These powerful lobbyists were successful last spring in getting some support in both the House (H.R.4149) and the Senate (S.2384). These are identical bills that do more to muddy the waters than to clarify them.

Informed sources report that the House Small Business Committee will try to move a large bill during the week of September 20, concerning the reauthorization of the SBA that would include language (perhaps stronger than the original bills) to make the changes to the SBIR program that the lobbyists want. By acting in this last minute "quiet" manner, the special interest groups will avoid hearings, studies, and public comments, all of which could threaten their special interests. The lobbyists know that there is opposition to their special interests, but also understand that the opposition will be subordinated to the more important "must pass" legislation that needs to be completed by the targeted adjournment date of Oct 1.

Compromises Sought
The opponents of this action are not against VC participation. In fact it was proposed that VCs could have majority ownership and control of a small business if the VC itself was a qualifying small business. However, this was of little interest to these VC / Biotech organizations.

Although there has been no official request for public comments nor studies on this subject, the SBIR Gateway opened an informal discussion group and non-scientific straw poll last fall. Over 78% of the companies participating voted against a proposal to allow large corporate VCs to own and control small businesses participating in SBIR competition. Only 18% supported a rule change, and the remainder didn't care.

Completely ignored by these special interest groups is the fact that large VCs can participate with "non-majority" ownership of the small business, and after phase II into phase III, the VC can own majority interest in the small business.

Many seasoned SBIR veterans believe that "slipping" this legislation through without comment, debate and studies, will result in greatly diminished opportunities for the small businesses that this program was designed to serve. In addition, rural and smaller states will be put at a major disadvantage because of the lack of institutional VC funding in those states. The result will be a widening gap between the richest SBIR states (i.e., California and Massachusetts) and the smaller rural states such as Wyoming, New Mexico, Montana and Maine.

What You Can Do
Although there is opposition to the special interests, it will be subordinated to the more important "must pass" legislation that must be completed by Congress's target adjournment date of Oct 1. For this reason, small businesses must become pro-active and take action right away.

Call your Congressional Representatives, especially those on the House Small Business Committee and the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship immediately! Tell them you do not want companies owned and controlled by big business competing against you or other small businesses in the SBIR program. Stress that changing the SBIR legislation warrants hearings and a full public debate in order to determine the best interests of the small businesses this program was designed to serve.

Other Sources
The Small Business Technology Coalition (SBTC) is a strong advocate for small businesses and the SBIR program. They are a non-partisan, nonprofit industry association of companies dedicated to promoting the creation and growth of research-intensive, technology-based U.S. small business.

Contact Information
A list of House and Senate contacts are available at www.zyn.com/sbir/articles/biocon-vc2.htm

The Solicitation, which contains detailed information on the parameters of the SBIR program and how to submit a proposal, and Topics are available at www.dodsbir.net/solicitation.

There have been two revisions to the MDA 04.4 SBIR Solicitation Instructions:

1. MDA will now allow a $50,000 option for a period of 6 months on Phase I proposals. The total value of a Phase I proposal with option can not exceed $150,000.
2. MDA will continue its Fast Track program.

The MDA topic list includes over 90 technical areas that encompass Lasers, Optics, Sensors, Innovative Software, Operating Systems, Materials, Composites and missile launch systems to name a few.

Review the MDA Instructions at the beginning of the MDA Topics file at www.dodsbir.net/solicitation before proposal submission.

Visit the DoD Topic Search website to quickly and easily find topics by keyword across all DoD components participating in the current solicitation. Once you find a topic of interest to you, remember to read the Component-specific instructions for that topic.

Technical Q&A through SITIS
Since DoD began accepting proposals on September 15, 2004, no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed, but proposers may submit written questions through the SBIR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS), in which the questioner and respondent remain anonymous and all questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing. SITIS closes to new questions on October 1, 2004. All questions and answers will be posted through October 15, 2004. All proposers are advised to monitor SITIS at www.dodsbir.net/sitis during the solicitation period for questions and answers and other information relevant to the topic under which they are proposing.

Proposal Submission
Proposals must be submitted via the DOD SBIR Submission website at www.dodsbir.net/submission following the instructions contained in the solicitation, including the instructions specified in the topic files for the DoD component to which you are applying. Submissions must include the proposal cover sheets, technical proposal, Company Commercialization Report, and cost proposal to be considered a complete proposal. Small businesses submitting proposals through the Submission website may modify their proposals at any time until the solicitation closing on October 15, 2004 at 6am EST. Offerors bear the risk of website inaccessibility due to heavy usage in the final hours before the solicitation closing time, so plan ahead and submit early.

