NOAA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I 2017

The U. S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to seek proposals from small business firms for participation in Phase I of the Fiscal Year 2017 NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Phase I of the SBIR program implements the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011, contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (P.L. 112-81), which reauthorizes the SBIR/STTR programs for six years. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program is a highly competitive program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs. During Phase I of the NOAA SBIR Program, small businesses are invited to submit innovative research proposals in response to the priorities outlined in the latest NOAA Strategic Research Guidance Memorandum (SRGM). NOAA's research priorities include (i) Integrated Earth System Processes & Predictions, (ii) Observing System Optimization, (iii) Decision Science, Risk Assessment & Risk Communication, (iv) Data Science, (v) Water Prediction and (vi) Arctic Research. This is the first year NOAA is using these priorities as major overarching topic areas. A description of each of these priorities can be found on the memorandum, located at http://nrc.noaa.gov/CouncilProducts/StrategicResearchGuidanceMemorandum.aspx. Specific subtopics will be available with the final solicitation release. It's in this phase where the small business establishes technical merit, feasibility and proof of concept for the proposed innovative solution. Any organization or individuals receiving awards under Phase I are eligible to compete for a follow-up Phase II award. It is important for potential small business firms to note that intellectual rights to their innovative research ideas belong to them, and is protected under the federal SBIR legislation. The FY2017 SBIR Phase I solicitation will be issued on or about October 19, 2016. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541712. The SBIR solicitation will be available at the Federal Business Opportunities website www.fbo.gov under Solicitation Number NOAA2017-1. Please do not submit questions regarding this specific solicitation at this time. After release of the solicitation, it will be the offeror's responsibility to monitor this site for any amendments to the solicitation. The Government anticipates making multiple Phase I awards, each with a period of performance of six (6) months and a ceiling price not to exceed $120,000.00. The Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD) requires that all contractors doing business with this Acquisition Office must be registered within the SAM.gov website (formerly the Central Contractor Registration [CCR] database). No award can be made unless the vendor is registered in SAM.gov. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site https://www.sam.gov and select the Help Tab. In order to register in SAM and to be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. A possible source of information for small businesses to use in helping to navigate these systems and learn more about contracting with the government is the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC). In 1985, Congress authorized the Procurement Technical Assistance Program in an effort to help expand the number of businesses capable of participating in the Government Marketplace. The program helps provide matching funds with state and local governments and non-profit organizations to establish these Procurement Technical Assistance Services to provide procurement assistance. They usually provide these services either at low cost or free of charge. You can find your local service center at http://www.aptac-us.org/new/Govt_Contracting/find.php to find out more information. If you have any general questions, please reference "Solicitation Number NOAA 2017-1" in the subject heading when contacting the following individuals - General questions related to the NOAA SBIR program should be directed to: o Vince Garcia, SBIR Program Manager: (301) 628-1011 or vincent.garcia@noaa.gov - Contract questions related to this announcement should be directed to: o Joan Clarkston, Contract Specialist: (816) 426-7469 or joan.e.clarkston@noaa.gov