They include: Impact Technologies, LLC; Caviton, Inc.; Bevilacqua Research Corporation; and Advanced Fuel Research. Complementing these firms' stories are articles on the Small Business Technology program, titled "STTR – A Closer Look," and some interesting technical features on the Air Force SBIR/STTR Virtual Shopping Mall. | 6/4/2006 | View |
| Read about "2006 – Building on Momentum" in the 1st Quarter 2006 SBIR Advantage | The 1st Quarter 2006 SBIR Advantage Newsletter is now available. The feature article, "2006 – Building on Momentum," addresses opportunities and challenges facing SBIR and STTR programs this year. Although the Air Force increased the number of SBIR topics in its FY2006 solicitation, inflation limits the amount of technology that can be bought per dollar. In addition to the feature article, "Optimizing the Use of SBIR/STTR Summary Reports" is the theme of the Tech Issues section. Look for this newsletter in the Electronic Library. | 3/4/2006 | View |
| 4th Quarter 2005 SBIR Advantage Newsletter now in Electronic Library | The 4th Quarter 2005 SBIR Advantage Newsletter is now posted within in the Electronic Library. The feature article, "Raising the Bar: The Air Force Phase II Enhancement Program – Revisited," discusses the modification of the enhancement process to bring it more in concert with the needs of the Air Force. In the Tech Issues article (p. 2), small businesses can read about the Shopping Mall's new look and the increased capabilities now available. | 12/1/2005 | View |
| 3rd Quarter 2005 SBIR Advantage Newsletter now in Electronic Library | The 3rd Quarter 2005 SBIR Advantage Newsletter is now posted within in the Electronic Library. The feature article, "SBIR and STTR Outreach to Small Businesses," discusses the payoff of years of outreach efforts (e.g., better proposals being submitted and a highly competitive proposal selection environment as a result). In the Tech Issues article (p. 2), small businesses can read about the recently added feature within the Small Business Area of the Shopping Mall which allows firms to submit draft Impact and Transition success stories online. Impact/Transition stories are a great way to publicize your SBIR/STTR accomplishments. | 9/29/2005 | View |
| Air Force SBIR 06.1 Topic Pre-Release Now Available | The Air Force SBIR 06.1 Topic Pre-Release is now available via this site.
Selected topics from these draft tentative AF topics will appear in the Air Force portion of the DoD SBIR Solicitation SY06.1. The solicitation opens on 13 Dec 2005. The purpose of this document is to provide small businesses with an advanced copy of the AF SBIR requirements. We encourage all small businesses to take this opportunity to discuss the technical aspects of these requirements with the AF technical point of contact (POC) for the sponsoring organization. It is anticipated that the additional insight will assist your company in preparing more competitive technical proposal(s). All companies are cautioned to check the DoD SBIR Solicitation 06.1 when issued, as topics may have been added, deleted or modified after publication on this page.
Disclaimer: These draft topics have not yet been approved and only the approved topics will appear in the SBIR DoD pre-solicitation published 1 Nov 2005 on the DoD website. The formal DoD SBIR solicitation will open on 13 Dec 2005. | 8/15/2005 | View |
| Fall National SBIR/STTR Conference November 14-17, 2005 | Registration is now open for the upcoming Fall National SBIR/STTR Conference
in Albany, NY, November 14 - 17, 2005. The registration site for the conference is:
http://www.SBIRworld.com/Albany
| 7/28/2005 | View |
| SBIR Workshop scheduled for the 2005 ML Roadmap Review | Your small business is invited to attend the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/ML) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Day as part of 2005 ML Roadmap Review. The workshop will be held 14 July 2005, 8:30-4:00, at the Dayton Convention Center. From 8:30-11:30, the presentations are focused to assist small businesses in selling both research and products to the government. The day will culminate with an interaction session with AFRL/ML technical experts concerning the Draft FY06 SBIR Topics*. Technical experts will represent their topics at the ML Core Technology Area displays starting at 1:00.
The primary goal of this event is to enable technical interaction time between the topic authors and small businesses for the following list of FY06 SBIR topics. These topics should be included in the FY06.1 SBIR solicitation opening in early October, assuming approval through the DoD review process. During the entire Roadmap Review copies of the draft topics will be available in the lobby. Copies are not currently available due to security reviews.
