Barbara Selby Headquarters, Washington, D.C. January 6, 1993 (Phone: 202/358-1600) RELEASE: 93-003 NASA SELECTS PHASE II SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH PROJECTS NASA announced today the selection of 38 research proposals for immediate negotiation of phase II contracts in NASA's Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR). The selected projects, having a total value of approximately $19 million, will be conducted by 36 small businesses located in 18 states. Approximately 100 additional phase II selections will be made in January and February 1993, bringing the total number of selections in this procurement to approximately 140 and the total contract value to approximately $70 million. "The recent re-authorization of the SBIR program through Fiscal Year 2000 is a strong vote of confidence. The program is meeting its objectives, and its accomplishments are benefitting both NASA and the economy," stated Harry Johnson, Director of NASA's SBIR program. SBIR phase II supports development of the most promising research innovations that demonstrated technical feasibility and high potential value at the end of phase I. All phase II projects are being chosen competitively from more than 275 proposals submitted by small businesses completing their phase I projects in 1992. Selection criteria include technical merit and innovation, phase I results, company capabilities, value to NASA and commercial potential. Each project may run 2 years and be funded up to $500,000. SBIR objectives are to stimulate technological innovation in the United States by using small business, including minority and disadvantaged firms, to help federal agencies meet their research and development needs and to encourage commercial applications of federally funded research innovations. - end - EDITOR'S NOTE: A listing of companies selected for this program is available at NASA Headquarters newsroom by calling 202/358-1600 and at all NASA centers.