October 21, 2005
Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) Newsletter
No. 21-05
(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., 11/1/05; 11 days
NIH SBIR/STTR (Grants) (including CDC, FDA): due 12/1/05; 41 days
DOE: due 12/2/05; 42 days
NSF: due 12/8/05; 48 days
DoEd: due 1/6/06; 77 days
NOAA: due 1/18/06; 89 days
NIST: due 1/26/06; 97 days
Other NIH Deadlines
CONTENTS
1.0 Hawkins and Powers Aviation Inc., Greybull, Wins USDA Phase II
2.0 October Phase 0 Award Winners
3.0 The Department of Commerce's NOAA And NIST Presolicitations Available Nov. 1/3
4.0 Department of Education Presolicitation Info Available
5.0 World's Best Technologies Showcase Seeks Innovations
6.0 Upcoming Conferences/Trainings/Seminars/Workshops
6.1 State Science & Technology Institute's (SSTI) 9th Annual Conference
6.2 Grants 101: Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop
6.3 Register Now For National Fall SBIR Conference In Albany, NY, November 14-17
7.0 Competition Tip: Prepare Budget Carefully!!!
8.0 Acknowledgements And Publication Information
1.0 HAWKINS AND POWERS AVIATION INC., GREYBULL, WINS USDA PHASE II
Congratulations to Hawkins and Powers Aviation in Greybull on their recent USDA Phase II award!
Project Title: Computer Controlled Automatic Loading Water Bucket System For Aerial Firefighting
Principle Investigator: Duane Powers
Email: duane@hawkinsandpowers.com
Award: $296,000
Non-Technical Summary: Millions of dollars in personal property and thousands of acres of natural resources will be saved annually if wildfires can be controlled effectively by increasing the safety and efficiency of helicopters in aerial firefighting. The purpose of this project is to research and develope a computer controlled water bucket system to increase safety and efficiency by automating weight management of loading, load-splitting and flow-control features.
Objectives: The objectives of Phase II are to utilize the Phase I research and design to identify necessary changes to construct a fully operational Water Buoy II for use and testing during Phase II. Drop testing and evaluation criteria will be developed to evaluate the system operationally. Improvements to the Phase II bucket will be made using the evaluation results. Previously committed and new SBIR commercialization support will be utilized. The ultimate objective is to increase the safety, effectiveness and efficiency of a new line of improved WBII water bucket systems to be commercialized using the simplest most cost-effective method that is capable of complex slung vessel compliance.
Additional information about Hawkins and Powers Aviation can be found on their web site: www.hawkinsandpowers.com
2.0 OCTOBER PHASE 0 AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to the October Phase 0 award winners!
| DeeMar Industries, Thermopolis Principal Investigator: Mark Mortimore Phone: (307) 921-1061 Email: mfh@tribcsp.com Phase 0 Title: Universal "Cold" Cervical Collar for EMS/ER treatment Phase 1 Target: NIH |
Strategic Bus. Mgt. Consultants, LLC, Buffalo Principal Investigator: Nancy O. Geehan Phone: (307) 684-0722 Email: ngeehan@fiberpipe.net Phase 0 Title: Baffle System for Two-Phase Annular Flow for Oil Production Phase 1 Target: DOE |
Principal Investigator: Stephen Wagner
Phone: (307) 577-9109
Email: aahcinc@trib.com
Phase 0 Title: Solar Wind Chimney
Phase 1 Target: DOE
3.0 THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE'S NOAA AND NIST PRESOLICITATIONS AVAILABLE NOV. 1/3
The Department of Commerce's (DOC) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plan to seek proposals from small business firms for participation in Phase I of the 2006 SBIR program. The following are the NOAA research and development topics available for Phase 1:
- Ecosystems
- Climate
- Weather and Water
- Commerce and Transportation
The SBIR solicitation will be issued on or about November 1, 2005. The SBIR solicitation will be available at the Federal Business Opportunities website www.fbo.gov and on the NOAA website www.ago.noaa.gov/ad/solindex.shtml. A period for clarifications and/or questions will be defined in the solicitation cover letter. The Government anticipates making multiple Phase 1 awards with a period of performance of six(6) months and a budget not to exceed $95,000. Any organization submitting a response to the above described solicitation must have current registration in the Central Contractor Registration (see website at www.ccr.gov).