DoD SBIR Help Desk
If you have any questions please contact the DoD SBIR Help Desk at 866-724-7457 or by email at sbirhelp@brtrc.com.

For a full topic description, visit the NSF website at: www.eng.nsf.gov/sbir/MI.htm

To Register: contact Bill Sellers at TechConnect East, (208) 523-9898, or via e-mail at wts@iictr.com return to CONTENTS

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5.0 LOOKING FOR WAYS TO STRETCH YOUR COMPANY'S CAPABILITIES? Lean Enterprise 101 gives you hands-on strategies to succeed! Streamline operations, improve quality as you maximize sales and profits. If your company isn't currently operating as a Lean Enterprise, you're simply not maximizing your profitability. That's because, be definition, a Lean Enterprise produces more with existing resources by eliminating waste and creating better workflow. Putting Lean Enterprise strategies into practice can be a rigorous process--but hundreds of companies have found the ultimate rewards well worth the effort. The first step toward joining them is to attend Lean Enterprise 101, the one-day seminar that covers all of the basics. Look to Lean Enterprise 101 for solutions to: - production lag time - rising costs with static reveneues - over- or under-protection - product quality issues - ineffective internal communications Lean Enterprise 101 can also help you: - reduce cycle times and inventory - minimize work-in-progress - increase capacity and productivity - improve lead times - increase sales and profits Pull/Kanban Systems to techniques like Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Work Cells and Set-up Reduction, this event offers a comprehensive overview of the tools you need to step up to the many advantages of Lean Enteprise. You'll even see a live imulation that shows you just how dramatic the improvements can be. Practice what you've learned with a live, hands-on simulation presented by the region's best resource. Lean Enterprise 101 is the best training available. Not only does it teach Lean fundamentals, it even lets you practice what you've learned with a live, hands-on simulation. MAMTC's Lean professionals will guide you step-by-step through the proven principles that helped one Wyoming manufacturer increase inventory turnover from 17 to 52 times per year--and profitability by 17 percent. Yopu'll also learn how to adopt the Lean techniques used by a printing company to reduce operating costs by more tham $800,000 in the first year alone, even as they increased production output by 16 percent! Your guides: MAMTC instructors whose years of experience have garnered them a well-earned reputation as the region's unrivaled experts in Lean Enterprise. No one knows the subject better, and no place offers a more effective one-day "boot camp" for learning the fundamentals. Casper Wyoming - October 14, 2004 Denver, Colorado - October 19, 2004 Please contact MAMTC at toll-free number of 888-649-4333 for more details regarding registration, class sites and additional seminar locations. return to CONTENTS

