Stimulating Innovation and the U.S. Economy through U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program 2011 National SBIR/STTR Fall Conference, New Orleans, LA November 6 - 9, 2011 • SBIR is key element of DOT’s R&D Program that addresses high priority research gaps • Research topics are developed to align with Secretary LaHood’s strategic priorities and SBA guidance (manufacturing and energy efficiency/renewable energy) while also incorporating specific modal priorities – Distracted driving – Rail safety – “Green” technologies 2 Clockwise from top: distraction.gov image, Wikimedia commons image, Volpe Center photo. How SBIR Supports the Mission of DOT Snapshot of participation in U.S. DOT’s SBIR Program by Operating Administration Federal Aviation Administration* Federal Highway Administration Federal Railroad Administration Federal Transit Administration Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Research and Innovative Technology Administration/ITS Joint Program Office** Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety Administration Maritime Administration St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation 2008 -X X X X X 2009 -X X X X X 2010 X X X X X X 2011 -X X X X X -X X X X X X X --- --- --- --- *Excused by Legislation: FAA contributed to the U.S. DOT’s SBIR Program from 1985 to 2005. **The Research and Innovative Technology Administration administers the SBIR Program through the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. 3 2012 Solicitation Schedule • 2012.1 Solicitation – 2012.1 Solicitation Opens – 2012.1 Solicitation Closes – Completed Technical Evaluations & Recommendations for Award Due – Awards Processed • February 13, 2012 February - March 2012 2012.2 Solicitation – – – – – Call for topics distributed to DOT agencies Topic descriptions due to the SBIR Program Office 2012.2 Solicitation Opens 2012.2 Solicitation Closes Completed Technical Evaluations & Recommendations for Award Due – Awards Processed 4 October 11, 2011 December 12, 2011 January 9, 2012 February 24, 2012 April 2, 2012 June 5, 2012 July 16, 2012 August/Sept. 2012 12.1 Solicitation Research Topics Topic Number & Title Federal Highway Administration 12.1-FH1 Coating Existing Concrete Barriers to Reduce Rollover Potential 12.1-FH2 Fast Real Time Positioning using GNSS Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 12.1-FM1 Communicating Towed unit (Trailer) Vehicle Identification Number(s) (VIN) to the Powered Unit 12.1-FM2 Innovative Solutions to Effectively Enforce Anti-texting Rules on Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMV) Drivers Federal Railroad Administration 12.1-FR1 Locomotive Engine Exhaust Emissions Reduction Technology 12.1-FR2 Electronically Controlled Pneumatic Brake System Adaptor Development 12.1-FR3 Advanced Locomotive Energy Storage System Federal Transit Administration/Research and Innovative Technology Administration 12.1-FT/RT1 Improved Transit Rider Experience Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration Focus area 1 12.1-PH1Seal Sensor Network for Point-of-Source Leak Detection Focus area 2 12.1-PH1Pipeline Systems with Integrated Health Monitoring Focus area 3 12.1-PH1Study, Develop and Demonstrate a Multi-channel Insert and Assembly for Cased Pipelines Maximum Number of Anticipated Awards Estimated Award Amount Phase I Estimated Award Amount Phase II $150K $150K $1M $750K $150K $600K 1 $150K $600K 1 1 $150K $150K $700K $700K 1 $150K $700K 2 $103K $750K $150K $800K 2 1 1 3 http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir 5 DOT Solicitation Process • Solicitations are posted on the website at http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir and FedBiz Ops • Requests for clarifications/questions on research topics can be submitted to the Program Office staff • Submission of proposals via secured website is a requirement • Recommendations for award are posted on website approximately 10-12 weeks after Solicitation is closed • Program Office does not accept unsolicited proposals 6 Phase I Proposal Submission Process DO’S • Read the Solicitation and follow all the instructions for submission • Follow the procedures for requesting clarifications/questions on research topics • Submit your proposals early • Ensure your proposal aligns with the scope of the research topic • Check to ensure completed appendices are all included • Sign both technical and cost proposal • Provide qualifications for key personnel other than PI • Submit completed proposal via secure website • Obtain CCR and DUNs numbers prior to proposal submission 7 Phase I Proposal Submission Process DON’TS • Proposals will not be accepted via email • Do not send duplicate proposals • The Program Office will not provide guidance on whether or not your company should submit a proposal • Requests for extensions will not be approved • Create arbitrary overhead, indirect or profit rates, be ready to provide the Government evidence and rationale to support the rate(s) • Wait until the deadline to submit your proposal 8 DOT SBIR Program – Proposal Evaluation Process – Phase I • Evaluation teams are established for each research topic • Teams are comprised of 3 federal employees who are subject matter experts (SMEs) • Teams have 60 days to complete evaluations and submit to the Program Office • Four evaluation factors: – Scientific and Technical Merit – Adequacy of the Work Plan – Qualifications of the Investigators – Adequacy of the Supporting Staff and Facilities • Award Process – 8-10 weeks from receipt of completed evaluations and recommendations for award 9 SBIR Program - Goals for FY 2012 • Greater emphasis on commercialization – re-engineered Phase II proposal requirements and evaluation criteria • Collaborate with NIST MEP on Phase II, II B projects when appropriate • Pilot Phase IIB Bridge Financing Program to further accelerate commercialization of program’s innovations • Expedite processing of Phase II contracts by using various contract types • Establish a pilot SBIR Technology Transfer (TT) approach that optimizes commercialization potential while expanding Federal TT • Be poised to implement policy/process changes resulting from impending SBIR Reauthorization 10 Opportunities outside of DOT SBIR Program • • • • University Transportation Center Program – http://utc.dot.gov Transportation Research Board – http://www.trb.org Fed Biz Ops – http://www.fbo.gov DOT/Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization – http://www.osdbu.dot.gov • Challenge.gov • Check DOT agency websites for BAAs, RFIs and other research opportunities 11 U.S. DOT SBIR Contact Information Leisa Moniz, Program Director Leisa.moniz@dot.gov 617.494.3793 Linda Duck, Program Office Analyst Linda.duck@dot.gov 617.494.3435 Don MacGee, Program Contracting Officer Donald.MacGee@dot.gov 617.494.2803 http://www.volpe.dot.gov/sbir 12