December 2, 2005
Wyoming SBIR/STTR Initiative (WSSI) Newsletter
No. 24-05
(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., 1/1/06; 29 days
DOE: due TODAY!
NSF: due 12/8/05; 6 days
DoEd: due 1/6/06; 49 days
DoD: due 1/13/06; 42 days
NOAA: due 1/18/06; 47 days
NIST: due 1/26/06; 55 days
NIH SBIR/STTR (Grants) (including CDC, FDA): due 4/1/06; 119 days 
ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION REQUIRED
Other NIH Deadlines
CONTENTS
1.0 November Phase 0 Award Winners
2.0 SBA and Veterans Groups Unite to Conduct First-Ever Live Outreach Webcast Training for Veteran Business Owners
3.0 HSARPA Releases Rapid Technology Application Program Broad Agency Announcement
4.0 NIH Issues SBIR and STTR PAs: Bioengineering Approaches to Energy Balance and Obesity & Image-Guided Cancer Interventions
5.0 Multi-Billion dollar Federal Market Procurement Opportunity for Small Businesses
6.0 Upcoming Conferences/Trainings/Seminars/Workshops
6.1 SBIR Colorado's 5th Annual SBIR Conference Scheduled For March, 2006
6.2 World's Best Technologies Showcase Seeks Innovations
6.3 Spring 2006 SBIR/STTR Conference
6.4 WSSI State Conference Scheduled For April 19 In Cheyenne
6.5 Senator Enzi's Inventor's Conference April 20 & 21 In Cheyenne
7.0 Competition Tip: Understand Indirect Cost Groups!!!
8.0 Acknowledgements And Publication Information
1.0 NOVEMBER PHASE 0 AWARD WINNERS
Congratulations to the following Phase 0 award winners!
| DeltaNu, Laramie Principal Investigator: Keith Carron Email: keith@deltanu.com Phase 0 Title: Baffle Lightwave Detection of Osteoporosis Phase 1 Target: NIH |
Panamax35 LLC, Cheyenne Principal Investigator: Eliot Case Email: emc@panamax35.com Phase 0 Title: Non-synthetic Human Facial and Aural Display Phase 1 Target: NSF |
| Dixon Ladd LLC, Wilson Principal Investigator: Ted Ladd Email: ted@dixonladd.com Phase 0 Title: Hydrogen production from wind power and CBM water Phase 1 Target: NSF |
Square One Systems Design, Jackson Principal Investigator: Robert Viola Email: viola@sqr-1.com Phase 0 Title: An Integrated Support and Alignment System for Large ILC Lattice Elements Phase 1 Target: DOE |
| Trade Trainer, Inc., Jackson Principal Investigator: Chris Bruner Phase 0 Title: A Virtual Enterprise for Evidential Reasoning: Inferring Market Efficiency Insight from Trading Behavior within an Online Trading Community Phase 1 Target: NSF |
2.0 SBA AND VETERANS GROUPS UNITE TO CONCUCT FIRST-EVER LIVE OUTREACH WEBCAST TRAINING FOR VETERAN BUSINESS OWNERS
WASHINGTON - For the first-time ever, Veteran-owned small business owners will be able to participate in a live interactive webcast that will provide training and raise awareness of federal contract assistance for Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned businesses offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration.
The four-hour live webcast will take place on Dec. 14, 2005, at 1:00 p.m. EST and is one of a series of training sessions for veteran-owned businesses that will take place around the country. Subsequent training courses will be announced at a later date.
"We are excited about this opportunity to partner with the Veterans Task Force and USVets.TV to help educate the veteran community on a variety of topics including how to start their own business and navigating the federal contracting arena," said SBA Administrator Hector V. Barreto. "This initiative is in accordance with the President's Executive Order to help the courageous men and women who served this country honorably gain access to contracting opportunities in the federal marketplace."
Individuals planning to participate in the live webcast, should visit www.usvets.tv or www.tvworldwide.com on Dec.14, at 12:45 p.m. EST and have the free Windows Media Player installed prior to the event. The webcast will be archived for later viewing for a full year. DVD and CD-ROM copies will also be made available to interested Veteran and Service-Disabled Veteran-owned businesses.
The webcast, which will be produced by George T. Brown Associates, Inc., a service-disabled veteran-owned business, will feature interactive discussions with Teresa Lewis, SBA assistant administrator for the Office of Federal Contract Assistance for Veteran Business Owners, William Elmore, associate administrator for the Office of Veterans Business Development, representatives from the Task Force for Veterans Entrepreneurship and other speakers and panelists. During the webcast, veterans will be able to e-mail their questions directly to the participants and get immediate responses.
The webcast will also highlight:
- How to market to the federal government (Central Contractor Registration and business plans);
- How to get on the General Services Administration's Federal Supply Schedule;
- How to establish a teaming arrangement (joint venture agreements, subcontracting agreements and mentor protegé agreements);
- How to finance your business (start-up capital, loans, SBA loan guarantees, bank loans, budgeting, capital for growth and expansion);
- Methods for forecasting contracting opportunities; and
- How to successfully get contract opportunities.
