Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington                  Jan. 25, 2002
(Phone: 202/358-1979)

RELEASE: 02-05

NINE SMALL BUSINESS PROJECTS SELECTED FOR FUTHER DEVELOPMENT

     NASA has selected nine research proposals for negotiation 
of Phase 2 contract awards for its 2000 Small Business 
Technology Transfer (STTR) Program. 

Phase 2 continues development of the most promising previously 
selected Phase 1 projects. Selection criteria include 
scientific and technical merit, future importance and eventual 
value of the innovation to NASA, company capabilities, and 
commercial potential. Funding for Phase 2 contracts may be up 
to $500,000 for a two-year performance period.

A total of 15 Phase 2 proposals were submitted by contractors 
completing Phase 1 projects. All proposals were peer-reviewed 
for both technical merit and commercial potential. The 
combined award total for the nine Phase 2 contracts is 
expected to be $4.5 million. 

The goals of the STTR 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 federally funded research results. Two of 
the nine companies being announced today are disadvantaged 
firms.

The program also requires small businesses to conduct 
cooperative research and development by partnering with a 
research institution.

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

A listing of the selected companies can be found on the 
Internet at:  http://sbir.nasa.gov

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