November 5, 2004
Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) Newsletter
No. 27-04
(Past Newsletter Issues)
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., 12/1/04; 26 days
NIH SBIR/STTR (Grants) (including CDC, FDA): due 12/1/04; 25 days
NSF SBIR/STTR: due 12/8/04; 33 days
DOE SBIR/STTR: due 12/13/04; 38 days
DoD SBIR SBIR/STTR: due 1/14/05; 70 days
DOC-NOAA: due 1/19/05; 75 days
Other NIH Deadlines
CONTENTS
1.0 Five Businesses Represent Wyoming At The National SBIR Conference In Boise
2.0 Missed The National Conference? Get A Taste Of It November 17!
An Introduction To The SBIR Program And Phase I Development Workshop In Casper
3.0 DOD SBIR 05.1 Solicitation Released
4.0 WSSI Outreach Office Invites You To An Open House
5.0 What's New At USDA...News Presented At The National Conference
6.0 Dr. Joseph Hennessey, NSF Encourages Submission To the NSF December 8 Manufacturing Innovation Solicitation!
7.0 NIH Program Manager Sends Updates/Reminders
8.0 Upcoming Conferences/Trainings/Seminars/Workshops
9.0 Competition Tip: Teams Win!!!
10.0 Acknowledgements And Publication Information
1.0 FIVE BUSINESSES REPRESENT WYOMING AT THE NATIONAL SBIR CONFERENCE IN BOISE
Thanks to the following entrpreneurs for representing Wyoming well at the National SBIR Conference in Boise: David Bloom and Richard Yeh from Alces Technology, Inc., Jackson; Dale Pitcher and Scott Sutherland from Intuitive Design, Huntley; Nayan Patel from Kunj Phytonics, LLC, Laramie; Michael Stenson and John Brady from Limelight Technologies, Cheyenne; and Bob Viola from Square One Systems Design, Jackson. Also attending were Larry Stewart, MAMTC State Director, Gene Watson WSSI Program Manager, and Jill Kline, WSSI Outreach Coordinator.
What follows are comments from these attendees regarding the conference...which we believe validate the importance of attending such events - whether you are new to the program or not!
"At the recent SBIR conference in Boise we were able to gain an in-depth understanding of what it will take to prepare and win a grant. That in and of itself would have justified the trip, but you also opened the door to the key players by introducing us to the federal people who control the funds and the many resources available to assist us. The workshops also exceeded our expectations for both quality and quantity of useful information. We have no doubt that our chances for success in winning a grant are vastly improved and strongly encourage anyone interested in pursuing these funds to seek your help, take your advice and benefit from your insight and generosity." - Michael Stenson, CIO, Limelight Technologies, Inc., Cheyenne.
"Best conference I have attended. Good speakers, intelligent, engaging, and enjoyable. Excellent conference that cleared up a lot of confusion. It was well organized and of high value.
I never thought it could be this informative and I could not imagine gaining this much knowledge on my own in a piecemeal fashion. A newcomer to SBIR would be reckless if he avoided such a session. I am looking forward to applying what I have learned. Thanks !!! Money well spent. Would recommend to anyone serious about SBIR Program." - Nayan Patel, Kunj Phytonics, LLC, Laramie.
"Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed this week’s National SBIR Conference. The sessions addressing Phase II were extremely well presented and full of great "inside" information. It was an invaluable opportunity to meet one-on-one with the agency representatives, especially Julie Scott from the DOE who provided excellent input for our upcoming proposal. Richard Hendel from Boeing (a company we’ve been cold calling for weeks without results) graciously put me in touch with Boeing’s Navy JDAM project manager. And of course, the chance to mingle, socialize and sometimes commiserate with the rest of the Wyoming team was best part of the trip. Many thanks!" - Bob Viola, Square One Systems Design, Jackson.
"As a first time attendee of the SBIR national conference, I found the event to be a great experience. The conference had a good blend of information and networking sessions, designed to allow all those involved in SBIR to interact with each other. The various strategy sessions were especially helpful for entrepreneurs/start-ups although, since they are presented in parallel, I could not attend them all. One of the most valuable things from this conference for me was the opportunity to meet and learn from other SBIR participants from the state of Wyoming thanks to the support of the Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative office. The state vanpool to the conference was a great idea and I look forward to seeing us all succeed." - Richard Yeh, Alces Technology, Inc., Jackson.
