Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act
Description
Reauthorizes the SBIR and STTR programs through 2031, increases security risk evaluations, and creates critical technology allocations.
Summary
What it does
This act reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through fiscal year 2031 while establishing new security risk evaluation requirements for applicant businesses. It requires federal agencies to limit the number of annual proposals a single business can submit and creates strategic breakthrough allocations to provide additional funding for small businesses in critical technology areas that secure matching funds. Additionally, the act expands training for the federal acquisition workforce regarding the commercialization phase of these programs and requires agencies to disclose the reasons for any application denials based on security concerns.
Who is affected
This act affects domestic small businesses conducting research and development with commercialization potential, particularly those applying for SBIR and STTR program awards. Federal agencies administering these programs, along with their contracting officers and acquisition workforce, are subject to new requirements regarding security risk evaluations and Phase III award training. Additionally, small businesses working in critical technology areas may be eligible for strategic breakthrough allocations if they demonstrate effective technology and secure matching funds.
Key provisions
- Reauthorization of SBIR and STTR programs. The act extends the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, along with related pilot initiatives, through fiscal year 2031.
- Enhanced security risk evaluations. Federal agencies must expand their assessment of security risks for small businesses applying for awards. If an application is denied for security reasons, the agency is required to provide the applicant with the basis for that decision.
- Limits on solicitation proposals. Each participating federal agency must establish a maximum number of Phase I and Phase II proposals that a single small business may submit during a fiscal year.
- Expanded workforce training for commercialization. The act increases training requirements for agency contracting officers and acquisition personnel specifically regarding Phase III awards, which focus on the commercialization of developed technologies.
- Strategic breakthrough allocations for critical technology. The legislation creates additional Phase II awards for small businesses working in critical technology areas that demonstrate effective technology and secure matching funds.
Fiscal impact
Not applicable: No CBO cost estimate available
Effective dates
The act reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs through the end of fiscal year 2031.
Relationship to existing law
This bill reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs through fiscal year 2031. It modifies these existing programs by expanding security risk evaluation requirements, establishing limits on the number of proposals a business may submit, and increasing training requirements for federal acquisition personnel.
Stated purpose
The bill aims to reauthorize and modify federal research and development award programs for small businesses while enhancing security risk evaluations and streamlining the commercialization of new technologies. It also seeks to support critical technology areas through new strategic breakthrough allocations and matching fund requirements.