H.R. 4033House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 2021.

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Updated February 8, 2026 at 4:41 AM UTC

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 2021 updates the Small Business Act to strengthen the SBIR and STTR programs. It adds new incentives, reporting requirements, and priorities for manufacturing and cybersecurity research, while expanding outreach to minority‑ and Hispanic‑serving institutions. The bill also creates new coordination mechanisms, such as an annual agency meeting and a Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program, and introduces a Phase 0 proof‑of‑concept partnership and a short‑form application process to help small firms compete for federal research funding.

Key Provisions

Requires agencies to give high priority to small manufacturers and cybersecurity firms when selecting SBIR/STTR participants and to report on these priorities annually.
Adds a new reporting deadline (within 120 days of enactment and each Dec 31) on goals and incentives for technology insertion.
Mandates increased outreach to minority‑ and Hispanic‑serving institutions and provides funding for those outreach activities.
Establishes an annual meeting of agency heads and the SBA Administrator to improve data collection, reporting, and program efficiency, with a required report to Congress.
Creates a Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program to move civilian‑agency research toward market adoption.
Creates a Phase 0 Proof‑of‑Concept Partnership Program that lets agencies partner with qualifying research institutions for early‑stage technology development.
Extends the commercialization extension pilot through 2026 and gives agencies more flexibility in SBIR phase timing (2022‑2026).
Adds an Application Assistance program and a short‑form application requirement to help first‑time small‑business applicants develop competitive proposals.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

Small Business Committee

June 22, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

June 22, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Small Business Committee

June 22, 2021

Floor Debate

9 members

What members said about H.R. 4033 on the floor

6 Republicans3 Democrats

Rep. Nydia M. VelázquezD-NY-7 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 4900) to reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs and pilot programs, and for other purposes. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that…

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 4900) to reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs and pilot programs, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 4900, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022.

Let me begin by thanking Ranking Member Luetkemeyer and my colleagues on the Senate Small Business Committee and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for their work on this legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I especially want to thank Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, who is retiring at the end of this Congress. Her knowledge and expertise of the programs were pivotal to these negotiations.

Today's bill extends the SBIR and STTR programs and six related pilot programs for 3 years. Reauthorizing them is vital to thousands of small businesses and research institutions that partner with 11 agencies to develop solutions to some of our country's most difficult challenges.

Since their founding 40 years ago, SBIR and STTR have launched some of our Nation's most innovative enterprises and products that have become household names. Companies like iRobot, Sonicare electric toothbrushes, 23andMe, LASIK eye surgery, and Qualcomm wireless communications all got their start through SBIR/STTR.

More innovative technology is on the way. In fiscal year 2021 alone, Federal agencies leveraged nearly $4 billion in awards to back 4,000 small businesses and nearly 7,000 projects. Awardees are leading the way in our efforts to fight climate change, modernize manufacturing, and create breakthroughs in lifesaving medical technologies.

S. 4900 gives them the ability to continue their work and lead America's innovation by providing stability to both the small businesses and agencies for the next 3 years.

It builds on efforts to strengthen Federal research security through due diligence reviews to prevent malign foreign countries from stealing technologies developed through SBIR and STTR.

It also establishes higher benchmarks for more experienced firms to commercialize their technologies and includes various studies and more detailed reporting to increase oversight and inform future program changes.

Unfortunately, S. 4900 does not include everything we wanted to accomplish during this reauthorization, but I remain committed to coming together again in the future to have those conversations.

Our monthslong bipartisan and bicameral negotiations will avoid a devastating lapse and protect thousands of jobs. Today, we are here considering a hard-fought compromise to reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Stevens), the chairwoman of the Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan).

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing.

The U.S. has the most dynamic small business ecosystem on the planet, and this 3-year extension ensures that our country remains one of the most innovative in the world.

The SBIR and STTR are essential components of that global competitiveness. They give small businesses a role in developing groundbreaking technologies that make our lives better in a variety of ways.