The next National Conference is scheduled for March 7 through the 10 in Omaha Nebraska.
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2.0 MISSED THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE? GET A TASTE OF IT NOVEMBER 17!
An Introduction To The SBIR Program And Phase I Development Workshop In Casper
SBIR Expert Mark Henry from Personal Business Consultants, Inc. (PBC, Inc.) will present:
WHEN: Wednesday, November 17th, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Casper College Campus - Werner Tech Center, Room 102 (link here for DIRECTIONS)
FEE: $20.00
REGISTER: Send Check or Money Order with your Name, Address, Phone, Email Address, and any special needs to:
Steve Elledge, WBC
300 S. Wolcott, Ste. 300
Casper, WY 82601
ADDITIONAL INFO: Call Jill Kline toll free at 866-703-3280 or email jillkline@vcn.com
SPONSOR: Wyoming Business Council
This Introduction to the SBIR Program and Phase I Development will be presented by SBIR Professional Mark Henry from Personal Business Consultants (PBC, Inc.) out of Denver. Help spread the word to anyone you believe should learn more about the SBIR program! Link here to learn more about Mark Henry and PBC, Inc.
A morning session from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m will review the WSSI program to foster continued success and will target economic development professionals, reviewers, mentors and other invited state agency representatives.
Questions? Contact Jill Kline at jillkline@vcn.com, (307) 682-2660 or toll free at: 866-703-3280.
So save the date and plan your trip to Casper November 17th!
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3.0 DOD SBIR 05.1 SOLICITATION RELEASED
The DoD SBIR 2005.1 solicitation has been pre-released at www.dodsbir.net/solicitation. During the pre-release period, which ends on December 14, you may contact the topic authors directly (contact information is listed with the topic) to ask technical questions about specific solicitation topics. The DoD will begin accepting proposals on December 15, 2004 and will close to proposals on January 14, 2005 at 6am EST. Plan ahead and submit your proposal early to avoid the risk of website inaccessibility due to heavy usage on the final day.
Technical Q&A through SITIS
Once DoD begins accepting proposals on December 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 December 31, 2004. All questions and answers will be posted through January 14, 2005. 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.
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
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4.0 WSSI OUTREACH OFFICE INVITES YOU TO AN OPEN HOUSE
The WSSI Outreach Office, in conjunction with the Campbell County Economic Development Corporation, the Wyoming Small Business Development Center, and the North East Wyoming Business Council Regional Office cordially invite you to attend an Open House to celebrate our office move.
Our new office suite is located in the
Lakeway Professional Center at 201 West Lakeway Road, Suite 1004 in Gillette
Please join us Thursday, November 18 between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
for a tour of this new business center and refreshments!
Use the "East Lower Level Entrance"
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5.0 WHAT'S NEW AT USDA...News Presented At The National Conference
Andrew Wilson with the United States Department of Agriculture presented (as did most of the participating agencies) tid bits of new (or important) information for the USDA program. Take note of the following items:
FY 2005 Phase II deadline is 2/3/2005
FY 2006 Solicitation will be released 6/1/2005
Phase I proposal deadline date will be 9/1/2005
Award decisions made by 3/1/2006
Phase I grant period will be from 5/15/06 to 12/31/06
Research priority areas include homeland security of rural communities, bioterrorism and ag-related manufacturing technology
Electronic submission in FY 2006
FY 2006 Phase II award size will increase to $325K
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6.0 DR. JOSEPH HENNESSEY, NSF ENCOURAGES SUBMISSION TO THE NSF DECEMBER 8 MANUFACTURING INNOVATION SOLICITATION!
At the recent National SBIR Conference, Dr. Joseph Hennessey of NSF encouraged participation in the current FY-05 SBIR/STTR solicitation. Dr. Hennessey noted that the solicitation, which opens November 8, 2004 with a closing of December 8, 2004, is very broad and anyone in the manufacturing business should take a good look at the solicitation.
Proposals must not be submitted prior to the November 8 opening date.
The main topic is Manufacturing Innovation (MI) which is in line with the Presidential Executive Order 13329 - Encouraging Innovation in Manufacturing.
The NSF SBIR/STTR Program invests in cutting-edge, high-risk, high quality scientific, engineering or science/engineering education research with a clear goal of industrial innovation that would benefit society through commercialization.
