Department of Education Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Direct to Phase II 2026: Solicitation

The Department of Education is soliciting proposals under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Direct to Phase II 2026 program, identified by solicitation number 91990026R0005, which is a Total Small Business Set-Aside under FAR 19.5 and classified under NAICS code 541720. This solicitation is exclusively for small businesses and requires proposals to be submitted as a single MS Word or PDF document not exceeding 25MB, with a strict file naming convention and a hard deadline of 2:00 p.m. EST on June 29, 2026. Proposals must include all required components—Section A cover pages, a 15-page maximum Project Narrative, a video demonstration, a letter from an educational setting, certifications, signatures, and proof of SBIR.gov registration—and must be emailed to David Yadeta with a copy to David Geary. The contract is a fixed-price award of $1,000,000 with a performance period from October 5, 2026, to October 4, 2028. Evaluation is competitive and based on weighted factors, with Significance carrying 30 points, and includes a triage round followed by a technical review panel. Proposals must demonstrate a new education technology product derived from an existing evidence-based innovation, a clear commercialization pathway, and a capable project team with a realistic budget. Contractors are required to comply with Department of Education security policies, including personnel vetting, CUI handling, and U.S. citizenship requirements for staff with access to sensitive information. All proposers must maintain current representations and certifications in SAM.gov, disclose foreign influence, foreign funding, patent holdings, and affiliations of covered individuals, and certify the accuracy of all submissions under penalty of criminal, civil, or administrative sanctions under 18 U.S.C. 1001 and the False Claims Act. The Contracting Officer’s Representative will oversee technical delivery but cannot obligate funds or change contract terms. Invoicing must occur through the Invoice Processing Platform, with strict formatting rules on invoice numbers, and contractors must designate a point of contact for administrative coordination.