Small Business Innovative Research - Chemical Biological Def

The Small Business Innovative Research - Chemical and Biological Defense Program (PE 0605502BP) is a specialized line item within the Department of Defense (DoD) budget that aims to foster innovation in chemical and biological defense technologies by leveraging the capabilities of small businesses. This program is managed under the Research, Development, Test & Evaluation, Defense-Wide appropriation, specifically within the RDT&E Management Support budget activity. The primary goal is to improve the transition and transfer of innovative chemical and biological defense (CBD) technologies between DoD components and the private sector, supporting both national security and commercial applications.

The Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Program is a congressionally mandated initiative designed to increase small business participation in federal research and development efforts. Each participating federal agency, including the DoD, is required to allocate a portion of its extramural R&D budget to SBIR awards. The SBIR program invests in the innovative potential of small businesses to help meet government R&D objectives, while also enabling these companies to commercialize technologies for both government and private sector use.

The Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program operates similarly to SBIR but is specifically designed to encourage collaboration between small businesses and research institutions, such as universities and Federally-Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). The STTR program requires proposals to be submitted by teams consisting of a small business and at least one research institution, with work divided so that the small business performs at least 40% and the research institution at least 30%. The STTR budget is a smaller percentage of the extramural R&D budget and focuses on moving emerging technical ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace, thereby advancing U.S. economic competitiveness.

Within the Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) SBIR/STTR program, specific technology efforts are prioritized to maximize defensive capabilities in chemical or biological threat environments. Key objectives include the development of advanced chemical and biological detection systems, information assessment tools for identification and modeling, contamination avoidance technologies, and protective measures for both personnel and equipment. The program supports both passive and active defense strategies, with a focus on rapid detection, effective decontamination, and robust protection against chemical and biological agents.

For FY 2024, the CBD SBIR/STTR program funded a range of projects, including compact hyperspectral micro-Raman aerosol detectors, multiplexed agent detectors using cavity ring-down spectroscopy, and room temperature photoconductive detectors for mid-infrared wavelengths. Additional efforts included technologies for quick detection and decontamination of chemical warfare agents, host-directed therapeutics for viral diseases, improved medical countermeasure logistics, and self-contained breathing apparatuses for enhanced respiratory protection. The program also invested in quantum chemical sensing and innovative detection methodologies leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning.

The STTR component in FY 2024 focused on developing novel protective technologies, such as porous organic polymers for chemical and biological defense applications, and integrating advanced detection methods that utilize AI and machine learning for rapid identification of aerosolized threats. Planned FY 2026 activities include continued investment in decontamination and hazard mitigation, physical protection, warning and decision support systems, medical diagnostics, and medical countermeasures. These efforts are designed to address evolving threats and ensure the DoD maintains a strong defensive posture against chemical and biological hazards.