Also invited to the afternoon interaction session are organizations such as other AFRL technical directorate SBIR Program Managers, the AFRL Small Business Office, the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) Dayton Office, the AF Technology Transfer Program, the Ohio Department of Development, and the Edison Materials Technology Center. These organizations, and possibly others, will be available to answer questions concurrently with the topic interactions from 1:00-4:00.
I encourage you to participate in this event. It is free of charge but registration is required. You can do this on-line at www.utcdayton.com or on-site. I also would encourage you to attend the entire Roadmap Review from 12-14 July to get a broader perspective of the core technology areas managed by the Materials & Manufacturing Directorate. Information regarding the entire Roadmap Review and SBIR Day agenda is available at the above web site. If you have any questions regarding the ML SBIR Day, please contact me at (937) 255-4839.
MARVIN GALE
AFRL/ML SBIR Program Manager
*NOTE: Until the final DoD Review is completed in late September, all topics are considered DRAFT. Small businesses must check the final solicitation, www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir/ in October, to ensure that a particular topic was approved
| 7/14/2005 | View |
| Updated Report Submittals Section | Updated guidance (now contained in the Report Submittals section of the Air Force Shopping Mall) is especially pertinent to small businesses that have SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II awards with the Air Force. We recently made some substantive improvements to the way that small businesses make summary report submissions as well as Impact/Transition Story candidate submissions. In essence, we have advanced forward, using as full an electronic approach as possible. These enhancements are intended to improve and streamline administrative processing for all concerned.
Summary Reports. If you are a small business with a contractual requirement to submit a summary report on a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR award, you must now initiate such submission within the Small Business Area under a newly designed ‘Summary Reports’ feature. In essence, whereas summary reports were previously submitted by using a ‘Summary Submittal’ feature (that is no longer active), these reports are now submitted by using the new ‘Summary Reports’ link in the Small Business Area. The new and improved electronic submission process resembles the previous process in many ways, except that we have now made it easier for you to prepare a draft and final summary report.
Here are some of the highlights of the new ‘Summary Reports’ feature. Once you select your SBIR/STTR topic, proposal number, and type of report (e.g., Phase II Final), the electronic form will have multiple fields populated with data imported from the award abstract database. For instance, directly above the Summation and Anticipated Benefits text boxes are the narratives from the Phase I or Phase II abstract, as applicable. Since a summary report is essentially an “updated proposal abstract,” you can easily copy-and-paste selected portions of the abstract narrative into the input text boxes for updating and editing. Then, on an optional basis, you may attach a digital photograph or graphic to enhance the appearance of your summary report. Along with improving the method by which summary reports are submitted, we have similarly streamlined the tracking and approval process for summary report management within the Air Force SBIR/STTR community. Notwithstanding these enhanced business practices, the overall objective of the summary report process remains the same – to enhance your ability to market your SBIR/STTR technology and thereby increase opportunities for Phase III commercialization.
Impact/Transition Stories. As it turned out, we got an earlier start on the Impact/Transition Story submission process and some of you may have already used this electronic feature. It is located within the Small Business Area under the ‘Impact/Transition Story Submittal’ link. Within the Report Submittals section, we have made a more complete explanation as to what is involved with the Impact/Transition Story submission process. Just as we discuss the various data input fields in the Summary Report instructions, we provide a similar level of detail concerning the data fields relative to an Impact/Transition Story submission. Since only a limited number of personnel in a small business firm normally have access to the password-protected Small Business Area, we decided to put a broader level of instructional detail within the publicly-accessible Report Submittals section of the Mall.
