July 2, 2004
Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) Newsletter
No. 18-04
This biweekly newsletter is published by the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI). Please visit our website at www.uwyo.edu/sbir for complete program information (including links to participating federal agencies, support agencies, conferences, archives of this newsletter, etc.) Contact jillkline@vcn.com to be added to or removed from the Distribution List for this newsletter.
SOLICITATION COUNTDOWN
Wyoming Phase 0: due 5:00 p.m., 8/1/04; 29 days
HSARPA: due 7/14/04; 12 days
NIH SBIR/STTR (Grants) (including CDC, FDA): due 8/1/04; 29 days
DOD SBIR 2004.3: due 8/12/04; 41 days
NIH AIDS Related Topics: due 9/1/04; 60 days
Other NIH Deadlines
CONTENTS
1.0 "Seed Capital Grants and Intellectual Property Protection Opportunities For Technology-Based Enterprise" Program To Be Held In Jackson
2.0 USDA SBIR FY 2005 Program Solicitation Now Available/Changes Posted
3.0 HHS/ACF SBIR Presolicitation Notice
4.0 The ABC's of Government Contracting Seminar Offered July 15 In Northglenn, Colorado
5.0 Venture West Network Inc. Call For Proposals Due July 5 - Meeting July 29
6.0 Charles Cleland, USDA SBIR Program Director Comes To Wyoming August 16
7.0 Upcoming Conferences/Trainings/Seminars/Workshops
8.0 Competition Tip: Certify With Care!!!
9.0 Acknowledgements And Publication Information
1.0 SEED CAPITAL GRANTS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PROTECTION OPPORTUNITIES FOR TECHNOLOGY-BASED ENTERPRISE PROGRAM TO BE HELD IN JACKSON
JACKSON - Jackson Hole Technology Initiative encourages local entrepreneurs
to attend a free seminar on funding opportunities and product development on
Wednesday, July 14 in Jackson.
The presentation "Seed Capital Grants and Intellectual Property Protection
Opportunities For Technology-Based Enterprise" will be held from
10 am - Noon July 14 in the Gold Pan Room of the 49er Hotel in Jackson. |
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The seminar will offer information a Wyoming program helping entrepreneurs prepare a competitive proposal for federal funding from Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The seminar also will focus on how the Wyoming Research Products Center can help entrepreneurs protect intellectual property and take a product to market.
"We want to further encourage the development of the Jackson Hole area as a hotbed for technology entrepreneurs," said Gene Watson, program manager of the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative. "Already six technology companies in the area have received funding assistance through the Wyoming SBIR program."
The Wyoming Business Council, University of Wyoming Research Office and the Jackson Hole Technology Initiative are sponsoring the event.
The Jackson area is developing a budding technology sector. So far six companies in the area have received SBIR Phase 0 grants: ALCES Technology, Rocky Mountain Greenhouses, Inc., Square One Systems Design, Controlled Oxygen Delivery Systems, AquaMatrix International, Inc. and Flashmaster, LLC. ALCES Technology and AquaMatrix International, Inc. have received additional federal funding.
SBIR PROGRAM: The SBIR Phase 0 program, a project of the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative, provides $5,000 grants for accessing federal funding. The initiative is funded by the Wyoming Business Council and administered by the University of Wyoming Vice-President for Research. Under the federal SBIR program, Wyoming businesses have the potential to receive up to $850,000 through a two-stage process. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/sbir/.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER: The Wyoming Research Products Center, a technology transfer center, helps inventors develop technology innovations into marketable products. The technology center is a collaborative effort between the University of Wyoming Research Office and the Wyoming Business Council. For more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/rpc.
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2.0 USDA SBIR FY 2005 PROGRAM SOLICITATION (PHASE I & II) NOW AVAILABLE/CHANGES POSTED
The USDA has released their SBIR solicitation (RFA). The opening date is July 1, 2004 with a closing date of August 31, 2004 for Phase I and February 3, 2005 for Phase II.
IMPORTANT CHANGES IN THE USDA SBIR FY 2005 PROGRAM SOLICITATION
Submission of Proposals - Proposals must be received at the USDA/CSREES/Proposal Services Unit by close of business, 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, on the program deadline as indicated under section 6.1 of this program solicitation. This year proposals may be scanned by CSREES into Portable Document Format (PDF). Applicants must adhere strictly to the proposal format outlined in section 3.3 of this solicitation. Failure to do so could negatively impact the display and subsequent review of your application.
Proposals are encouraged that focus on problems dealing with bioterrorism (directed at agriculture, the food supply, or rural communities) and homeland security of rural communities. Proposals addressing agriculturally-related manufacturing technologies are also encouraged.