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6.0 SAVE THE DATE! NOVEMBER 17th, SBIR EVENT IN CASPER! On Wednesday, November 17th, the Wyoming Business Council will sponsor a two session SBIR event. An afternoon session will be open to the public and will focus on either introductory SBIR information or on the development of Phase II proposals. A morning session will review the WSSI program and will target economic development professionals, reviewers, mentors and other invited state agency representatives. So, mark your calendar for a trip to Casper November17th! return to CONTENTS 7.0 TWO GRANT WRITING WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES HOW TO WRITE GRANT PROPOSALS This two-day workshop is designed for small business concerns as well as county and non-profit personnel who are interested in writing grant proposals, have written grant proposals, or have assisted another person in grant proposal submission. This will be a hands-on intensive seminar. The following topics will be discussed: Introduction to the Grant Process Getting Started - Pre-proposal Activities Determining the Funders Writing a Proposal Demonstrating Accountability Evaluating the Proposal, Submission, and Follow-up Implementing the Project Come to the workshop with a RFP/solicitation/project in hand - either one you have begun or an idea for a proposal that you would like to complete. Each participant will receive a workbook that provides guidance through the proposal process and will begin to prepare their grant proposal. Workshop Facilitator: Sheela Schermetzler Before starting her own Resource Development Consulting business in March 2001, Sheela was the Administrative Grants Manager for Campbell County. Sheela has assisted the Campbell County departments in receiving grant funds totaling over eighteen million dollars. Sheela is also familiar and has assisted with SBIR proposals. This workshop will be held in Gillette: Limited Enrollment October 29 & 30, 8-5 pm (Lunch on your own from Noon to 1:00 pm) Campbell County Cooperative Extension Powder River Room 1000 Douglas Hwy FEE: $100 per person for the first person from an organization, and $75 for others from the same organization. This fee includes books and materials. For detailed information or to register call 307-660-1811 or 307-761-2116. GRANTS 101: PROFESSIONAL GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP THE GRANT INSTITUTE University of Montana Missoula, MT Conference Center - Room 210 October 18 - 20, 2004 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM The Grant Institute’s Grants 101 Course is an intensive and detailed introduction to the process, structure, and skill of professional proposal writing. This course is characterized by its ability to act as a thorough overview, introduction, and refresher at the same time. In this course, participants will learn the entire proposal writing process and complete the course with a solid understanding of not only the ideal proposal structure, but a holistic understanding of the essential factors, which determine whether or not a program gets funded. Through the completion of interactive exercises and activities, participants will complement expert lectures by putting proven techniques into practice. This course is designed for both the beginner looking for a thorough introduction and the intermediate looking for a refresher course that will strengthen their grant acquisition skills. This class, simply put, is designed to get results by creating professional grant proposal writers. Participants will become competent program planning and proposal writing professionals after successful completion of the Grants 101 course. In three active and informative days, students will be exposed to the art of successful grant writing practices, and led on a journey that ends with a masterful grant proposal. Grants 101 consists of three (3) courses that will be completed during the three-day workshop: FUNDAMENTALS OF PROGRAM PLANNING This course is centered on the belief that "it’s all about the program." This intensive course will teach professional program development essentials and program evaluation. While most grant writing "workshops" treat program development and evaluation as separate from the writing of a proposal, this class will teach students the relationship between overall program planning and grant writing. PROFESSIONAL GRANT WRITING Designed for both the novice and experienced grant writer, this course will make each student an overall proposal writing specialist. In addition to teaching the basic components of a grant proposal, successful approaches, and the do’s and don’ts of grant writing, this course is infused with expert principles that will lead to a mastery of the process. Strategy resides at the forefront of this course’s intent to illustrate grant writing as an integrated, multidimensional, and dynamic endeavor. Each student will learn to stop writing the grant and to start writing the story. Ultimately, this class will illustrate how each component of the grant proposal represents an opportunity to use proven techniques for generating support. GRANT RESEARCH At its foundation, this course will address the basics of foundation, corporation, and government grant research. However, this course will teach a strategic funding research approach that encourages students to see research not as something they do before they write a proposal, but as an integrated part of the grant seeking process. Students will be exposed to online and database research tools, as well as publications and directories that contain information about foundation, corporation, and government grant opportunities. Focusing on funding sources and basic social science research, this course teaches students how to use research as part of a strategic grant acquisition effort. REGISTRATION $597.00 tuition includes all materials and certificates. Each student will receive: · The Grant Institute Certificate in Professional Grant writing · The Grant Institute’s Guide to Successful Grant Writing · A to Z Grant Writing · The Grant Institute Grant Writer’s Workbook with sample proposals, forms, and outlines REGISTRATION METHODS OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 1) On-Line - Visit www.thegrantinstitute.com and click on the Registration area. Fill out the online registration form completely. We’ll send your confirmation by e-mail. 2) By Phone - Call toll free (888) 824-4424 to register by phone. Our friendly Program Coordinators will be happy to assist you and answer your questions. 