The Department of Commerce (DOC) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) invites small businesses to submit research proposals under this NOFO. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program is not a substitute for existing unsolicited proposal mechanisms. Unsolicited proposals are not accepted under the SBIR program.
Only FY 2023 NOAA SBIR Phase I awardees under NOFO number NOAA-OAR-TPO-2023-2007691 with project start dates of September 1, 2023, and project end dates of no later than February 29, 2024, are eligible to submit a Phase II application in response to this NOFO.
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was originally established in 1982 by the Small Business Innovation Development Act (P.L. 97-219), codified at 15 U.S.C. § 638. It was then expanded and extended by the Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-564) and received subsequent reauthorization and extensions, the most recent of which extends the SBIR program through 2025. (P.L. 117-183).
Each Federal agency with an extramural budget for Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) in excess of$100,000,000 must participate in the SBIR program and spend (obligate) a minimum percentage of their extramural R/R&D budgets (obligations) of not less than 3.2% of such budget in fiscal year 2017 and for the percentage required by statute for each fiscal year after for awards to small business concerns (SBCs) for R/R&D under the SBIR program. The objectives of the SBIR program are to: stimulate technological innovation in the private sector; strengthen the role of small business in meeting Federal R&D needs; foster and encourage participation by businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged persons and women-owned SBCs in technological innovation; and increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D funding.
Fostering diversity by encouraging the participation of individuals from nationally underrepresented groups in the scientific research workforce is a longstanding interest of Congress, and a key component of NOAA’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (e.g., Public Law 114-329, American Innovation and Competitiveness Act of 2017, and https://techpartnerships.noaa.gov/abouttpo/dei-statement/). Increasing participation by socially and economically disadvantaged and women-owned small businesses is critical to the success of the SBIR program.
This NOFO does not request proposals for Phase I; however, a description of Phase I is provided here. The purpose of Phase I is to determine the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed research and the quality of performance of the SBC receiving an award. The Phase I proposal should focus on research that will significantly contribute to evaluating the feasibility of the project, a prerequisite to further support in Phase II. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consider and discuss in their proposal, the commercial application and private sector potential for the proposed effort.
NOAA Phase I awards provide up to $175,000 with up to a six (6) month period of performance. The number of awards is dependent on NOAA’s budget. To accommodate the Phase II award process, no-cost extensions are not permitted in Phase I projects that intend to advance to Phase II. If an awardee requests a no-cost extension for the Phase I project, the awardee will be ineligible to submit an application for Phase II.
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