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About the US DOT SBIR Program

The Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 (PL 97-219), reauthorizing legislation (PUB.L. 99-443) and PUB.L. 102-564 (Small Business Research and Development Act), seeks to encourage the initiative of the private sector and to use small business as effectively as possible in meeting Federal research and development objectives. To comply with statutory obligations of the Act, DOT has established a US DOT SBIR Program which conforms to guidelines and regulations provided by the Small Business Administration. Annually, small businesses are solicited to submit innovative research proposals that address high priority requirements of the Department and have potential for commercialization.

DOT SBIR Program Success Stories

Three new DOT SBIR Program success stories are now available on the new Small Business Administration (SBA) SBIR Program website, http://www.sbir.gov/success-stories-by-agency/128 Listed below are the s DOT agencies that funded the research/research and development, the project title and the SBIR Company responsible for conducting the work:

• Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), project entitled; FRA Deploys New Ultra-Portable Ride Inspection Tool, dFuzion Inc.;
• Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), project entitled;MWM-Array Characterization of Mechanical Damage and Corrosion, JENTEK Sensors, Inc.; and
• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), project entitled; Military target tracking concepts applied to helping pedestrians cross the road safely, Migma Systems, Inc.

Manufacturing-related R&D Emphasis in SBIR

Executive Order (E.O.) 13329 requires Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) agencies, to the extent permitted by law and in a manner consistent with the mission of that department or agency, to give high priority within the SBIR programs to manufacturing-related research and development (R&D). "Manufacturing-related" is defined as "relating to manufacturing processes, equipment and systems; or manufacturing workforce skills and protection."

E.O. 13329 is intended to help ensure that federal agencies properly and effectively assist the private sector in its manufacturing innovation so as to sustain a strong manufacturing sector in the US economy by advancing innovation, including innovation in manufacturing, through small businesses.

It is DOT's intent to increase the proportion of its SBIR awards to manufacturing-related R&D projects.

Click for further information:

• Executive Order (E.O.) 13329
• Definition of Manufacturing-related R&D
• "Manufacturing in America" Report
• Department of Transportation Implementation Plan of Executive Order 13329: Encouraging Innovation in Manufacturing
• Annual DOT SBIR Report on Manufacturing

More Detailed Program Information

• US DOT SBIR Program Three-Phase Process
• SBIR Brochure: PDF, 309 KB (Posted 07/20/11)
• US DOT Modal Administrations
• IDEA - Innovations Deserving Exploratory Analysis Programs
• Eligibility Requirements
• Subcontracting Opportunities