So, please take a few minutes to scan through the updated Report Submittals section. Please direct any questions to Dr. Larry Mortsolf, Shopping Mall Manager, at (937) 258-0217 x326 or e-mail Info@sbirsttrmall.com.
| 6/25/2005 | View |
| Shopping Mall's "New Look" | If you are a regular AF Shopping Mall customer, you probably notice something different about the website. We decided that it was time for a "new look," in terms of graphical design. However, with respect to user navigation, there is no learning curve. The menu layout is essentially the same, and the content is still where it was before. In fact, navigation among the various web pages should be easier since the left columnar menu appears with each of the web page features (e.g., Technology Mall). We hope that you like the new look and feel. | 3/22/2005 | View |
| Read about ongoing SBIR program initiatives in 1st Quarter 2005 SBIR Advantage | The 1st Quarter 2005 SBIR Advantage Newsletter is now available for viewing in the Electronic Library. In the feature article titled "2005, A New Year, a Year of Change, a Year of Growth...," you can read about the healthy state of Air Force SBIR and STTR programs. Further, this article highlights various changes and initiatives (e.g., web-based automated proposal evaluation) that are under development. Within the SBIR Tech Issues section, there is some good advice on how to find the right SBIR/STTR technology, principally by utilizing the many capabilities currently available in the keyword search routine. Finally, there is a chart relating to Phase I and II award statistics, and an Air Force SBIR Transition Story concerning a new coating process developed by Microphase Coatings Inc. | 2/5/2005 | View |
| STTR 05 Solicitation issued for public release | The DoD STTR 2005 solicitation has been pre-released at http://www.dodsbir.net/solicitation. During the pre-release period, which ends on March 14, you may contact the topic authors directly (contact information is listed with the topic) to ask technical questions about specific solicitation topics. The DoD will begin accepting proposals on March 15, 2005 and will close to proposals on April 15, 2005 at 6am EST. Plan ahead and submit your proposal early to avoid the risk of website inaccessibility due to heavy usage on the final day. | 2/1/2005 | View |
| Electronic Library contains Windmill International, Inc. SBIR Transition Story on Ultra-lite Satellite Receive System | Windmill International, Inc., Nashua, New Hampshire has recently developed an innovative SBIR technology. The company's success story is now posted in the SBIR Transition Stories folder within the Electronic Library. The title is "Ultra-lite Satellite Receive System Gives Special Forces Access to Battleground Intelligence." We invite you to read about this R&D technology which will decrease the size and increase the portablility of receiver units aimed at supporting fast moving front line combat units.
Success stories like this one represent examples of Air Force supported SBIR technologies that have transitioned into an Air Force or other DoD system or subsystem, or are used by Air Force test ranges and facilities or maintenance depots. In addition to Transition Stories, we further have an Impact Stories folder within the Electronic Library. | 12/16/2004 | View |
| 4th Quarter SBIR Advantage Newsletter Now in Electronic Library | Look in the Electronic Library for the recently published 4th Quarter 2004 SBIR Advantage Newsletter. This Newsletter's theme article is titled, "Technology Transition: the Who, the What, and the Why." The ensuing discussion highlights technology transition roles and issues, as well as the importance of a small business linkage with the prime contractor and its chain of suppliers. Further, within the SBIR Tech Issues section, there is a brief discussion and illustration of the Air Force Shopping Mall initiative of displaying AF SBIR and STTR pre-release topics prior to their being posted on the DoD SBIR/STTR solicitation website. | 11/19/2004 | View |
| Air Force 05 STTR Topic Pre-Release Available | The Air Force 05 Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Topic Pre-Release is now available via this Shopping Mall site.
Selected topics from these draft tentative AF topics will appear in the Air Force portion of the DoD STTR Solicitation 05, which will open on 15 Mar 2005. The purpose of this pre-release document is to provide small businesses with an advanced copy of the AF STTR requirements. We encourage all small businesses to take this opportunity to discuss the technical aspects of these requirements with the AF technical point of contact (POC) for the sponsoring organization. It is anticipated that the additional insight will assist your company in preparing more competitive technical proposal(s). All companies are cautioned to check the DoD STTR Solicitation 05 when issued, as topics may have been added, deleted or modified after publication on this page.
Disclaimer: These draft topics have not yet been approved and only the approved topics will appear in the STTR DoD pre-solicitation published 1 Feb 2005 on the DoD SBIR/STTR website. The formal DoD STTR solicitation will open on 15 Mar 2005.
