U.S. Air Force Fact Sheet AIR FORCE SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH Click here for Air Force Small Business Technology Transfer Program   Managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program is designed to stimulate technology research by small businesses while providing the government with cost-effective technical and scientific solutions to challenging problems. SBIR also encourages small businesses to market SBIR technology in the private sector. The Air Force SBIR/STTR program has four principal objectives: 1. Stimulate technological innovation by small business. 2. Increase small business participation in meeting federal research and development (R&D) needs. 3. Increase the commercialization of technology developed through federal R&D. 4. Enhance outreach efforts to ensure that all qualified small businesses are aware of the SBIR program and the many benefits it provides. The SBIR program is a three-phase process that funds early-stage R&D conducted by small businesses. In Phase I, technology feasibility is determined with contracts valued up to $150,000 over a period of six months. In Phase II, the necessary R&D is accomplished to produce a well-defined product, process or prototype. These awards typically span two years, with an initial value of $750,000. Under Phase III, the small business is expected to obtain funding from the private sector and/or non-SBIR government sources to develop the prototype into a viable product or non-R&D service for sale in military and/or private-sector markets. The STTR program provides an incentive for small companies, academic institutions, and non-profit research institutions, including federally-funded research and development centers, to work together to move emerging technical ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace. Eleven federal agencies set aside a portion of their R&D budgets for SBIR contracts. The Department of Defense (including the Air Force, Army and Navy) accounts for more than half of the total SBIR budget. Each year, these agencies identify various R&D topics for pursuit by small businesses. The topics are then released in a pre-solicitation, allowing small business to discuss topics with experts. The second release is the final solicitation. Contract winners are chosen on competitive merit by an agency's technical and scientific experts. Additional information on the Air Force SBIR Program is available by visiting the Air Force SBIR/STTR web site at www.afsibrsttr.com or calling the Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Office at 1-800-222-0336. VOICE: 1-800-222-0336 WEB SITE: http://www.afsbirsttr.com EMAIL: info@afsbirsttr.com (Current as of September 2012) Fact Sheet Point of Contact 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs Office (937) 522-3252