Projects that make the country’s manufacturing base more competitive through innovation and responsiveness to changing needs are encouraged. Innovation in this context is fostered by research and development of technologies that are aimed at increasing the competitive capability of manufacturing firms. In a broad context, manufacturing-related R&D encompasses innovation in existing methods or processes; improved education with the aim of getting maximum benefit from existing or new methods or processes; or wholly new processes, machines or systems. The overall goal is to support new and emerging manufacturing innovation that will advance the competitiveness of the nation’s manufacturing sector.
Proposals must be market-driven and identify the end users of the proposed technology and its potential for commercialization. The proposed technology must target the private sector (Government and non-profits do not qualify). It is mandatory that one or more letters of technology support from a manufacturing strategic partner be submitted as part of the proposal.
Manufacturing Innovation has been grouped into four broad areas of interest with sub-topics:
A. Unit Process Level Technologies
1. Additive Processes – Projects aimed at advancing rapid prototyping/solid freeform fabrication for material and process improvements.
2. Deformation Processes – Projects aimed at advancing forging, sheet metal processing and punching for material property improvements based on the advances in the processes.
3. Joining and Assembly Processes – Projects aimed at advancing welding and adhesive processes.
4. Powder Material Processes – Projects aimed at advancing powder-based materials/processes that include powder metals, powder ceramics, hybrid materials.
5. Casting/Molding Processes – Projects aimed at improved die/mold materials, improved efficiency/control in processing for die-casting, sand casting, and investment casting.
6. Semiconductor Processing – Projects aimed at advanced materials with potential for improved utility high-k and low-k dielectrics, silicon-on-insulator (SOI) materials, and resists.
7. Non-Traditional Material Removal Processes – Projects aimed at using Electrical Discharge Machining (EDM), plasma, and water jet processes.
8. Chemical Separations Processes – Projects aimed at membranes, adsorbents, and/or extractant technology based upon and/or used during chemical processing.
9. Biological Separations and Purification Processes – Projects aimed at developing new or modifying current processes for separation and purification of biological molecules.
10. Novel Catalytic Systems – New catalyst applications and/or catalyst efficiencies.
11. Photochemical Applications – Solar, radiative, photochemical improvements related to specific manufacturing processes.
12. Electrochemical Applications – Improvements related to the manufacture of capacitors and/or batteries.
13. Improved Fluid Flow – Improved single or multiphase fluid flow, novel spraying applications, and computational software applications.
14. Thermal Energy Applications – Improved energy efficiency applications related to manufacturing processes.
15. Biological Applications – Improved process control, optimization, and cost reduction in manufacturing of food, pharmaceuticals, and other biologics.
16. Passive Nanotechnology Applications – Processes for nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanocomposites, nanocoatings, nanofilter membranes, nanocatalysts, nanomagnetics, carbon nanotubes, quantum dots, and nanobiomaterials.
17. Active Nantotechnology Applications – Processes for nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, nanoelectrical mechanical systems (NEMs), nanobiosensors, nanoenergy storage devices, nanofluidics, and nano drug delivery devices.
B. Machine Level Technologies
1. Machine Design – Projects aimed at improving design of existing machines and equipment in order to improve efficiency and/or cost.
2. Machining and Material Removal Processes – Projects aimed at process improvements for milling, grinding, drilling and cutting tools.
3. Semiconductor Equipment – Projects aimed at innovation in wafer and sensor production, packaging, lithography and interconnected metals.
4. Functional Nanostructures – Projects aimed at functional nanostructures such as templates and imprinting, directed self-assembly techniques, and bio-inspired assembly techniques.
5. Metrology – Projects aimed at improving machine tool calibration, measurement machines, and part inspection equipment.
C. Systems Level Technologies
1. Process Control – Software aimed at improving controllers, interfaces, and control processes.
2. Operations Research – Projects that contribute to modeling, optimization and equilibrium in classic focused problem environments such as scheduling, reliability, facilities (location and design), and inventory management.
3. Manufacturing Enterprise Systems – Decision tools for supply chains, planning, scheduling, distribution, and risk optimization for the extended and spatially distributed enterprises.
4. Nanoscale Processes – Material characterization tools for nanoscale process control and measurement, nanomanipulators, and simulation tools for nanoscale systems
D. Environmental or Societal Level Technologies
1. Workforce Health and Safety – Projects aimed at improving the manufacturing work environment by - incorporating ergonomics and interactive computing systems
2. Workforce Education and Training – Projects aimed at improving the skills and knowledge of the manufacturing workforce by means of the development of instructional and educational (including what is known as distance learning, telelearning, distributed education, or e-learning) systems content authoring systems, intelligent instruction systems and assessment technology.
