This bill would reauthorize and change the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. It removes some expiration language and extends related pilot programs and authorities through dates in 2030 and later. The bill raises required set-aside percentages for agency research budgets over time, creates fellowship and internship authority tied to Phase II awardees, expands outreach to underrepresented institutions and States, and adds new technical and business assistance rules. It adds requirements for agency websites and the SBIR/STTR database to list research subcontractors and the types of research institutions they are. It directs training for contracting officers about Phase III awards, requires the Department of Defense to report Phase III denials to the SBA, and asks each agency to designate a Technology Commercialization Official. The bill extends and expands pilot authorities such as direct-to-Phase II and commercialization readiness programs, directs the NIH to run a pilot to speed award processing, and creates new reporting and oversight tasks for agencies and the Comptroller General. It also adds safeguards about award eligibility for small businesses majority-owned by venture capital, private equity, hedge funds, or covered foreign entities, and updates definitions to include SBICs.
The bill's provisions are written to broaden participation in SBIR and STTR programs, improve commercialization of funded technologies, speed award processes (including an NIH pilot), increase transparency about research partners, provide new training for contracting staff, and add oversight and security safeguards for award eligibility.
No publicly available information.