As a related matter, the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) 05.1 topics (which were previously posted to this Shopping Mall site in pre-release format) now appear on the DoD SBIR/STTR website. | 11/1/2004 | View |
| 3rd Quarter 2004 SBIR Advantage Newsletter in Electronic Library | Visit the Electronic Library to view the recently published 3rd Quarter 2004 SBIR Advantage Newsletter. The primary feature is "Making the Connection?" -- a discussion of how the Air Force SBIR/STTR Virtual Shopping Mall can assist various stakeholders and facilitate the commercialization process. This quarter's SBIR Tech Issues section highlights the Small Business Profile, which provides a way for a small business to display its mission summary and company logo. Finally, there are some feedback statements from small businesses relating to how they benefited from SBIR opportunities. | 8/16/2004 | View |
| Air Force 05.1 Topic Pre-Release Now Available | The Air Force 05.1 Topic Pre-Release is now available via this site.
Selected topics from these draft tentative AF topics will appear in the Air Force portion of the DoD SBIR Solicitation SY05.1. The solicitation opens on 15 Dec 2004. The purpose of this document is to provide small businesses with an advanced copy of the AF SBIR requirements. We encourage all small businesses to take this opportunity to discuss the technical aspects of these requirements with the AF technical point of contact (POC) for the sponsoring organization. It is anticipated that the additional insight will assist your company in preparing more competitive technical proposal(s). All companies are cautioned to check the DoD SBIR Solicitation 05.1 when issued, as topics may have been added, deleted or modified after publication on this page.
Disclaimer: These draft topics have not yet been approved and only the approved topics will appear in the SBIR DoD pre-solicitation published 1 Nov 2004 on the DoD website. The formal DoD SBIR solicitation will open on 15 Dec 2004. | 8/5/2004 | View |
| New Feature -- Small Business Mission Summary and Logo | [NOTE: Due to procedural changes made since this news item was initially written, please follow the procedures on "Mission Summary Submissions" within the Report Submittals section of the Shopping Mall. The Shopping Mall Manager, 15 Sep 2005]
The Air Force announces the availability of a new informational feature that publicizes the corporate identity of SBIR/STTR firms within its Virtual Shopping Mall. The goal of the Shopping Mall, which initially opened for business in January 2004, is to increase the commercialization potential of technologies developed under SBIR/STTR programs.
We invite SBIR/STTR firms to submit a mission summary and company logo to be added to their Firm/Small Business Profile. Air Force SBIR/STTR award winners’ profile information is displayed in the Tech Mall portion of the site. Whenever a Shopping Mall customer views a firm’s SBIR/STTR award abstracts and summary reports, additional company profile information can be found by selecting the company name hyperlink (i.e., address, URL, summary, and logo). All firms registered on the DoD SBIR/STTR Submission website (including non-Air Force awardees) can opt to have their mission summary and company logo included in the "Small Business Listing" on the site.
Your firm’s mission summary should consist of a brief synopsis, with key words, that reflects your core competencies and major product categories. A well-written summary can effectively highlight your firm’s proficiencies to DoD acquisition offices, prime contractors, major subcontractors, and prospective partners. An example of a Firm Profile mission summary and logo may be found within the Report Submittals section of the Air Force Shopping Mall.
How to Submit a Mission Summary and Logo
Submission of a corporate mission and logo is an optional opportunity, not a requirement. If your firm is registered on the DoD SBIR/STTR Submission website (http://www.dodsbir.net/submission), you may participate in this opportunity through a simple electronic form on the Shopping Mall website. The following steps apply:
- Go to the Air Force SBIR/STTR Virtual Shopping Mall.
- Click on "tech mall". (Second choice from the list on the left side of the screen.)
- Click on "Firm Log-in" displayed in the upper right of the Tech Mall section. Enter the first few letters of your firm name to locate and select your company from the list of registered firm. Then use the same password you use for the DoD SBIR/STTR Submission website.
- The Firm Profile form displays your firm-related information that resides on the DoD SBIR/STTR Submission site. To add your mission summary and logo, click the "Edit" hyperlink. Then, type your 2-4-sentence mission summary in the text box provided. The text narrative is limited to 650 characters/spaces (or approximately 100 words). To attach your company logo, use the browse attachment feature to locate the jpg, gif, or tif file on your computer to upload. [Note: For best results, please use one of the following file formats when uploading a logo: (1) GIF (without transparency) or (2) JPEG (only RGB color mode). Users may upload other image formats (like PNG or BMP or TIF), but results are not guaranteed. Logos embedded in MS Word or PowerPoint documents will not display properly.]