This program boosts American security, innovation, and entrepreneurship. That is why we must act today to extend them and ensure our country continues to reap these benefits into the future.

Stakeholders, from individual small business owners to research universities to the Department of Defense, have made it clear that even a temporary shutdown would be disastrous.

Throughout these negotiations, we have not always seen eye to eye, but I am thankful we all remain committed to keeping the programs open.

We have come up with a compromise that provides stability for small businesses and the agencies they partner with, reduces the risk that foreign adversaries can steal U.S. technologies developed through SBIR and STTR, and preserves the competitive and merit-based strength of these programs.

Mr. Speaker, this is not the end, and there will be more work to do in the coming years. I pledge to continue to work to improve the programs.

I, again, thank my colleagues involved with reauthorization for all of their work leading up to today, including the members of the Committee on Small Business who participated in many hearings and briefings over the course of the past 2 years.

I also thank the staff on the House Committees on Small Business and Science, Space, and Technology for their dedication and tireless work to get us to this point: Dahlia Sokolov, Rebecca Callahan, Sara Barber, Elizabeth Barczak, Catherine Johnson, Jenn Wickre, Giulia Leganski, Robert Yavor, Delia Barr, Ellen Harrington, and Kevin Wheeler, who have been living and breathing SBIR for most of their time on the Hill, including this year as they worked around the clock, days, nights, and weekends. I sincerely thank each of them.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 to provide stability and certainty to small firms and agencies alike, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Blaine LuetkemeyerR-MO-3 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support in of S. 4900, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. The Small Business Innovation Research and Small…

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support in of S. 4900, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022.

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Businesses Technology Transfer, or SBIR and STTR programs, are vital to the success of many small entities and have helped create thousands of new jobs by fostering innovation and stimulating the economy through cutting-edge research. SBIR and STTR's mission is to support scientific excellence and technological innovation for small businesses.

For the last 40 years, these programs have helped firms develop new technologies that have directly assisted Federal agencies meet their R&D needs. The American warfighter is no doubt stronger due to these programs.

However, a recent Department of Defense report revealed foreign adversaries have been exploiting the SBIR through shell companies, planted government researchers, and state-sponsored talent programs. The report found that the People's Republic of China has become a large beneficiary of SBIR and STTR. This is unacceptable, and the status quo must not continue, Mr. Speaker.

The programs must have heightened awareness and protections in place to prevent nefarious abuse. This legislation, crafted over months of negotiations, provides significant reforms to combat malign foreign influence and protect our small businesses from Chinese acquisition of innovation technologies.

Specifically, this bill mandates that agencies establish strong due- diligence safeguards to assess security risks and prevent influence from bad actors. It requires companies to disclose any business ties, investments, and contracts with China, and it gives agencies authority to deny any application if certain relationships are deemed a risk to national security.

In addition to safeguarding small businesses from China, this bill curbs abuse by multiple award winners, or SBIR mills. Mills are firms that consume a disproportionate number of awards but have low commercialization rates. These mills will have to meet enhanced performance standards in order to apply for new awards. These benchmarks will hold mills accountable and ensure that the programs are focusing on commercializing projects and attracting more private capital investments.

Finally, S. 4900 strengthens congressional oversight, increases public transparency, and safeguards taxpayer dollars during a time where government overreach has run rampant, and transparency has been limited.

These reforms are a win for small businesses and will protect U.S. R&D and innovative technologies.

I thank Chairwoman Velazquez, Ranking Member Lucas, Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, as well as Senators Cardin, Paul, and Ernst for working in a bipartisan manner to ensure these programs are reauthorized before the end of the month.

I encourage all my colleagues to support S. 4900, which unanimously passed the Senate last week.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the distinguished gentleman from Oklahoma (Mr. Lucas), the Republican leader of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim), a valuable member on the Small Business Committee and a strong advocate for entrepreneurs.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Fitzgerald), a very valuable, experienced member of our Committee on Small Business and another strong advocate for the entrepreneurs of our economy.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Flood), one of our newest Members who has joined our committee and is doing a fantastic job representing small businesses and is another strong advocate for the entrepreneurs of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing.

The SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 will reauthorize the programs for 3 years and address congressional concerns by establishing research security measures, increasing transparency and oversight, and focusing on commercialization.

I think, as you have heard the speakers this afternoon, in my mind, we have two big problems that we are solving here. Besides the extension of these programs, which I think are important to the national defense of our country, for one thing, I think it also helps spur entrepreneurial and investment technology that I think is vital to our country, and we stop the use of some of these programs as ATMs for different companies. I think we also put a stop to the Chinese abuse of these programs, as well.

I think those are the two highlights that are really important in these programs. They have done a good job of putting protections in place. I think that we are strengthening these protections, as well as protecting R&D and protecting our taxpayer dollars to make sure they are being spent effectively and efficiently.

Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to support S. 4900, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Rep. Haley M. StevensD-MI-11 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 4900, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. This is an exciting and thrilling day, and we couldn't push with more urgency to pass this legislation. The…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S. 4900, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. This is an exciting and thrilling day, and we couldn't push with more urgency to pass this legislation.

The Small Business Innovation Research Program, the SBIR, is well- known for its tagline of ``America's seed fund,'' as it inspires small businesses across the country to transform their ideas into marketable products and services.

On behalf of Chairwoman Johnson, I thank the Chairwoman for the Small Business Committee for bringing us here to this moment and, of course, our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, for joining us in a bipartisan action to improve America's competitiveness.

The National Science Foundation piloted the SBIR program in the 1970s, at the urging of Members who recognized that investments in small business innovation benefits our Nation as a whole and creates jobs. Due to its success, Congress made it a governmentwide program. Decades later, SBIR has given back to the taxpayer in immeasurable ways. It has been so successful that the SBIR model has been replicated in 17 countries.

Since coming to Congress myself, I devote Mondays to visiting manufacturers or businesses in my district, in what I call Manufacturing Mondays, which showcases southeastern Michigan's innovation economy and our workforce. I have seen the powerful impact of the SBIR program firsthand in these visits; and previous to coming to Congress, I helped companies and small business innovators apply for these grants.

Last December, I had the privilege of visiting the team at Geofabrica, an Additive Manufacturing Technology Development company in Auburn Hills, Michigan, to hear about their exciting, DOD-funded SBIR work. Their CEO shared something that struck a chord. He said: ``Geofabrica would not have undertaken a fraction of its technology development if it were not for the SBIR and STTR programs.''

Think about that, my friends. These programs make discovery possible for small businesses; some beginning at the university level, and some that are small businesses in their infancy stage.

Over the past 5 years, the SBIR program has awarded small businesses in Michigan more than $348 million in funding for R&D. This has led to incredibly exciting discoveries and inventions in Michigan, from the development of a handheld technology that enables farmers to accurately detect nitrates in their own fields to save farmers money, while also protecting our freshwater systems from toxic algal blooms; to the testing of new ligand for PET imaging of the brain during clinical trials for new memory disorder drugs. This is all coming from this program we are going to reauthorize today.

The last comprehensive reauthorization for the SBIR program was 11 years ago. We have opted or just continued to extend the program, like we did in 2016, leaving powerful opportunities to strengthen SBIR out of the conversation. My, how the times have changed.

I began this Congress ready to work on updating SBIR in order to support our entrepreneurs, our job creators, and the place that I am so privileged to call home and represent, Oakland County, Michigan, the home of automation alley.

Congressman and Dr. Jim Baird and myself ushered in H.R. 4033, a smart and effective way to make improvements to SBIR. Unfortunately, our bill was not passed by the Senate, and it is not the complete legislation before us today. So even as we provide much-

needed stability to the program with today's vote, we still have work to do.