Recent changes in SBIR Legislation - The SBIR program has been reauthorized through 2008 (P.L. 106-554). The authorizing SBIR legislation requires two significant programmatic changes:
Commercialization Plan: All Phase II applications must include a succinct commercialization plan. See instructions for specific details (See Section 3.3(Q)).
Data Collection Requirement: Each Phase II applicant will be required to provide information for the Small Business Administration Tech-Net Database System (See Section 3.3(Q)).
Revised Topic Areas - Revisions have been made to the following topic areas: 8.3 Animal Production and Protection; 8.4 Air, Water and Soils; 8.5 Food Science and Nutrition; and 8.6 Rural and Community Development
New Topic Area - A new topic area dealing with Animal Waste Management has been added, and will be referred to as 8.11.
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3.0 HHS/ACF SBIR Presolicitation Notice
The Health and Human Service's Administration for Children and Families (ACF), has issued a presolicitation notice of their upcoming SBIR solicitation. The solicitation opening date is not set but is expected to open by July 5, 2004. The topics for this offering are:
› ACYF-01-04 - Identification and Development of Effective Models and Implementation Strategies for Same-Race or Cross-Race Mentoring Programs for African-American Youth
› ACYF-02-04 - Developing Innovative Analytical Tools, Methods and Materials for use by Head Start Grantee Agencies in Conducting Wage Comparability and Related Studies
› ADD-01-04 - Identification and Development of Effective Program Models and Implementation Strategies to Enhance the Effectiveness and Efficiency of State and Local Projects Supported by the Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), under its Three Major Programs ? State Councils on Developmental Disabilities, Protection and Advocacy Systems, and University Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research and Service
› ANA-01-04 - Enhancing the Potential Impact of Federally Designated Special Initiatives Designed to Foster Economic Development in Native American Communities: Effective Models and Policy Implications
The HHS/ACF SBIR program is a contracts form of award. General questions regarding policy and procedures should be addressed to Dr. Hossein Faris at (202) 205-4922. The contracting portion of this program is handled by the HHS Division of Acquisition Management, Program Support Center (PSC).
The presolicitation notice is available of the FedBizOpps web site at: www1.eps.gov/spg/HHS/PSC/DAM/04Y005016/listing.html.
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4.0 THE ABC's OF GOVERNMENT CONTRACTING SEMINAR OFFERED JULY 15 IN NORTHGLENN, COLORADO
This 4 hour course is a must have for the Phase I and Phase II award winner or the "new" government accountant. Russ Farmer, President and founder of PBC, Inc. covers important issues regarding Accounting, Budgeting, and Contracting with the federal government. Russ has identified and answered many questions and training issues that small businesses encounter when dealing with the federal government. (This session also includes audits.)
Cost: $99 includes refreshments and snacks
Time: 1-5 PM Location- Northglenn Holiday Inn - 10 E 120th Ave (I-25 & 120th)
Date: July 15, 2004
For details and registration contact: Kim Keating at: 303-427-1312 x200 or via email at: kkeating@pbcinc.com
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5.0 VENTURE WEST NETWORK INC. CALL FOR PROPOSALS DUE JULY 5 - MEETING JULY 29
A VERY SPECIAL EVENT
On July 29, 2004, four premier startup entrepreneurs will publicly pitch their companies to a distinguished panel of angel investors and venture capitalists. Think you can handle the pressure? Then apply to make a pitch - and get your venture in front of several active investors at the same time.
WHY APPLY?
If selected, you’ll have the chance to make an impression on professionals that actively invest in regional companies. You’ll also have the chance to impress your colleagues, polish your pitch and attract crucial support for your business.
Details of the selection process:
In order to apply, you must submit an executive summary of your business plan to plans@venturewest.org by midnight, July 5. Finalists chosen by the screening committee will be required to submit full business plans and five-minute PowerPoint presentations by July 12. Up to four entrepreneurs will be selected to participate in the event scheduled for July 29.
MEETING DETAILS:
Venture West’s mission: To support a diversified Wyoming economy through entrepreneurship by providing networking and educational opportunities that create and foster a climate that enables entrepreneurship to thrive.
WHEN: Thursday, July 29, 2004
WHERE: Radisson Inn, 2313 Soldier Springs Road, Hwy 287 and I-80, Laramie, Wyoming
COSTS: Afternoon workshop: $15 for members; $20 for nonmembers
Dinner - $30 for members; $40 for nonmembers
RSVP: Call 303- 831-4133 or register online at http://www.venturewest.org
DETAILS: 2:00 pm-5:00 pm - Afternoon Workshop: "Survival of the Smartest: Creating Success Through Fundamental Business Planning."
Business success depends on making the right decisions (and the occasional wrong one). This program is designed to walk business owners through evaluating those decisions via a business plan by providing input from business planning experts on all the critical components of a business plan i.e. finance, marketing, and management.