- Select the appropriate option to indicate if your firm's mission summary and company logo will be included in the Small Business Listing.
- After clicking the "Save" hyperlink, your mission summary and logo will be displayed. You may return to the Firm Profile form for subsequent review/editing or Log Out (in upper right) to return to the Virtual Shopping Mall main page.
- To see the corporate mission and logo of firms like you who have provided one, select "Small Business Listing" from the "N" navigate menu in the lower left of the main page. Firms are listed in alphabetical order.
Questions/Further Information
If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Larry Mortsolf, Shopping Mall Manager, at (937) 258-0217 x326 or Info@sbirsttrmall.com.
| 7/7/2004 | View |
| SBIR Workshop scheduled for the 2004 ML Roadmap Review | I would like to take this opportunity to invite your small business to attend the Air Force Research Laboratory Materials and Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/ML) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Workshop as part of 2004 ML Roadmap Review. The workshop will be held 15 July 2004, 1:00-3:30, at the Dayton Convention Center. During this workshop, small businesses will be able to talk one on one with AFRL/ML technical experts concerning the Draft FY05 SBIR Topics*.
The purpose of the workshop is to provide technical information relating to the upcoming FY05 SBIR topics (titles following) that are currently proposed to be included in the FY05.1 SBIR solicitation opening in early October. During the first two days of the Roadmap Review draft topics will be available, and sign-up sheets to talk with the topic authors at the workshop are posted. Sign ups are also available the day of the workshop. Also invited are other AFRL technical directorate SBIR Program Managers, the AFRL Small Business Office, the Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) Dayton Office, the AF SBIR/STTR Program Managers, the AF Technology Transfer Program, the Ohio Department of Development, and the Edison Materials Technology Center. These organizations will be available to answer questions regarding their programs concurrently during the one on one sessions.
I encourage you to participate in this event that is free of charge. I also would encourage you to attend the entire Roadmap Review from 13-15 July to get a broader perspective of the core technology areas within the Materials & Manufacturing Directorate. You may obtain information on registration, schedule, etc. by visiting www.mlroadmap.utcdayton.com. If you have any questions regarding the ML SBIR Workshop, please contact me at (937) 255-4839.
MARVIN GALE
AFRL/ML SBIR Program Manager
* NOTE: Until the final DoD Review is completed in late September, all topics are considered draft. Small businesses must check the final solicitation, www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir/, to ensure that a particular topic was approved.
| 6/10/2004 | View |
| Air Force Virtual Mall Opens | The below announcement was sent by Steve Guilfoos, AF SBIR/STTR Program manager, to various e-mail distribution lists:
For the past two decades, the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs have stimulated research and development activity among small businesses, while providing the government innovative solutions to challenging technical and scientific problems. Thus, it is with great pride and honor that we announce a milestone event: the opening of the Air Force SBIR/STTR Virtual Shopping Mall on the World Wide Web.
www.sbirsttrmall.com
Our goal is to increase the commercialization potential of the technologies developed by our country’s small businesses under SBIR and STTR. We will increase the awareness for our military program offices, their prime contractors, and their chain of suppliers by providing ready access to basic information on our SBIR and STTR sponsored work.
The mall is a work in progress. This coming year, we will be adding “summary reports” on all of our active SBIR contracts. “Success stories” will also be encouraged whenever commercialization has been achieved. Next year, we will be adding information on our STTR contracts. Also in the future, we plan on providing “store fronts” for the military prime contractors so that the small businesses will be able to contact the right person the first time. And lastly, if the Air Force mall is successful in meeting your needs, we will be receptive to building new “mall concourses” for the other DOD components that manage SBIR and STTR programs.
Ultimately, the success of the shopping mall is dependent upon you, our customer. I would encourage you to book mark this web site and to provide your feedback on how we can make this mall more beneficial to you and your endeavors to find small business technologies.
Please feel free to submit comments and suggestions for improvements by e-mail (info@sbirsttrmall.com) or by calling 1-800-222-0336.
Your Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Management Team
| 1/21/2004 | View |
|