One of my own priorities is to expand program outreach to enable agencies to reach more first-time entrepreneurs, particularly those who are Black, Hispanic, Indigenous, and female entrepreneurs, people innovating in their home and alongside their family, particularly during these disruptive times of the COVID-19 pandemic. All of these individuals have innovations and businesses that have been long underfunded.

I also hope to see enhanced support for technology commercialization within the program, including through additional technical support to businesses and by providing agencies a wider range of funding tools to meet our unique needs.

Mr. Speaker, I call on my colleagues to join me in passing S. 4900 today for SBIR reauthorization.

Rep. Chrissy HoulahanD-PA-6 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise today also in support of S. 4900, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. This bipartisan legislation is both timely and necessary to ensure that our Nation remains on the…

Mr. Speaker, I rise today also in support of S. 4900, the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. This bipartisan legislation is both timely and necessary to ensure that our Nation remains on the forefront of innovation, research, and development of the products and technology of our future.

As an entrepreneur myself by trade, and with experience scaling several businesses in Pennsylvania, I know personally just how important that seed funding can be to a business' success and to the potential to get its products to the shelves.

The Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer Programs, otherwise known as America's seed fund, offer competitive Federal awards to small firms in order to tackle the 21st century problems and needs. Simply put, funds from these programs move innovative technologies from concept to marketplace, or from the lab to our government programs and systems.

Despite the overwhelming success of these programs, there is one major problem that we have in Congress that we all must address, and that is we are standing here today. The SBIR and STTR programs are set to expire in just 2 short days unless we come together and pass this bill and send it to the President's desk.

The consequences of a program lapse would be so devastating on many, many fronts. For instance, the Department of Defense has shared that failure to reauthorize this program will result in approximately 1,200 warfighting needs not being addressed; not to mention that these programs are remarkable taxpayer investments, returning $22 to the economy for every $1 spent on projects at the DOD.

I have been proud to work with my colleagues across the Small Business and the Armed Service Committees to lead this effort to extend the authorization of these critical programs. Indeed, in June, I successfully offered a bipartisan amendment to prevent a harmful program lapse in our annual defense bill. As the defense bill is, unfortunately, still pending in the Senate, I thank Senators Cardin and Ernst for their sponsorship of this important legislation, which will reauthorize the SBIR and STTR programs for an additional 3 years.

Furthermore, this legislation adds measures aimed at commercializing projects and expanding Federal research security to protect against technology theft.

I thank the leadership for their support. Time is of the essence, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.

Rep. Frank D. LucasR-OK-3 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me this time. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the SBIR and STTR Extension Act. This bill is extremely timely, as the authorizations for these programs…

Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the SBIR and STTR Extension Act. This bill is extremely timely, as the authorizations for these programs expire in just a few days.

I am pleased that the bill we are considering today represents a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that provides both small businesses and agencies clarity by reauthorizing the programs for another 3 years.

The SBIR and STTR programs play an important role in our innovation economy. Through these programs, research agencies provide opportunities to small businesses who are then able to leverage private-sector funding to propel research forward.

The programs incentivize economic growth in two ways: They support entrepreneurship and job creation at small businesses across the country. They also support high-risk research to drive breakthrough technologies that make America more competitive.

These programs are a notable example of how public-private partnerships can provide value and stimulate innovation. Importantly, this reauthorization includes several reforms to the programs that are priorities for Republican Members, including: Protecting our research enterprise, bolstering transparency and oversight, and focusing on successful commercialization.

I am pleased that this reauthorization includes strong due diligence measures that each agency with an SBIR or STTR program must enforce. These safeguards build on the bipartisan research security framework that the Science Committee has championed.

Additionally, an increased focus on transparency and oversight of the programs will bolster public transparency, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and provide more opportunities to new small business applicants.

I thank my colleagues on the House Small Business Committee for working with me to reach this bipartisan agreement, and, in particular, I thank Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for his leadership throughout the process.

