1. WHAT IS THE SBIR PROGRAM? The SBIR (Small Business Research) program was mandated by Congress to provide research and development support to small technology-focused businesses to stimulate the conversion of prototype technologies into commercial products.
2. WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE SBIR PROGRAM? American owned, American based independently owned companies with fewer than 500 employees. The company must be for profit with the principal researcher employed by the company.
3. ARE FOREIGN COMPANIES ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM? The company must have its principal place of business located in the United States and at least 51% owned or in the case of a publicly owned business, at least 51% of its voting stock is owned by United States citizens or lawfully admitted permanent resident aliens.
4. WHAT KIND OF TECHNOLOGY IS THE MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY SEEKING? The Missile Defense Agency seeks technical assistance in over 90 topic areas including but not limited to: Lasers, Optics, Sensors, Innovative Software, Operating Systems, Materials, Composites and missile launch systems.
5. HOW DOES MDA DETERMINE TOPICS? The Missile Defense Agency's working group monitors and assess MDA technical needs. Topics are suggested, reviewed and approved for those areas where technical assistance is desired by MDA.
6. DO YOU ACCEPT UNSOLICITED PROPOSALS? Proposals are accepted only during the solicitation periods. MDA follows the Department of Defense solicitation schedule which can be found on the DoD SBIR/STTR website. During the Phase I solicitation period, all firms that meet eligibility requirements may submit a proposal. Only the topics listed in the solicitation are eligible for review, selection and acceptance. After the close of a Phase I solicitation period, no new proposals will be accepted. For Phase II, only firms directly invited by a DoD agency may submit and they must submit by the deadline indicated in the invitation.
7. HOW DOES THE PROGRAM WORK? The program consists of 3 phases. During Phase I, the awarded small business tests the scientific, technical, and commercial merit and feasibility of the proposed technology. During Phase II, the awarded small business strives to develop the proposed technology into a prototype. Phase III is essentially a post-SBIR period, during which the small business is expected to seek avenues for commercialization of the developed prototype.
8. CAN I SKIP PHASE I AND SUBMIT A PHASE II PROPOSAL? No.
9. CAN A PORTION OF THE WORK BE SUBCONTRACTED? For Phase I, two-thirds of the research and/or analytical effort must be performed by the proposing firm, and for Phase II, a minimum of one-half of the research and/or analytical effort must be performed by the proposing firm. The percent of work is usually measured by both direct and indirect costs, although proposers planning to subcontract a significant fraction of their work should verify how it will be measured with their DoD contracting officer during contract negotiations. DoD's solicitation guidelines cover the requirements and regulations in detail.
10. WHAT IS THE PRE SOLICITATION ANNOUNCEMENT? This period opens 60 days prior the actual solicitation start date. During the Pre-Solicitation phase the companies can review the topics that most likely will be included in the solicitation and call topic authors to further discuss the topics. Once the solicitation opens, there can be no direct conversations with topic authors.
11. DO YOU ACCEPT PROPOSALS AT ANY TIME? Proposals are accepted only during the solicitation periods. MDA follows the Department of Defense solicitation schedule which can be found on the DoD SBIR/STTR website.
12. HOW DO I GET STARTED? Visit the SBIR Process page for instructions.

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