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| About WSSI | About SBIR/STTR | Getting Started | Wyoming Award Winners | News & Events |
| 1.0 SBA HEARING TO BE HELD IN DENVER ON JUNE 14 The Small Business Administration will hold a hearing on the question of changing the SBIR rules to allow VC-owned businesses to participate in the program. The hearing will be held on June 14 in the Denver U.S.Federal Building, 1961 Stout Street, Room 239, beginning at 8:30 AM. For more information, go to http://www.sba.gov/size/hearings.pdf. return to CONTENTS |
| 2.0 USDA RELEASES 2006 SBIR SOLICITATION The Fiscal Year 2006 USDA SBIR Program Solicitation was released yesterday, June 2, 2005. Funds may be awarded up to $80,000 for Phase I and up to $300,000 for Phase II. 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. The topics included with this solicitation are:
8.2 Plant Production and Protection 8.3 Animal Production and Protection 8.4 Air, Water and Soils 8.5 Food Science and Nutrition 8.6 Rural and Community Development 8.7 Aquaculture 8.8 Industrial Applications 8.9 Marketing and Trade 8.10 Wildlife 8.11 Animal Waste Management 8.12 Small and Mid-Size Farms The closing date for this solicitation is September 1, 2005. To view a full copy of the solicitation and the required application forms go to www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/rfas/sbir_rfa.html. return to CONTENTS |
| 3.0 NASA ISSUES SBIR PRE-SOLICITATION NOTICE NASA has issued a pre-solicitation notice for their upcoming SBIR/STTR offering scheduled to be released on or about July 7, 2005 with a receipt date of September 7, 2005. The NASA SBIR 2005 technical topics and subtopics support the NASA strategic enterprises Mission Directorates of Space Operations, Aerospace, Science, and Exploration Systems. It is anticipated that the NASA 2005 SBIR solicitation will identify specific product areas within each subtopic that NASA wishes to emphasize. To participate in the NASA SBIR program, firms must have Internet access and an e-mail address. Details can be found on the NASA SBIR/STTR Home Page at sbir.nasa.gov. The pre-solicitation notice is available on FedBizOpps at www1.eps.gov/spg/NASA/GRC/OPDC20220/SBIR2005/listing.html. return to CONTENTS |
| 4.0 NON-SBIR FEDERAL AND FOUNDATION FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES The SSTI Weekly Digest Funding Supplement lists funding opportunities (OTHER THAN SBIR) offered by the federal government, foundations, and other agencies. Although the Supplement is not exhaustive, the opportunities listed in each week's issue do provide application information, eligibility criteria, and submission deadlines and collectively offer a glance at what is available. The latest issue of the Funding Supplement is available at: www.ssti.org/Digest/supplement.htm. return to CONTENTS |
5.0 INTRODUCING  - AN ON-LINE ENTREPRENEURIAL RESOURCE
From new ventures, to business managers, to entrepreneurs, to master level classes, we have a range of courses across all functional areas of small business. Large corporations have their own training departments--now you have your own just-in-time desktop university with SmallBizU is brought to you by the Wyoming Small Business Development Center to keep course fees to a minimum - each course is only $10. Link on this |
6.0 UPCOMING CONFERENCES/TRAININGS/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
The 7th Annual NIH SBIR/STTR conference dates are now set for July 28- 29,2005. The conference will be held on the NIH campus in Bethesda, MD. Learn How to Tap into $640 M Reserved Explicitly for Small Businesses Interested in Biomedical/Behavioral Research. This free two day conference, organized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will focus on Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funding opportunities available explicitly to small businesses that have innovative biomedical or behavioral research ideas with commercial potential. This conference will benefit those who are relatively new to the Program as well as those who are more experienced. This is a must-attend conference if you're interested in the NIH SBIR/STTR program. Questions? Contact Mark Brown - ConferenceInquiries@mail.nih.gov or 240-632-5618.