3) By E-mail - Send an e-mail with your name, organization, and basic contact information to info@thegrantinstitute.com and we will reserve your slot and send your Confirmation Packet. return to CONTENTS 8.0 UPCOMING CONFERENCES/TRAININGS/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS 8.1 (SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURIAL ECONOMY) SEE YOUR FUTURE "A VISION FOR WYOMING" Come visualize the future of Wyoming with us as we explore future trends that enable sustainability while nurturing our entrepreneurs. The Small Business Development Center, UW College of Business, and the William D. Ruckelshaus Institute & the School of Environment and Natural Resources are sponsoring the SEE Your Future symposium on October 28, 2004 in Laramie, WY on the University of Wyoming campus. SEE Your Future will engage participants, speakers, and panelists from across the state and nation about sustainability; how it impacts business practices, and its profit potential for businesses in Wyoming. Products and Services are produced and packaged using a minimal amount of materials and energy and are non-polluting Products are designed to be reused, recycled and reduce waste and its impact on the environment Eliminate harmful chemicals or hazards to human health or the environment Employees are valued and encouraged to use creativity and the work environment enhances efficiency Businesses respect and enhance their communities economically, socially, culturally, and physically. SEE Your Future Symposium Speakers: John Renesch, author of Getting to the Better Future: A Matter of Conscious Choosing Michael Shuman, author of Going Local: Creating Self-Reliant Communities in the Global Age Renee Moorefield, co-author of Driven By Wealth: The 7 Essentials for Healthy, Sustainable REsults in 21st Century Business and Leadership, Hillary Mizia with New Belgium Brewery This event will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., October 28 in the Union Ballroom on the campus of the University of Wyoming, Laramie. Cost is $45 and registration and additional information is available on-line at: www.uwyo.edu/sbdc or by calling the SBDC State Office at 800-348-5194 return to CONTENTS 8.2 NATIONAL FALL SBIR CONFERENCE IN BOISE, ID NOVEMBER 1 - 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. When & Where: Boise, ID November 1 - 4, 2004. The entire SBIR/STTR Conference and the Small Business Tech Expo will take place at the Boise Centre on the Grove at 9th and Front Streets. Room blocks at three hotels in the Boise, Idaho downtown area have been reserved: the Grove Hotel, the Statehouse Inn, and the Owyhee Plaza Hotel. The Grove is located within a block of the Centre, the Statehouse is about a block away, and the Owyhee is about two blocks away. To receive the special Conference hotel rates, be sure to specify that you are attending the SBIR CONFERENCE. ALL hotels require a credit card guarantee. Cancellation policies may vary. Be sure and check with the hotel of your choice. The Advance Full Conference Registration fee, received by Oct. 11th, is $350, after Oct. 11th and On-Site will be $425. All information including the agenda are now available at the conference SBIRWorld web site at www.sbirworld.com/boise return to CONTENTS 8.3 CO-OP AMERICAS'S GREEN BUSINESS CONFERENCE, November 3-5 in San Francisco Immerse yourself in the green business revolution at this hands-on conference. Join the conversation with other pioneers in the progressive business movement. Learn from your peers in this value-packed three-day event as you discuss the many ways to build your business and a proprerous, sustainable economy. Ramada Plaza Hotel International, San Francisco November 3 - 5 $395 - $495 Details available on-line: www.coopamerican.biz return to CONTENTS 8.4 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. return to CONTENTS 9.0 COMPETITION TIP: REVIEWER PERCEPTION COUNTS!!! The purpose of a SBIR proposal is to sell an innovative concept to the target agency. Therefore, what counts is the perception of the agency reviewers and selection officials - those who make the award/decline decisions. To submit a proposal that "sells," it is vital to "get underneath the hats" of the proposal evaluation and selection officials, and fully understand quality characteristics that must be integrated into the proposal during the competition process. For example, the use of a key university researcher as a consultant may make the difference between award and decline to the evaluators, even though the proposal writers believed the consultant unnecessary. Or a university spin-off small business may strengthen their proposal enough to win by the addition of a veteran businessperson to the proposed team, even though they may think they have the "business aspects" of the proposal under control on their own. Each agency solicitation is very explicit in delineating the official criteria used to evaluate SBIR proposals. While there are some differences among the agency criteria, generally there are four: Merits of the innovation Credentials of the performing team Quality of the work plan Commercialization potential and plans The competition team must strive to prepare a proposal that excels in meeting each of these criteria to insure the best chances for a win. Communications and relationships with cognizant agency representatives and other networking activity may reveal additional key insights into the proposal evaluation process as well. People tend to deliver what they know how to do best. Consequently, scientists are likely to prepare a proposal with excellent technical content, but possibly deficient (for example) on commercialization approaches. Marketing whizzes may have a good business plans, but be shallow technically. The key to a "compleat" technical proposal is teamwork in its preparation, and critical draft reviews from a broad range of perspectives, to insure that all the evaluation bases are covered. So focus on preparing a proposal that has high quality as PERCEIVED BY THE CUSTOMER reviewers and evaluators. They are the ones that count!!! This competition tip first appeared in the June 9, 2000 issue of the Wyoming SBIR Newsletter. Follow this link to a complete set of Competition Tips. return to CONTENTS 10.0 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. return to CONTENTS END