3. Safety and Regulatory Compliance – Projects aimed at improving process safety and ensuring increased compliance with regulatory guidelines in the manufacturing of biologics and chemical-based products.
4. Environmentally Benign Technologies – Projects aimed at improving techniques for cleanup and recycling of materials, including those with nanoparticles and nanostructures.
5. Pollution Minimization Technologies – Projects aimed at reducing negative environmental impacts.
6. Nanoparticle Safety Technologies – Projects aimed at determining the safety of nanoparticle-based manufacturing systems and products. Technology should be compliant with OSHA and EPA regulations.
Proposals must be market-driven and identify the end users of the proposed technology and its potential for commercialization. The proposed technology must target the private sector (Government and non-profits do not qualify). It is mandatory that one or more letters of technology support from a
To submit a proposal to the NSF - MI topic, make sure to review and follow the guidelines set forth in the solicitation.
Please direct your inquiries regarding the sub-topics to the appropriate Program Manager:
| Program Manager |
Sup-topic Responsibility |
| Cheryl Albus |
A.1, A.2, A.3, A.4, A.5, A.7. B.1, B.2, B.5 and C.1 |
| Errol Arkilic |
C.3 |
| Juan Figueroa |
C.2 and D.1 |
| Joseph Hennessey |
D.4 and D.5 |
| Murali Nair |
B.4 |
| Sara Nerlove |
D.2 |
| James Rudd |
A.16, C.4, and D.6 |
| Om Sahai |
A.9, A.15, and D.3 |
| Winslow Sargeant |
A.6, A.17, and B.3 |
| Rosemarie Wesson |
A.8, A.10, A.11, A.12, A.13, and A.14 |
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7.0 NIH PROGRAM MANAGER SENDS UPDATES/REMINDERS
NIH Program Manager, Jo Anne Goodnight sent out an email with important updates and reminders relevant to all SBIR/STTR participants (not just NIH participants.) Topics include:
Grant Application Forms and Instructions
Other NIH Funding Opportuities
Invention Reporting Requirements
NIH STTR Applications
The NIH Commons -- Electronic Grants Administration
Managing Your Grants and Contracts: Pre and Post-Award Administration
Link here to review this letter in its entirety.
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8.0 UPCOMING CONFERENCES/TRAININGS/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
8.1 GRANTS 101: PROFESSIONAL GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP - IN LARAMIE
This course fills quickly so register soon!
Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop
University of Wyoming
Laramie, Wyoming
Beta House/ Outreach School
November 8 - 10, 2004
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
UW Campus Map
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
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.
8.2 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. 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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9.0 COMPETITION TIP: TEAMS WIN!!!
A former associate in the private sector was widely recognized for leading major proposal teams to winning submissions. At kickoff meetings for these efforts, the associate would say "I have never written a winning proposal." This always drew puzzled responses from team members, and he then would quickly add "but I have been on many winning proposal teams." This technique effectively conveyed his plan AND expectation that the proposal activity at hand would be a team effort.
Winning SBIR proposal teams, like championship athletic teams or highly acclaimed orchestras, must have players at all the positions working together in harmony. "Players" on SBIR proposal teams need to include technologists, businesspersons, writers, critical reviewers and more. One key position left unfilled can have a debilitating impact on the quality of the proposal submitted, and on the chances for capturing a win.
While the need for teamwork in SBIR competition processes may seem obvious, many proposals are compromised for lack of it. Inadequate draft reviews and rework, improper balance between technical and business issues, and insufficient work plan detail, are examples of problems commonly manifested. Causes may include lack of experience, poor proposal schedule management, or egos that get in the way of quality.
Frank Broyles, the former college football coach at the University of Arkansas and elsewhere often quoted a football player who said "It's amazing what can be accomplished when no one cares who gets the credit." This applies to SBIR proposal teams too.
Complete and harmonious teams have a much better chance of submitting winning SBIR proposals than individuals. Take the team route!!!
This competition tip first appeared in the July 7, 2000 issue of the Wyoming SBIR Newsletter. Follow this link to a complete set of Competition Tips.
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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.
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