Small Business Innovative Research

The Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program under PE 0605502N is a Navy initiative mandated by federal law, requiring agencies with significant extramural research and development (R&D) budgets to allocate a percentage of their funds to support small business-led R&D. The primary goals of the SBIR program are to stimulate technological innovation, increase small business participation in federally funded R&D, foster participation by minority and disadvantaged firms, and enhance the commercialization of federal R&D within the private sector. The Navy demonstrates a significant commitment to leveraging small business capabilities for defense innovation through this program.

The NAVAIR SBIR Program supports the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) in funding small business R&D projects focused on aviation and related technologies. The objective is to identify and mature innovative solutions that address critical technical challenges in naval aviation, with an emphasis on transitioning successful projects into operational use or further development phases.

The SPAWAR SBIR Program is managed by the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR, now known as NAVWAR) and targets R&D in information warfare, cybersecurity, and advanced communications. The goal is to foster small business innovation in areas critical to Navy information dominance, ensuring that emerging threats and opportunities in the digital domain are addressed through agile, small business-driven research.

The NAVSEA SBIR Program supports the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). This funding is directed toward small business R&D efforts in shipbuilding, undersea warfare, and related maritime technologies. The program seeks to accelerate the development of new capabilities for naval platforms, improve lifecycle sustainment, and introduce cost-effective solutions to complex engineering problems.

The USMC SBIR Program supports Marine Corps-specific R&D priorities. The objective is to engage small businesses in developing technologies that enhance Marine Corps operational effectiveness, survivability, and expeditionary capabilities. Projects may include advanced materials, autonomous systems, and other innovations tailored to the unique needs of the Marine Corps.

The SSPO SBIR Program and ONR SBIR Program focus on technologies supporting strategic deterrence systems and a broad spectrum of basic and applied research areas, respectively. The Strategic Systems Programs Office (SSPO) addresses high-priority Navy and national security challenges, while the Office of Naval Research (ONR) aims to harness small business ingenuity across a wide range of research domains.

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program is distinct from SBIR in that it requires small businesses to formally collaborate with research institutions. Its primary objective is to facilitate the transfer of technology developed in research institutions into the marketplace through small business entrepreneurship, thereby bridging the gap between scientific discovery and practical application.

Several SBIR Administration and Commercialization Readiness Programs (CRP) lines provide resources for program management, technical oversight, and contract administration. The CRP lines are designed to accelerate the transition of SBIR/STTR-developed technologies to Phase III, which involves commercialization and integration into acquisition programs.

Additional specialized lines include the SBIR Due Diligence Program, which supports foreign risk management and due diligence efforts as required by recent legislation, and the SBIR Trial Admin Program, which funds pilot administrative initiatives to improve program efficiency and oversight. These lines ensure that the SBIR program remains compliant with evolving statutory requirements and continues to improve its processes for selecting and managing projects.