U.S. Department of Defense - Missile Defense Agency

U.S. Department of Defense - Missile Defense Agency

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SBIR/STTR

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) /
Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs

MDA's Innovation, Science & Technology (MDA/DV) administers the agency's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which are the fourth largest in the Department of Defense. The agency's focus for the SBIR and STTR programs is to pursue technologies that could spur a revolutionary leap or enhancement, decrease the time required to transform them into products for insertion into the Missile Defense System, and benefit from commercialization of the technology. MDA prepares research topics which are relevant to components of the missile defense system. Radar and Electro-optic Sensors, Manufacturing, Materials Development, Modeling and Simulation, Command and Control, and Propulsion are all example topic areas.

The MDA SBIR/STTR process has three phases. In Phase I, companies apply for a six-month award to test the scientific, technical, commercial feasibility of a particular concept. All companies who receive a Phase I award are allowed to propose a two-year Phase-II project to further develop the concept, usually to the prototype stage. Phase III is the commercialization and transition phase of the process. Once the company completes Phase II there is an expectation on the company to obtain funding from the private sector and/or non-SBIR government sources to develop the concept into a product for sale in the private sector and/or military markets.

While STTR has the same objectives as SBIR regarding the involvement of small businesses in federal research and development and the commercialization of innovative technologies, the STTR program requires teaming with universities, federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs), or other non-profit research institutions.

SBIR/STTR Success Story Submission Form

SBIR/STTR Resources

Contact Us

  • MDA SBIR/STTR Program Management Office
    sbirsttr@mda.mil
  • To Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse, Please Contact:
    MDA Fraud, Waste & Abuse
    Hotline: (256) 313-9699
    MDAHotline@mda.mil
  • DoD Inspector General (IG) Fraud, Waste & Abuse
    Hotline: (800) 424-9098
    hotline@dodig.mil
    Successful prosecutions of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse, including those related to SBIR and STTR, can be found on the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General website.
  • SBIR/STTR FWA Convictions and Settlement Agreements by Calendar Year
    SBA site for Fraud, Waste and Abuse