As always, many thanks to my Chairwoman, Eddie Bernice Johnson, for her tireless work to ensure that the Science, Space, and Technology Committee remains a bipartisan, productive committee focused on legislating.

The SBIR and STTR programs are vital to our research enterprise, especially as we strive to maintain American leadership and technology. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Show 4 more

Rep. Scott FitzgeraldR-WI-5 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding. I rise in support of S. 4900, which would reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs. In…

Mr. Speaker, I thank the ranking member for yielding.

I rise in support of S. 4900, which would reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

In addition to extending the SBIR and STTR programs for 3 years, this bill contains several important provisions that safeguard our government and its research from foreign entities and enhance benchmarks for those companies that have received multiple awards.

Since 1992, the SBIR and STTR programs have helped promote public- private partnership and small business innovation by requiring agencies with sizable R&D needs to set aside a portion of their budget for small business participation.

As many of the speakers said before me, the return on investment has been nothing short of impressive. In the Department of Defense alone, between 1995 and 2018, the SBIR and STTR programs resulted in $28 billion in new product sales to the U.S. military, $347 billion in total economic output, and the creation of more than 1.5 million jobs.

But with this amount of participation comes the likelihood of malign influence and fraud within the program. This was evidenced by a DOD report that found China was using shell companies in its Thousand Talents Program to profit off federally funded research programs like these two we are talking about here this afternoon.

Having been part of the negotiating process during my time as a conferee for the COMPETES/USICA bill, the issue of combating foreign influence was certainly top of mind.

I am pleased that both sides were able to come to an agreement and understand the importance of safeguarding much of this research.

Not only will this bill require companies that apply for SBIR and STTR awards to disclose any ties to China, but it will also require Federal agencies to bolster their due diligence efforts to ensure our intellectual property is fully protected.

Most importantly, the bill also requires DOD to establish an open topic solicitation, allowing small businesses the opportunity to showcase how their innovations can be beneficial to the actual warfighter. The GAO believes this will be more than efficiently laid out and planned and that new companies can be bolstered with this small business innovation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Rep. Mike FloodR-NE-1 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. I thank Chair Velazquez and Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for their work in a bipartisan fashion. I also thank Senators Ernst and…

Mr. Speaker, I rise to support the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022.

I thank Chair Velazquez and Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for their work in a bipartisan fashion. I also thank Senators Ernst and Cardin for what they have done for this legislation. I am pleased that this bill has been brought to the floor in an expedited fashion.

The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Extension Act is an important piece of legislation, and the changes this bill brings to these programs are urgently needed.

For those who are not familiar, the Small Business Innovation Research program was created in 1982. The program was intended to spur American innovation and harness ingenuity by increasing small business engagement in federally funded research and development.

More recently, however, the Chinese Government has been manipulating this program. A report from the Department of Defense in April 2021 revealed some of the tactics China has used to this end.

The DOD revealed instances where companies were created, received SBIR grants, and then the founders mysteriously dissolved the company. Upon further investigation, it became clear that these companies were either recruited to China or were formed with the intent of returning to China from the start.

Either way, the result was the same: The American taxpayers funded projects that were stolen by the Chinese Government. This was simply an unacceptable status quo.

This bill fixes those problems. It implements strong safeguards against the influence of China or other foreign actors, and it creates new reporting requirements for these programs that will ensure taxpayer dollars are properly used.

This bill also brings the SBIR back to its original purpose: to spur innovation and unlock the ingenuity of American small businesses.

With these changes to the program, we can make sure the SBIR and STTR are stronger and more accessible for entrepreneurs in Nebraska and across the country.

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.

Rep. Young KimR-CA-39 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the Small…

Rep. Bob GoodR-VA-5 · Sep 28, 2022

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued June 22, 2021

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 4033

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

June 22, 2021

Mr. Baird (for himself and Ms. Stevens) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

A BILL

To amend the Small Business Act to improve the Small Business Innovation Research program and Small Business Technology Transfer program, and for other purposes.

