 Resolved for 2013 A Riddle: What takes longer than anyone ever expects? Is insidiously difficult even for the most highly educated people? Will sabotage your SBIR/STTR submission in the final hours? When incorrectly done is never your fault but is in fact almost always your fault?
Answer: Registrations to submit SBIR/STTR proposals!
It never fails. No matter how much we beg, plead and cajole, we still have companies that start the process too late and/or don't pay enough attention to the details (and there are many!). The ramifications? Failure to submit!
Therefore we ask that you resolve for 2013 to do it right! Start early. Worry about details. Here's one detail- every agency has their own requirements, typically involving multiple individual registrations. And if that isn't bad enough 2013 is likely to see more registration requirements as changes from reauthorization are implemented.  To help you start the year off right we've provided you with a table that highlights the various registration requirements for 7 of the agencies. The agency names and registration types are hyperlinked to help you find the relevant information. Confused?? You likely will be. If so don't hesitate to contact us (WITH PLENTY OF TIME BEFORE THE DEADLINE) and we'll be happy to help. |
SBIR/STTR Reauthorization: Now what 
Did you think you were finally done with having to read about SBIR/STTR reauthorization now that the legislation has been passed? Not so fast... As we've written previously, the process of going from legislation to implementation is complex. Step one was legislation.
Step two involved the Small Business Administration drafting the rules and policies that define how the legislation must be implemented by the 11 agencies that participate in SBIR and
/or STTR. This was done in two separate documents, as described below, the second of which was published on December 27, 2012. - Small Business Innovation Research Program Policy Directive: This document describes the policies that govern the SBIR program with the exception of those covered in the size regulations. It was published on August 6, 2012 and effective upon publication. Public comments were requested through October 5, 2012. An updated version is expected to be published by the SBA sometime in the next 3 months.
- Small Business Size Regulations: SBIR and STTR: This document describes the eligibility rules for SBIR/STTR applicants as it pertains to size, ownership and control of the small business. It was published as a "final rule" on 12/27/12 and becomes effective on 1/28/2013.
Step three will involve the integration of the rules and policies by each agency as they release their upcoming 2013 solicitations. Note that some of the policies are at the agency's discretion, so it is highly likely that there will be differences as the various solicitations are released.
What do we recommend you do now? If you plan to submit SBIR/STTR proposals in 2013 it will be critical that you understand the changes to the size regulations since eligibility is "self-certified." Take some time to review the documents referenced above. If you have preliminary questions now, give us a call. If we can't answer them yet we'll work with you to help get the answers.
Most importantly - read the specific agency solicitation as soon as it is released because that will be the definitive document that you'll need to comply with. Contact the agency ASAP with any questions that you have. And contact us anytime if you want assistance in framing your questions and working through the process.
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NIH's FY'13 Budget: The Bottom Line (Not!)
The New Year brought an updated announcement from NIH, NOT-OD-13-018, regarding the status of their FY2013 budget. It is short and sweet - they are still operating under the continuing resolution signed into law on 9/28/2012 as described in their previous notice NOT-OD-13-002.
If you didn't read the initial notice take a quick look. Business as usual - or at least as it has been during the CRs of FY 2006-2012. What is the bottom line (no pun intended...)? It is that NIH doesn't yet know what their exact FY 2013 bottom line will be. Since federal agencies aren't allowed to spend more than their budget they must operate conservatively until they have an actual FY2013 budget.
What should you do? Write and submit the most competitive proposals that you possibly can! NIH is open for business. They are awarding grants. Make sure yours is the best one they get this year!
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 Confusing SBIR/STTR Reporting Procedures Take a Step toward Uniformity
By Kris Bergman, BBC Grants & Contracts Management Consultant
It seems fair that SBIR and STTR awardees should have to report to the government on the use of their grant and contract dollars. In the past, however, awardees - especially those with awards from multiple agencies - have been confronted with widely differing reporting requirements set by the 11 participating agencies. Each one has had its own reporting schedule, forms, and procedures. Things are looking up, though. In an effort to manage federal dollars in a more uniform manner, a new reporting system called the Research Performance Progress Report (RPPR) has been developed.
Timing of the RPPR implementation will be different for each agency (naturally!). The Dept. of Energy has already implemented RPPR. NIH expects to require its use for non-competing reporting starting in spring 2013, with full implementation in July 2013. NSF anticipates a January 2013 release, and DoD does not expect to release until 2014. All agency implementation plans are listed here. |
who we are
BBCetc is nationally recognized for its expertise in helping technology-based entrepreneurs to win federal grants and contracts through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs and to use that funding strategically to propel growth. BBC-assisted proposals have a success rate 2-3 times the national average across several federal agencies. Through training courses and one-on-one consulting, experienced BBC consultants guide client companies through the proposal preparation, grant management,  commercialization and business planning, and obtaining follow-on funding. For more information, email or call us at 734-930-9741.
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upcoming...
deadlines
training
SBIR/STTR 101: Introduction & Overview
Proposal Prep for NIH
Overview of SBIR/STTR Funding through DoD
Proposal Prep for NSF
Jan 16 - Tips on Electronic Submission to DoE
Jan 17 - ABC's of SBIR/STTR Funding
Feb 27 - Essentials of Commercialization Planning
Mar 7 - ABC's of SBIR/STTR Funding
Mar 14 - Tips on Electronic Submission to NIH
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Healthcare App Challenge
It's not SBIR, but it is an interesting funding opportunity for the right people. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is running a challenge in which winning software developers will receive $200,000 in cash awards to create game applications to improve personal and community health. The developer of the winning app will receive $100,000, the second place winner $50,000, and the third place winner will receive $25,000.The games challenge is the second in a series of app competitions sponsored by the Foundation through their Aligning Forces for Quality initiative. Hurry, the submission deadline for this challenge is Jan. 27. Click here for more information.
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Defense Medical Logistics Agency Vendor Days 2013
If your company is developing medical devices or services with potential interest in selling to the military, you may be interested in an upcoming series of events designed to help bring together companies developing novel medical devices with appropriate DoD procurement offices located on Fort Detrick in Frederick, Maryland.
Vendor Day 2013 is a series of dates that have been set aside for industry to exhibit medical equipment and supplies to multiple service organizations at one time. The purpose of the event is to help the services and their medical logistics agencies find products and technologies that may be applicable to an austere medical environment. Support is needed for medical units located on land, ships, and in challenging environmental conditions.
Participating agencies include:
* Defense Medical Materiel Program Office
* Army Medical Materiel Agency
* Naval Medical Logistics Command
* Air Force Medical Evaluation Support Activity
* Air Force Medical Logistics Office
* Marine Corp Systems Command
Vendor Days for 2013 will occur March 7, April 10, May 8, June 12, August 14, September 10, October 9 and November 13. They will take place at the Defense Medical Logistics Center at Fort Detrick Maryland. For more information, go to www.fdbdo.com/vendor-day-2013. |
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