NASA News
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
John C. Stennis Space Center
(228) 688-3341 June 25, 2004
Stennis Space Center, MS 39529-6000
ASL-04-043
Paul Foerman
NASA News Chief
(228) 688-3341
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NASA STENNIS SPACE CENTER HOSTS SMALL BUSINESS CONTRACTS WORKSHOP
HANCOCK COUNTY, Miss. – The Office of External Affairs at NASA Stennis Space Center (SSC) hosted a workshop June 22 to educate university and small business representatives about Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts available through NASA and other government agencies.
The SBIR program was created to increase small business participation in research and development, encourage technological innovation in the U.S., meet federal research and development needs with the assistance of small businesses and to boost commercialization of innovations that originated from federal research and innovation. The SBIR program encourages participation from socially disadvantaged businesses.
The STTR program awards contracts to small businesses to participate in cooperative research and development with nonprofit research institutions, such as universities. Although the SBIR and STTR programs have many of the same objectives and requirements, the goal of the STTR program is to assist technology transfer from the research institution to a small business. University representatives attended the workshop to network with small businesses and determine how partnerships can be formed.
NASA centers award SBIR and STTR contracts based on the technological abilities of that center. Most contracts awarded by SSC focus on propulsion testing and Earth science applications.
“The SBIR and STTR programs are a great way for NASA, small businesses and research institutions to form partnerships that are beneficial for all involved,” said SBIR/STTR Program Manager Ray Bryant. “It is important for us to host these kinds of workshops to educate the public so they can take advantage of the opportunities these programs offer.”
“We heard from attendees that several new relationships were initiated between university faculty and small-business personnel before the day was even over,” said NASA SSC University Affairs Officer Dr. Ramona Travis. “That is exactly what we were hoping could occur – that this workshop would spur new partnerships with creative ideas to address our needs.”
Workshop participants Sharon and Myron Katz of Building Science Innovators said they attended the workshop to learn about available awards, network with NASA and other small-business representatives and see if the objectives of their business fit with NASA objectives.
“The workshop was well organized,” said Sharon Katz. “We received a good overview and lots of helpful information.” The Building Science Innovators representatives said they now know how to better prepare proposals.
For information about the SBIR/STTR programs at SSC, contact Bryant at (228) 688-3964.
2004 News Releases