Short title; table of contents

(a)

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 2021.

(b)

Table of contents

The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

Sec. 2. Requiring insertion incentives.

Sec. 3. Additional SBIR and STTR technology insertion reporting requirement.

Sec. 4. Encouraging innovation in United States manufacturing.

Sec. 5. Encouraging innovation in cybersecurity.

Sec. 6. Compliance of Phase III awards with competitive procedures.

Sec. 7. Increased outreach requirements.

Sec. 8. Annual meeting.

Sec. 9. Establishing the Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program.

Sec. 10. Phase 0 Proof of Concept Partnership Program.

Sec. 11. Reporting requirements.

Sec. 12. SBIR phase flexibility.

Sec. 13. Amendments to administrative fee assistance.

Sec. 14. Amendments to technical and business assistance.

Sec. 15. Extension of commercialization extension pilot.

Sec. 16. Short-form application.

Requiring insertion incentives

Section 9(y)(5) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(y)(5)) is amended by striking is authorized to and inserting shall.

Additional SBIR and STTR technology insertion reporting requirement

Section 9(y)(6) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(y)(6)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (B), by striking and at the end;

(2)

in subparagraph (C)(iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(D)

not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this subparagraph, and not later than December 31 of each year thereafter, submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives, and to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate, a report describing the goals set under subparagraph (A) and the incentives used or created under subparagraph (B).

Encouraging innovation in United States manufacturing

Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(vv)

Encouraging innovation in united states manufacturing

In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall—

(1)

ensure that, in selecting small business concerns to participate in SBIR or STTR programs under this section, Federal agencies give high priority to small manufacturing companies and other small business concerns engaged in or planning to engage in manufacturing research and development for the purpose of developing and producing new products and technologies in the United States; and

(2)

include in the annual report to Congress under subsection (b)(7) a determination of whether the priority described in paragraph (1) is being carried out.

Encouraging innovation in cybersecurity

Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as amended by section 4, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(ww)

Encouraging innovation in cybersecurity

In carrying out this section, the Administrator shall—

(1)

ensure that, in selecting small business concerns to participate in SBIR or STTR programs under this section, Federal agencies engaged in cybersecurity research give high priority to small business concerns that are engaged in cybersecurity research and development, for the purpose of developing and implementing technology services and products to strengthen the security of United States Government and private computer systems, including software, hardware, and portable devices; and

(2)

include in the annual report to Congress under subsection (b)(7) a determination of whether the priority described in paragraph (1) is being carried out.

Compliance of Phase III awards with competitive procedures

Section 9(r)(4) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(r)(4)) is amended by inserting as direct follow-on awards issued without further competition after developed the technology.

Increased outreach requirements

(a)

In general

(1)

SBIR Amendment

Section 9(j) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(j)), as amended by section 8, is further amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

(5)

Increased outreach requirements

Upon the enactment of this paragraph, the Administrator shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this subsection to require outreach efforts to increase the participation in technological innovation under the SBIR programs among individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502(a)(5) of such Act).

(2)

STTR Amendment

Section 9(p)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(p)(2)), as amended by section 8, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(H)

procedures for outreach efforts to increase the participation in technological innovation under the SBIR programs among individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365(3) of the Higher Education Act of 1965) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502(a)(5) of such Act).

(b)

Funding for outreach

Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1)) is amended—

(1)

in subparagraph (J), by striking the “and” at the end;

(2)

in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and

(3)

by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(L)

the outreach efforts described under subsections (j)(4) and (p)(2)(G); and

Annual meeting

(a)

In general

Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as amended by section 5, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

(xx)

Annual meeting

(1)

In general

The head of each Federal agency required to have a program under this section (or a designee) and the Administrator (or a designee) shall meet annually to discuss methods—

(A)

to improve the collection of data under this section;

(B)

to improve the reporting of data to the Administrator under this section;

(C)

to make the application processes for programs under this section more efficient; and

(D)

to increase participation in the programs established under this section.