Dinner Program and Networking - 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Evening Program-MIT-Style Forum- The MIT Forum was started at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a time-honored format for business plan presentation and critique. The program was designed to allow an entrepreneur access to advice and criticism from experts within his industry. Dynamic discussion between entrepreneurs and panelists.
Venture West is a non-profit club dedicated to advancing entrepreneurship in Wyoming and the northern Rockies through education and networking. Venture West does not sell, broker, or buy securities.
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6.0 CHARLES CLELAND, USDA SBIR PROGRAM DIRECTOR COMES TO WYOMING AUGUST 16
Plan a trip to Laramie for an in-depth session with US Department of Agriculture SBIR Progam Director Charles Cleland Monday, August 16. Tentatively the program will be held on campus (Place: TBA) beginning a 9:00 a.m. and ending early afternoon. Cleland will be available to visit one-on-one with participants. Lunch will be provided.
Watch the WSSI newsletter for additional details.
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7.0 UPCOMING CONFERENCES/TRAININGS/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
7.1 Department of Homeland Security Conference & NDIA Exhibition
July 12 - 15, 2004
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, California
Objectives:
* Gain an understanding of DHS S&T's objectives, requirements and processes.
* Meet senior management from DHS S&T, including Program Managers from the Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA), and learn how to participate in the challenge to bring innovative homeland security solutions to reality.
* See and discuss innovative technologies from Industry, National and Federal Labs, and Academia as they pertain to the new challenges in the world of homeland security.
There is NO on-site registration for this conference. All conference registration, "Attendee Information" forms, and Foreign Visitor Request Form/Justification information must be submitted & received by NDIA NLT 5:00 p.m. EST, Thursday, July 1st, 2004
Complete details are available at: www.dhstech.com/index.html
7.2 National Small Business Conference
SBIR Field Hearing - Our Views and Yours
As part of NDIA's National Small Business Conference, July 19-21, 2004 in San Diego, CA, there will be an SBIR Field Hearing entitled: Our Views and Yours.
Congress has directed the National Research Council to undertake a review of the SBIR programs of the DoD, NIH, DOE, NASA and the NSF. This is your chance to hear the status of the review and provide direct feedback regarding your concerns and suggestions with members of the review team.
Topics to be discussed include restrictions on venture capital, benefits of the program to government and private sector, program execution issues, and potential changes for consideration by Congress.
The session will be moderated by Dr.Charles W. Wessner of the National Academies and include the Honorable Jacques Gansler, Ph.D., Former Under Secretary of Defense (AT&L), OSD, as a Candidate Speaker.
The overall goal of the NDIA National Small Business Conference is to increase small business access to government contracts. Targeted primarily at an audience of small businesses already established in the federal marketplace, the conference will feature plenary session speakers focusing on the important role of small business in the defense industrial base, concurrent breakouts on a variety of specific related topics and one-on- one "matchmaking" sessions.
Details are available from the NDIA web site at:
http://register.ndia.o rg/interview/register.ndia? PID=Brochure&SID=_19T16MEQ6&MID=4140
For addional information contact: Veronica Allen at: 703-247-2570 or vallen@ndia.org
7.3 NATIONAL FALL SBIR/STTR CONFERENCE IN BOISE, IDAHO, NOV 1-4
Monday, November 1 through Thursday, November 4!
Description: The National Science Foundation, in association with the Department of Defense and the Small Business Administration, and all 11 SBIR agencies is sponsoring this 2004 National Fall SBIR/STTR Conference.
Program Managers and representatives from all participating agencies will provide insight into how to work with their respective agencies and answer your own special questions during the one-on- one opportunities.
Who Should Attend: Sales and Marketing Professionals, Small Business Owners, Entrepreneurs, University Researchers with a business/entrepreneurial streak, Scientist seeking commercialization strategies, all small businesses in need of securing federal funding resources.
Extra Bonus: Conference participationguarantees enty into the co-located Small Business Tech Expo (SBTE) sponsored in part by NASA. The expo will showcase new technologies, support services avialable to small business and technology development, and commercialization opportunities.
7.4 AG TECHNOLOGY SHOW SEEKS AG INVENTORS
BILLINGS, MT -- Ag Inventors can now sign up for the 3rd Annual Ag Inventors Contest to be held during the Ag Technology Show January 13 - 15, 2005 in Billings, Montana at the Holiday Inn Trade Center. The contest is open to inventors who have an idea, an innovation or an invention that has a farm and or ranch application, and is commercially viable and original.
There is no cost to enter and the deadline for entry to the contest is December 3, 2004. "A jury committee will select 7 finalists out of all of the entries submitted to the show organizers. The inventor finalists will be invited to display their idea or invention at the three day tradeshow free of charge," said Cynthia Berst, tradeshow producer. "A panel of 5 judges will select the $1,000 Top Inventor Award and show attendees can vote for their favorite inventor for the People's Choice Award."