For more information, including a complete copy of the presolicitation notice, visit www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NOAA/AGAMD/NRMC0009%2D6% 2D00001/listing.html.
The Department of Commerce's (DOC) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released the topics for their upcoming 2006 SBIR Solicitation. The topics for this solicitation are:
- Development of a Large-Area Solar Simulator using Light Emitting Diodes;
- Development and Manufacture of High-Efficiency, Low-Dark- Count Detectors for IR Photon Counting;
- Gigabit/second Random Number Generators;
- Applying AI Tools and Techniques to the Real-Time Control of Intelligent Systems;
- Imaging Variable Kinetic Energy (0.1 to 8 KeV) Electron Analyzer;
- Vibration Detection for the Suppression of PM Noise;
- Multiple Contact Nano-probes for Electrical and Optical characterization;
- Spatial Light Modulators for Programmable Spectral Projectors;
- Commercially-Available Electrically Substituted Bolometer;
- Emergency Beacon for First Responder Radios;
- High Performance NIR Array Detectors for Advanced Sensors;
- Broadly-Tunable CW Terahertz Single-Port Source;
- Emergency-Vehicle Electrical System Conducted-Interference Test System;
- Reference Flat Pulse Generator;
- 40 Gb/sec Bitstream Generator;
- RFID-Based Supply Chain Optimization and Simulation;
- Ideal Liquid Optical Particle Sensor;
- Wide-Bandgap Photodiodes for Extreme Ultraviolet Radiation;
- High-Speed Non-Contact Thermography;
- DC Substitution Microwave Power Detectors
The NIST 2006 solicitation will be issued on or about November 3, 2005 and will close January 26, 2006. Electronic copies of the solicitation will be located at www.nist.gov/sbir and www.fedbizopps.gov. For more information, please visit www.fbo.gov/spg/DOC/NIST/AcAsD/NIST%2D06% 2DSBIR/listing.html.
4.0 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PRESOLICITATION INFO AVAILABLE
The US Department of Education (DoEd), via the Institute of Education Science's National Center for Education Research, intends to solicit offerors for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.
The opening date is on or around November 4, 2005, the closing date is January 6, 2006 at 2:00 p.m. EST. Program information is available at on the DoEd website at www.ed.gov/programs/sbir/index.html.
The DoEd notice can also be found on the FedBixOpps site at www.fbo.gov/spg/ED/OCFO/CPO/errd080008/SynopsisP.html
5.0 WORLD'S BEST TECHNOLOGIES SHOWCASE SEEKS INNOVATIONS
The World's Best Technologies Showcase, now in its fourth year, is currently seeking breakthrough technologies and spinout companies emanating from universities, federal labs, federal agencies and research institutions. Presenting technologies are selected by - and presented to - seasoned venture investors and Fortune 500 licensing pros representing a variety of industries. Selections are based on the merits of the innovation and the specific investment or licensing opportunity. Most are presenting for the very first time.
World's Best Technologies 2006
March 27-29, 2006
Arlington, TX
www.wbtshowcase.com
Contact: Paul Huleatt, 602-795-8825
Each year's Showcase represents the collaborative effort of investors, licensees, and tech commercialization experts. Exhibit space is limited to 75 presenting technologies.
Final deadline for online submissions is November 18, 2005.
There Is No Cost To Apply. Visit www.wbtshowcase.com for more details.
The WBT is produced in cooperation with the Federal Lab Consortium - representing over 700 federally funded research centers and laboratories throughout the United States - and the National Association of Seed and Venture Funds - a network of public agencies, private investors and public/private partnerships fostering innovation capital for America's entrepreneurs.
6.0 UPCOMING CONFERENCES/TRAININGS/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
- 6.1 STATE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE'S (SSTI) 9th ANNUAL CONFERENCE
- Some will seek better ways to commercialize innovations coming out of their universities and businesses.