(2)

Report

Not later than 60 days after the date on which an annual meeting required under paragraph (1) is held, the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives, a report on the findings of such meeting and recommendations on how to implement changes to programs under this section.

(b)

Funding for annual meeting

Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1)) as amended by section 9, is further amended by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:

(M)

the annual meeting required under subsection (xx).

Establishing the Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program

Section 9(gg) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(gg)) is amended—

(1)

by amending the subsection heading to read as follows: Civilian agency commercialization readiness program;

(2)

in paragraph (1), by inserting to establish a Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program for civilian agencies after the covered Federal agency;

(3)

in paragraph (2)(A)—

(A)

by striking establish a pilot program and inserting establish a Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program under this subsection; and

(B)

by striking the pilot program and inserting such Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program;

(4)

in paragraphs (3) and (4), by striking a pilot program each place such term appears and inserting a Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program;

(5)

in paragraph (6), by striking the pilot program and inserting a Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program;

(6)

by striking paragraph (7) and redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (7); and

(7)

in paragraph (7) (as so redesignated), by amending subparagraph (B) to read as follows:

(B)

the term Civilian Agency Commercialization Readiness Program means each program established under paragraph (1).

10.

Phase 0 Proof of Concept Partnership program

Section 9(jj) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(jj) is amended—

(1)

in the subsection heading, strike pilot;

(2)

in paragraph (1)—

(A)

by striking The Director of the National Institutes of Health and inserting Each covered agency head;

(B)

by striking pilot; and

(C)

by striking the Director and inserting each covered agency head;

(3)

in paragraph (2)—

(A)

in subparagraph (C), by striking in the National Institutes of Health’s STTR program and inserting in the STTR program of any agency described in section (n); and

(B)

by adding at the end the following:

(D)

the term covered agency head means the Director of the National Institutes of Health, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Secretary of Energy;

(E)

the term Phase 0 program refers to the Proof of Concept Partnerships program; and

(F)

the terms qualifying institution and institution means a university or other research institution that participates in the STTR program of the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Energy, or Department of Defense.

;

(4)

in paragraph (3) by adding entrepreneurial training after market research;

(5)

in paragraph (4)—

(A)

in subparagraph (A), by striking The Director and inserting Each covered agency head; and

(B)

in subparagraph (B), by striking In determining and all that follows through qualifying institutions— and inserting the following: In determining which qualifying institutions receive Phase 0 Program grants, each covered agency head shall consider, in addition to any other criteria such covered agency head determines necessary, the extent to which the qualifying institutions—;

(6)

in paragraph (6), in the matter preceding (A), by striking The Director and inserting Each covered agency head and by striking pilot program and inserting Phase 0 program; and

(7)

by striking paragraph (7).

11.

Reporting requirements

(a)

Annual report to congress

Section 9(b)(7) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(b)(7)) is amended by striking to report not less than annually and inserting to submit a report not later than December 31 of each year.

(b)

Annual report to SBA and the office of science and technology policy

Section 9(g)(9) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)(9)) is amended—

(1)

by striking make an annual report and inserting not later than March 30 of each year, submit a report; and

(2)

by striking and the Office of Science and Technology Policy and inserting , the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate.

12.

SBIR phase flexibility

Section 9(cc) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(cc)) is amended by striking During fiscal years and all that follows through may each provide and inserting During fiscal years 2022 through 2026 all agencies participating in the SBIR program may provide.

13.

Amendments to administrative fee assistance

Section 9(mm) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)) is amended—

(1)

in paragraph (1), by striking and until September 30, 2022; and

(2)

in paragraph (2), after “(j)(2)(F)” add “and (j)(5)” as required under this Act.

14.