The SBA recently held a live Web chat with Jessica Salanis, director of the Veterans Business Outreach Center at the University of Texas-Pan American and Mark Lano, a veteran business owner to share insightful information on veterans business development as it relates to federal contracting and tools and resources available to support the success of veteran-owned small businesses.
The chat also engaged business owners in a national dialogue on assistance available for self-employed veterans, including Reserve and National Guard member small business owners and allowed Web chat participants to get information on veterans business assistance from the SBA. To view the transcript of the chat, visit www.sba.gov/chats. For more information on how to receive veterans business assistance from the SBA, visit www.sba.gov/gc/indexprograms-vets.html.
3.0 HSARPA RELEASES RAPID TECHNOLOGY APPLICATION PROGRAM BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT
courtesy SBIR Gateway
HSARPA has just released their long awaited RTAP BAA that initiates their Rapid Technology Application Program (RTAP) to meet the expressed rapid technology development needs of emergency responders and internal DHS customers. This is not an SBIR solicitation, however, this opportunity should not be overlooked.
The RTAP will facilitate a number of HSARPA’s goals, including:
- Fulfilling the expressed needs of emergency responders and internal DHS customers for rapid prototype technology developments
- Producing advanced technology prototypes 6-18 months after award of contracts
In this solicitation HSARPA is soliciting white papers and proposals for the rapid prototyping of systems in the following seven specific technical fields: Explosive Countermeasures, Biological Countermeasures, Chemical Countermeasures, Information Technology – Geospatial, Information Technology – Information Sharing, Electronics and Hardware, and Cyber Security. There are a total of 22 topics presented under the technical fields mentioned. Proposals should not exceed $2 million for the base effort.
This is NOT a small business set aside. Offerors may include single entities or teams from private sector organizations, federal government laboratories (except for 10 DOE national labs), Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), and academic institutions.
In all likelihood a small business can't do this on its own, BUT HSARPA loves partnering/teaming. In fact, HSARPA has a special web site (a teaming portal) where you can register and list your expertise and areas of expertise you may need in order to attract a partner.
Mandatory white papers are due by January 3, 2006 and proposals must be submitted by March 6, 2005. Offerors are required to register online, using the HSARPA BAA Website at www.hsarpabaa.com, prior to submitting a mandatory white paper. Complete details and instructions for registration are provided on the website.
The solicitation is 88 pages long, but you can do a quick browse of the 22 topics on the SBIR Gateway at www.zyn.com/sbir/articles/rtap-topics.htm
Many of you know of my work with the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) and the federal laboratories FLC represents. If you are interested in finding a point of contact at a federal lab for potential partnering, please contact Rick Shindell via email at rick@zyn.corick@zyn.com. If you want to learn more about the FLC, please visit their web site at www.federallabs.org
4.0 NIH ISSUES SBIR AND STTR PAs: BIOENGINEERING APPROACHES TO ENERGY BALANCE AND OBESITY & IMAGE-GUIDED CANCER INTERVENTIONS
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued Program Announcements PA-06-055 and PA-06-056. This funding opportunity will develop and validate new and innovative bioengineering technology to address clinical problems related to energy balance, intake, and expenditure. Novel sensors, devices, imaging, and other approaches are expected to be developed and evaluated by collaborating engineers, physical scientists, and scientists from other relevant disciplines with expertise in obesity and nutrition. The goal is to increase the number of useful technologies and tools available to scientists to facilitate their research in energy balance and health. Eventually these research tools should facilitate therapeutic advances and behavioral changes to address such problems as weight control and obesity. PA-06-055 is for those that wish to submit a proposal under the SBIR program and PA-06-056 is for those that wish to submit a proposal under the STTR program. Participating Institutes include National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering (NIBIB), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and the National Institute on Aging (NIA).
The NIH also issued Program Announcements PA-06-031 and PA-06-032. The National Cancer Institute (NCI) requests applications to support the development and clinical validation of systems for image-guided interventions (IGI) for cancer. Specifically, the goals of this program are to provide support for: the development and optimization of fully integrated cancer imaging, monitoring, and therapy systems; the validation of integrated IGI systems through clinical evaluations; the development of multiple prototype integrated IGI systems as required for multi-site clinical evaluations; and partnerships among small business, large business, and academic clinical centers, as well as small business joint ventures, in order to reach the research goals. PA-06-031 is for those that wish to submit a proposal under the STTR program and PA-06-032 is for those that wish to submit a proposal under the SBIR program.
Applications submitted in response to these program announcements will be accepted at the standard application deadlines (April 1, August 1, December 1) through August 2, 2007. For more information and a complete copy of the SBIR announcement, visit grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA- 06-055.html. To view the STTR announcement, visit grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA- 06-056.html.
5.0 MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR FEDERAL MARKET PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
Sheridan Holiday Inn
U. S. Senator Mike Enzi and GRO-Biz invite small businesses in Wyoming and regional states to a once-a-year event marketing your business to federal and state government agencies and prime contractors. More than 60 federal and state contracting officials will be available to talk about products they buy and special requirements.