- Some will want methods to improve the delivery of their entrepreneurial assistance or research grant programs.
- Some will question the direction - or even existence - of our national innovation policies and research funding priorities.
- Some will look for new approaches, new thinking for increasing local access to risk capital.
- in-depth examinations of some of the best state and regional approaches to cultivate a bright economic future
- unparalleled networking with the right people within the tech-based economic development community
- stimulating dialogue and thought-provoking exchange between great thinkers, old friends and new peers from across the country
- renewed energy and personal resolve to address the challenges of strengthening your state or local economy
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.
All of them will find answers in Atlanta - at the premier professional development event of the year for the tech-based economic development community. The only question remaining is will you be among them?
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
- 6.2 GRANTS 101: PROFESSIONAL GRANT PROPOSAL WRITING WORKSHOP
- 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
THE GRANT INSTITUTE
GRANTS 101: Professional Grant Proposal Writing Workshop
University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
November 7 - 9, 2005
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:
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.
- 6.3 REGISTER NOW FOR NATIONAL FALL SBIR CONFERENCE IN ALBANY, NY, NOVEMBER 14-17
Whether you are new to the Program, have received your first Phase I, or are a multiple award winner, the sessions offered in Albany this Fall will help you enhance your participation in the SBIR/STTR Program.
Sessions will focus on information you need in order to take Your Concept all the way through the Program to Commercialization. Tips on how to Leverage Resources to make the most of Your Potential will be provided during the three tracks of programming.
Complete conference information is available at: 2005 National Fall Conference
The Advance Full Registration Fee, received by October 25, is $350. Registrations received after October 25 and On-Site will be $425. In addition to Full Conference Registration, one or multiple-day Registrations are available, as are discounts for multiple attendees (3 or more) from a single small business (less than 500 employees). Please note that pre-Conference registration will close on Tuesday, November 1. After this date, registration will only be available On-site in Albany.
Link here for additional Conference Fees and Registration information.
7.0 COMPETITION TIP: PREPARE BUDGET CAREFULLY!!!
The proposed budget (or cost proposal) is an integral part of an SBIR proposal submission. Hence, the budget must reflect the highest standards of excellence to secure the best chance of winning an award.
It is said often that cost is not a factor in SBIR competition. Generally, it is true that the magnitude of the proposed cost is not an evaluation factor, and hence proposed and award amounts usually are either right on or just under the agency ceiling for Phase 1 or Phase 2 proposals. However, the APPROPRIATENESS and DETAIL of the budget for the work proposed are virtually ALWAYS evaluation factors.
For example, the USDA FY 2000 SBIR solicitation states (Section 4.3(d), Budget): "Is the budget appropriate for the proposed research plan? Is sufficient budget detail provided to indicate CLEARLY (emphasis ours) how the funds would be utilized?" In some agency solicitations, the "budget" evaluation factor is more implicit.
An "appropriate" budget is one that is in harmony with the proposed work - a "goldilocks" scenario - not too much and not too little. Reasonable costs are budgeted for required personnel, necessary equipment, facilities, expendable materials, other direct costs, indirect costs and profit.
"Inappropriate" budgets are not consistent with the proposed work. Examples include one month of proposed labor for a task that will take six months, or visa versa, no provisions for necessary specialized equipment/facilities, or unrealistic indirect cost structures.
"Detail" is necessary to present a clear picture of the cost plan for reviewers (as noted in the USDA solicitation excerpt above). Specific detailed and rational entries in each category of the cost proposal will help convince reviewers that the cost plan is appropriate and consistent with the work plan.
Frequently, proposed budgets are "slapped together" after the technical proposal is completed. They reflect little rigorous cost planning and attention to detail. Veteran SBIR proposal reviewers "smoke out" these "afterthought" budgets, and the proposals suffer in the evaluation process.
So work through the proposed budget carefully, and present a detailed and coherent budget consistent with the proposed work. The proposed budget matters!!!
This competition tip first appeared in the October 29, 1999 issue of the Wyoming SBIR Newsletter. Follow this link to a complete set of Competition Tips.
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.
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