Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington, DC                 January 8, 1999
(Phone:  202/358-1979)

RELEASE:  99-2

NASA SELECTS 125 INNOVATIVE SMALL BUSINESS PROJECTS 

     NASA has selected 125 research proposals for negotiation of 
Phase 2 contract awards for NASA's Small Business Innovation 
Research (SBIR) Program.  The selected projects, which have a 
total value of approximately $73 million, will be conducted by 113 
small, high technology firms located in 26 states. 

     The goals of this NASA program are to stimulate technological 
innovation, increase the use of small business (including women-
owned and disadvantaged firms) in meeting federal research and 
development needs, and increase private sector commercialization 
of results of federally funded research. 

     A total of 312 proposals was submitted by SBIR contractors 
completing Phase I projects.  These proposals were evaluated to 
determine that they meet SBIR Phase 1 objectives and are feasible 
research innovations for addressing agency needs. 

     Phase 2 continues development of the most promising Phase 1 
projects.  Selection criteria include technical merit and 
innovation, Phase I results, value to NASA, commercial potential 
and company capabilities.  Funding for Phase 2 contracts may be up 
to $600,000 for a two-year performance period. 

     The NASA SBIR Program Management Office is located at NASA's 
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, with executive 
oversight by NASA's Office of Aero-Space Technology, NASA 
Headquarters, Washington, DC.  Individual SBIR projects are 
managed by NASA's ten field centers.

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EDITOR'S NOTE:  A listing of the selected companies can be 
accessed on the Internet at URL:  http://sbir.nasa.gov