Amendments to technical and business assistance

Section 9(q) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(q)) is amended—

(1)

in the header, by striking technical and business assistance and inserting application, technical, and business assistance;

(2)

in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:

(C)

Guidance

The Administrator shall establish guidelines and metrics for the selection of vendors for the purposes of this subsection, which shall include at a minimum guidance on selecting vendors with demonstrated experience and success in—

(i)

working with small business concerns focused on research and development of advanced and emerging technologies;

(ii)

federal acquisition and procurement processes and regulations; and

(iii)

commercializing federally funded research and development.

; and

(3)

in paragraph (3)—

(A)

in subparagraph (C), by adding subject to the guidance provided by the Administrator under paragraph (2)(C) after commercializing technology;

(B)

in subparagraph (D)—

(i)

in clause (i), by striking ; or and inserting a semicolon;

(ii)

in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; or; and

(iii)

by adding at the end the following:

(iii)

use the amounts authorized under subparagraph (A) or (B) to increase the amount of an award for carrying out additional research or development.

;

(C)

by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new paragraph:

(4)

Application assistance

(A)

In general

Each Federal agency required by this section to conduct an SBIR program or STTR program may establish an Application Assistance Program to provide small business concerns applying to SBIR or STTR with application assistance.

(B)

Purpose

The purpose of this program is to assist small businesses to better understand the technical aspects of the application process and to develop a more competitive application.

(C)

Requirements

Each agency under subparagraph (A) may provide the assistance under this paragraph or enter into an agreement with 1 or more vendors selected under subparagraph (G).

(D)

Eligibility

To be eligible for assistance under this program a small business concern must—

(i)

be a first-time applicant for an SBIR or STTR award from that agency and have not been a previous recipient of an SBIR or STTR award from any other agency; and

(ii)

be selected to proceed in the application process after the short-form application requirements under section 9(g)(2) have been completed.

(E)

Broadening participation

The Administrator shall encourage businesses described under section (j)(2)(F) to apply for assistance under the program established in this paragraph.

(F)

Activities

The program shall provide Phase 1 proposal preparation, review, and registration assistance to small business concerns selected to proceed in the application process after the short-form application requirements under section 9(g)(2) have been completed.

(G)

Vendor selection

If the agency selects 1 or more vendors to provide the assistance under this program, it shall be a competitive, merit-based process for a term not to exceed 5 years and the vendor shall have demonstrated expertise in writing successful Federally funded technology development proposals.

(H)

Payment for services

There shall be no fee assessed to small business concerns receiving services under this program.

(I)

Funding

Each Federal agency that establishes an Application Assistance program may use funds allocated under section 9(mm).

; and

(D)

by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph (5).

15.

Extension of commercialization extension pilot

Section 9(uu)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(uu)) is amended by striking 2022 and inserting 2026.

16.

Short-form application

Section 9(g) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)) is amended by—

(1)

by striking Each Federal agency and inserting (1) Each Federal agency;

(2)

by redesignating paragraphs (1) through (12) as subparagraphs (A) through (L), respectively;

(3)

in subparagraph (C), as so redesignated, by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;

(4)

in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated—

(A)

by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as clauses (i) and (ii), respectively;

(B)

in clause (ii), as so redesignated, by redesignating clauses (i) and (ii) as subclauses (I) and (II), respectively; and

(C)

in subclause (II), as so redesignated, by striking clause (i) and inserting subclause (I);

(5)

in subparagraph (H), as so redesignated—

(A)

by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (C) as clauses (i) through (iii), respectively;

(B)

in clause (i), as so redesignated, by redesignating clauses (i) through (vi) as subclauses (I) through (VI), respectively;

(C)

in subclause (I), as so redesignated, by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively; and

(D)

in subclause (II), as so redesignated, by redesignating subclauses (I) and (II) as items (aa) and (bb), respectively; and

(6)

by adding at the end a new paragraph (2):

(2)

To the extent practicable prior to a more extensive application, implement a short-form application to be received and evaluated, which shall include at a minimum a description of—

(A)

the technology innovation;

(B)

the technical objectives and challenges;

(C)

the market opportunity; and

(D)

the small business concern and key employees.