Why Should You Attend?
- The perfect opportunity to meet one-on-one with federal and state contracting officers.
- Networking with professionals, contractors, and small businesses in one place saves time and money.
- Increase your knowledge about the government contracting process.
- A chance to market your business to the US Government and Prime Contractors.
Conference registration is $110 and $90 for each additional person from the same business
Register toll free in Wyoming 877-733-3618, ext. 1
or register online: www.gro-biz.com
For exhibitor information, call 307-362-2110
Conference Hotels:
Sheridan Holiday Inn
307-672-8931 or 888-HOLIDAY
Mill Inn
307-672-6401 or 888-FLR-MILL
Ask for the special GRO-Biz conference hotel rate.
GRO-Biz Partners: Defense Logistics Agency, Small Business Development Center, University of Wyoming, Wyoming Business Council, U.S. Small Business Administration
6.0 UPCOMING CONFERENCES/TRAININGS/SEMINARS/WORKSHOPS
- 6.1 SBIR COLORADO'S 5th ANNUAL SBIR CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR MARCH, 2006
March 8th & 9th 2006 at the Arvada Center
The SBIR (Small Business Innovation Research) and STTR (Small Business Technology Transfer) programs represent the largest source of early-stage funding for high-tech start-up companies in the US . These congressionally mandated federal programs provide more than $2.2 billion every year to small, for-profit companies to carry out leading-edge, high-risk research and to grow their businesses.
Details can be found at SBIRColorado.org or contact Cody at 303-427-1312 x202
- 6.2 WORLD'S BEST TECHNOLOGIES SHOWCASE SEEKS INNOVATIONS
The World's Best Technologies Showcase is the nation's premier event showcasing the largest collection of undiscovered technologies emanating from top universities, labs, and research institutions from across the country and around the globe. Participating technologies are selected by - and presented to - over 100 seasoned venture investors and Fortune 500 licensing scouts representing a variety of industries, each supported by private funding or numerous federal R&D grants such as DoD, DOE, NIH, NSF, NASA, NIST, and many others. Most are presenting for the very first time.
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.
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.
- 6.3 2006 Spring National SBIR/STTR Conference
Mark your calendars for the 2006 Spring National SBIR/STTR Conference
Louisville, Kentucky
Monday, May 15, 2006 to Thursday, May 18, 2006
- 6.4 WSSI STATE CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR APRIL 19 IN CHEYENNE
The next WSSI State Conference will be held April 19 in Cheyenne. Mark your calendar now and watch the WSSI newsletter for updates!
- 6.5 SENATOR ENZI'S INVENTOR'S CONFERENCE APRIL 20 & 21 IN CHEYENNE
The next WSSI State Conference will be held April 19 in Cheyenne in conjunction with Senator Enzi's Inventor's Conference which will follow on the 20 and 21. Mark your calendar now and watch the WSSI newsletter for updates!
7.0 COMPETITION TIP: UNDERSTAND INDIRECT COST GROUPS!!!
Last newsletter indirect costs were discussed, those costs not assignable to any single project. Today, groups for accumulating indirect costs are highlighted.
The most common indirect cost groups are "Overhead" and "General and Administrative" (G&A) costs. Overhead costs are primarily those indirect costs associated with the conduct of the business (manufacturing, R&D, etc.). G&A costs are those primarily associated with the "general management and administration" of the business. Overhead cost examples could include costs for laboratories used for multiple projects, such as rent, utilities, insurance, supplies, expendable equipment and depreciation of laboratory capital equipment. Usually, labor is a significant overhead cost, and covers employee's time not chargeable to a specific "direct" project. Employee fringe benefits (e.g., paid leave time, health insurance, payroll taxes and "retirement" contributions) for "operations" employees usually are significant overhead costs also. G&A costs could include, for example, accounting, contract management, security, human resources, and overall business management. Labor and associated fringe benefit costs, and facility costs for G&A personnel, usually are important indirect costs. The Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) also allows Bid and Proposal (B&P) and Internal Research and Development (IR&D) expenses to be accumulated as G&A costs.
The FAR allow flexibility in establishing groups or categories for collecting indirect costs. The Federal Acquisition Regulations states that: "Indirect costs shall be accumulated by LOGICAL (emphasis ours) cost groupings with due consideration of the REASONS for incurring such costs." It is important to have a rationale consistent with the FAR for accumulating indirect costs, and for designating costs as direct or indirect. The rationale should be applied uniformly to all projects. As noted earlier, overhead and G&A are common indirect cost groups used by small businesses engaged in SBIR contract/grant activity. However an acceptable practice used by some new small businesses is to have only one indirect cost group, namely overhead.
Conducting business with the federal government requires compliance with the FAR. Developing at least a rudimentary knowledge of them is a good investment of time. We encourage you to check them out at: http://www.arnet.gov/far/.
So, give serious consideration to the indirect costs required to nurture and grow your business, and how to recover these costs through the SBIR grant/contract funding process. Next week we will talk more about indirect cost recovery.
This competition tip first appeared in the November 19, 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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