The Department of Defense, in association with the Small Business Administration and all 11 SBIR agencies, is sponsoring the 2005 National SBIR/STTR Phase II Conference -- a very special event focusing exclusively on transitioning current Phase II technologies into the military and private sector. Where: San Diego, California This conference will provide a forum to bring together scientist, engineers, and technology decision makers from a wide range of disciplines and environments to discuss all aspects of transitioning SBIR-supported research and development into government and private sector commercial markets. The program will include plenary speakers, focused sessions, pre-arranged 20-minute appointments between SBIR small businesses and representatives from government prime contractors, defense acquisition programs, and other potential end users of the technology, poster papers, and exhibits. These sessions provide the opportunity for small businesses, large businesses and government agencies to discuss their capabilities and needs. To participate, invited Phase II firms, defense acquisition programs, prime contractors and other large businesses must register on the conference web site and provide information to facilitate matching small businesses with potential end users of the technology to schedule pre-arranged appointments. There will also be a wide variety of exhibiting opportunities for this event (PH II Technology Poster Sessions, table top exhibits, and full exhibits). The exhibit hall will be a central place of activity during this event. Advanced Phase II areas that will be discussed include: Legal Issues, Accounting Issues, Marketing Issues, Negotiating Issues, Firm Issues for Growing Companies. Who are Invited to Attend and Exhibit: · SBIR/STTR small businesses with at least one Phase II award in the last 4 years · Prime contractors · Defense Acquisition program managers · Other government agencies/offices that acquire technology products and services. Who are Invited to Exhibit only: · SBIR Support Companies · Industry Service Providers (accounting firms, legal firms, etc.)
Investing In A Brighter Future, Building Tech-based Economies Where: Atlanta, GA, InterContinental Buckhead Atlanta When: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 to Friday, October 21, 2005 Overview: For a few days this fall, more than 300 of the nation's greatest thinkers and practitioners for building tech-based economies will convene in Atlanta. Complete information is available on the SSTI's website at: www.ssti.org/conference05.htm. Seating is limited. Register online today to avoid missing this unique opportunity. What to expect at SSTI’s 9th Annual Conference
Where: Albany, NY, The Crowne Plaza Hotel Albany City Center Description: The National Science Foundation, in association with the Small Business Administration and all 11 SBIR agencies, is sponsoring this 2005 Fall National SBIR/STTR Conference. Annually, the SBIR and STTR programs provide over $2 billion to small businesses through federal programs to help entrepreneurs take their ideas from conception to reality. This conference will give you the tools you need to obtain part of the $2+ billion available to small business innovators. This conference also provides each participant with multiple opportunities to meet and network with SBIR and STTR Program Managers, and fellow attendees, including SBIR/STTR award winners, speakers, and experts from businesses and the government willing to work with you to move your business ahead. Who Should Attend: Attendees include SBIR and STTR representatives from the Federal Agencies involved in the programs, sales and marketing professionals, small business owners, entrepreneurs, university researchers, scientists seeking commercialization strategies, venture capitalists, and all small businesses seeking to secure federal funding. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available. Refer questions to Sharon DelaBarre at sbir@dbamlg.com or 360-683-5742. |
| 7.0 COMPETITION TIP: DEVELOP BUSINESS DISCIPLINES!!! Successful SBIR competition in Phase 1 and 2 may well come to naught if the host small business is not equipped with the necessary business disciplines to capitalize on the SBIR resources awarded. There are too many cases where SBIR projects come to a disastrous end because of mis-management of the business and project. There are many more SBIR projects and host small businesses that have been compromised by poor business practices. Like SBIR competition, necessary business disciplines cover a broad spectrum. An abbreviated list includes marketing and sales, project and contracts/grants management, cost control, finance, accounting, human resources, and intellectual property management. As the small business is started and evolves, so must the development of these disciplines and procedures. If the business development gets too far ahead of these disciplines, business chaos and dysfunction will be a likely consequence. Frequently, scientists and engineers start small businesses that compete for SBIR resources with little knowledge about efficient and effective business operations. It is vital that these new small businesspersons take steps necessary to learn the ropes of business operations. Some are more willing to learn than others, and the consequences usually are apparent downstream. Some may be convinced they have all required tools, and are less prepared to embark on the process to develop necessary business disciplines. How does a small businessperson learn and develop the necessary disciplines? Study the words of successful veteran small businesspersons. The series by Milton Chang (see Section 3 above) is an excellent starting point. Seeking out advice from and working with mentors is a highly effective method to gain necessary skills. Hiring professional consultants to support business activities is particularly effective in areas such as accounting, government contract and audit management, intellectual property management and other legal issues. First, recognize the need for developing business disciplines, and then establish a priority program for developing and nurturing them at the business. It will make a big difference in the end-game scenario!!! This competition tip first appeared in the August 20, 1999 issue of the Wyoming SBIR Newsletter. Follow this link to a complete set of Competition Tips. return to CONTENTS |
| 8.0 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 |
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