What We Do
The principal goal of the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs is to serve the technology needs of the Air Force warfighter. These programs, together with the people who manage them, accomplish this as part of the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) technology development efforts. AFRL’s mission is to be the Air Force’s agent for identifying and providing advanced, affordable, and integrated technologies that keep our Air Force the best in the world.
The Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Manager is responsible for:
- Establishing the program schedule
- Requesting and collecting topics for the Department of Defense (DoD) SBIR Program Solicitations
- Allocating the number of topics among the Program Executive Officers, Designated Acquisition Commanders, AFRL Technology Directorates (TDs), Air Logistics Centers (ALCs), Test Centers, and Product Centers
- Managing and allocating funds to the AFRL TDs, ALCs, and Test Centers
- Creating and maintaining the Air Force SBIR/STTR database
- Coordinating outreach and marketing efforts nationwide
- Responding to small business inquiries
About This web Site
The Air Force SBIR/STTR web site is operated under the guidance of the Air Force SBIR/STTR Program Manager, located within AFRL headquarters at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. Improvements and additions are made continuously.
The centerpiece of this interactive web site is the "Topic/Award Data Search" (see below), which lists Phase III success stories, Phase I and II summary reports, and Phase I and Phase II award abstracts. SBIR/STTR information may be accessed by a custom search. By making SBIR/STTR technology and marketing information easier to find, the Topic/Award Data Search can facilitate opportunities for commercialization and partnering arrangements.
The Air Force SBIR/STTR web site also provides information about current news events, program terminology and procedures, and organizational points of contact. For instance, you can go to our "Publications" page to find the SBIR/STTR "Advantage" newsletter and innovation/transition success stories.
This web site is designed for all SBIR/STTR stakeholders, including small businesses, Air Force and other government acquisition agencies, prime contractors and major subcontractors, companies that facilitate investment and partnering arrangements, and companies that are interested in private-sector applications for SBIR/STTR dual-use technologies.
We hope that you will make good use of this information resource, and we welcome your feedback on ways to make the web site better.
About the Topic/Award Data Search
Purpose and Organization
The Topic/Award Data Search highlights SBIR/STTR technologies managed by the Air Force, including any SBIR/STTR programs administered by the Air Force for other DoD offices. The intent of the Topic/Award Data Search is to provide an electronic forum to facilitate commercialization of SBIR/STTR technologies and the development of partnering arrangements among prime contractors and small businesses, as well as other business-to-business relationships.
The Topic/Award Data Search is organized in a relational database format that allows customers to browse award records by firm, DoD technical area, government office, and state. In addition, the user can search for keywords or phrases (e.g., "sensor," "heat transfer surface"). The foundation of the Topic/Award Data Search consists of summary reports, success (impact) stories, and SBIR/STTR award abstracts that are based upon the following distinctions:
- Phase I Award Abstract. This abstract is prepared at the time of the Phase I contractual award.
- Phase II Award Abstract. This abstract is prepared at the time of the Phase II contractual award.
- Phase II Summary Report. A Phase II summary report describes a SBIR/STTR technology that has advanced beyond a Phase I feasibility study into what is normally a two-year developmental process. Phase II summary reports provide a tool for prospective buyers and partners to evaluate commercialization opportunities, including possible spin-offs to related technological needs. Recent-year Phase II awards will have both interim and final Phase II Summary Reports.
- Phase III Success Story. A Phase III innovation story describes the commercialization by a small business of a SBIR/STTR technology to either the military and/or private sector customer(s). A transition story focuses on the actual use/benefit of the technology within the military.
Summary reports are written by small business firms and submitted via the Small Business User Category (Small Business log-in area) for Air Force review and operations security clearance. By contrast, a candidate SBIR/STTR success story may be initiated by the small businesses, provided directly by the Air Force Technical Point of Contact, submitted by the respective SBIR/STTR Program Manager, or initiated by another Air Force or DoD office (e.g., a system program office). Instructions for submission of summary reports and candidate success stories are posted on the Air Force SBIR/STTR web site.
Air Force SBIR/STTR web site customers are encouraged to examine the aforementioned informational resources since they collectively provide insights about SBIR/STTR technologies, as well as small businesses’ core competencies.
Air Force SBIR/STTR web site Membership and Activity
A small business automatically becomes an Air Force SBIR/STTR web site member once it receives a Phase I or Phase II SBIR/STTR award. Small business firms with R&D competencies, which are registered on the DoD SBIR/STTR registration site, may also become part of the Air Force SBIR/STTR web site's Small Business Search (see instructions concerning how to submit a Firm Profile for the Small Business Search).
Multiple success story and summary report entries, on older as well as more recent awards, reflect a firm’s strong interest in marketing its SBIR/STTR technologies. If a Phase III commercialization has occurred, a success story is appropriate.
If you have any questions about Air Force SBIR/STTR web site membership and activity, contact the Air Force SBIR/STTR web site manager. Other sources for assistance may be found on the Contact Us and SBIR/STTR Points of Contact web pages.
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