Berst is hosting the Ag Inventors Contest during the Ag Technology Show, a regional farm & ranch tradeshow, because of the valuable exposure for the inventors. "The contest finalists gain tremendous access to manufacturing and marketing companies and to the various government agencies that assist them how to turn their innovation into a viable business." said Berst.
The winners of the Ag Inventors Contest 2004 were Fred Davison of Highwood, MT who won the $1,000 Top Inventor Award for his E-Z Reach Gate Winch. The People's Choice Award was given to Kent Granmoe of Glendive, MT for his Hydraulic Pressure Relief Tool. "The contestants came from all over Montana and Wyoming and all of them received great exposure with an article about the Ag Inventors Contest and their idea in their hometown newspapers," explained Berst about the benefits of contestants entering the contest.
A complete set of inventor rules and entry forms can be obtained by interested inventors by writing to Cynthia Berst, Bright Cat Productions, PO Box 20044, Billings, MT 59104-0044 or by calling (406) 855-5765 or by email brightcatproductions@yahoo.com.
"This is going to be another fantastic tradeshow and inventor's contest," said Berst. "Farmers, ranchers, exhibitors, attendees - everyone will have an opportunity to see the newest, latest and greatest innovations that are up and coming or already in the marketplace today at the tradeshow."
The Ag Technology Show 2005 is the place to be if you're in the farming and ranching community for both Ag buyer and seller. The show will be opening at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 13, 2005 and closing at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 15, 2005. Exhibitors and attendees come from a large regional area and both admission and parking are free.
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8.0 COMPETITION TIP: CERTIFY WITH CARE!!!
Submission of a SBIR proposal requires that the small business provide certain certifications. As examples, some certifications from the USDA solicitation are listed below:
"The above concern certifies that it meets the first two criteria of a small business concern as stated in this solicitation or that it will meet that definition at time of award." (Yes/No)
"Is the above concern affiliated with another organization?" (Yes/No)
"The above concern certifies that the Project Director's primary employment (at least 51%) will be with proposing firm at the time of any resulting award and during the conduct of the proposed research" (Yes/No)
"The above concern certifies a minimum of two-thirds of the research (phase I) or one-half the research (phase II) will be performed by this firm" (Yes/No)
"Do you plan to send, or have you sent, this proposal or a similar one to any other Federal agency?" (Yes/No)
Generally, the Project Director (Principal Investigator) and an authorized small business representative must provide the required certifications by signing the proposal cover sheet. The certifications should be prepared carefully to insure that they are answered truthfully. Any uncertainty in answering the certifications should be resolved before affixing signatures to them.
Sometimes, small businesses complete and sign the certifications almost as an afterthought in the SBIR proposal preparation process. Consequently, the process of providing required certifications may not be given sufficient attention. In some cases, false certifications may be submitted knowingly and intentionally.
The certifications are a serious matter and must be treated as such. The seriousness is made clear in the NIH solicitation certification form that states in part: "I am aware that any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statements or claims may subject me to criminal, civil, or administrative penalties." Criminal proceedings and judgments have been brought against small businesses because false or misleading certifications were submitted with SBIR proposals.
Good business practice and common sense dictate that proposal certifications be completed truthfully and with full knowledge of the meaning of each certification statement. However, small businesses need not be overly scrupulous in providing the certifications. If the responses to the requested certifications are clear, provide them accordingly. If there are uncertainties, appropriate agency personnel may be helpful in resolving them. Professional advice may be a good investment.
It is always good practice to disclose any uncertainties or other unresolved issues related to the certification process to appropriate agency representatives. Make the disclosures complete, and let them know that you want to "follow the rules." Do this early in the proposal process, and solicit their guidance.
So treat SBIR proposal certifications as a serious matter; because it is!!!
This competition tip first appeared in the April 28, 2000 issue of the Wyoming SBIR Newsletter. Follow this link to a complete set of Competition Tips.
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9.0 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND PUBLICATION INFORMATION
TO BE ADDED TO OR REMOVED FROM THE DISTRIBUTION LIST FOR THIS NEWSLETTER, SEND NAME, ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, AND EMAIL ADDRESS TO jillkline@vcn.com.
Prepared by: Jill Kline, WSSI Outreach Coordinator, 307.682.2660 or toll free in Wyoming, 866.703.3280, jillkline@vcn.com, and Gene Watson, WSSI Program Manager, 307.742.7162, ewatson@wyoming.com.
This newsletter is published every other week as part of the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI). The mission of the Initiative is to increase the number of federal Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Program awards to Wyoming. The Wyoming Business Council (WBC) funds the initiative which is administered by the University of Wyoming Research Office. Please contact Jill Kline (see contact information above) with your comments.
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