Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington               Nov. 16, 2001
(Phone: 202/358-1979)

RELEASE: 01-223

NASA SELECTS 126 INNOVATIVE SMALL BUSINESS PROJECTS

     NASA has selected 126 research proposals for negotiation 
of Phase 2 contract awards for its Small Business Innovation 
Research (SBIR) Program. The selected projects, which have a 
total value of approximately $75 million, will be conducted 
by 105 small, high-technology firms located in 28 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 innovations derived from federally 
funded research.

A total of 259 proposals were submitted by SBIR contractors 
completing Phase I projects. These proposals were evaluated 
to determine that they met SBIR Phase I objectives and are 
feasible research innovations for meeting agency needs.

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

The NASA SBIR Program Manager is located at the Goddard Space 
Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md., with executive oversight by 
NASA's Office of Aerospace Technology, NASA Headquarters, 
Washington. Individual SBIR projects are managed by NASA's 
ten field centers.

A listing of the selected companies can be accessed on the 
Internet at:

http://sbir.nasa.gov

                          - end -