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SBIR/STTR ALERTING SERVICE * March 17, 2006

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The SBIR/STTR Alerting Service is a free service that provides bi-weekly notification of SBIR and STTR solicitation announcements, news and information, and Internet resources relevant to the SBIR/STTR programs. This service is provided by the Economic Development Office of Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).

Back issues of the SBIR Alert are available on the World Wide Web at http://www.pnl.gov/edo/sbir. Subscription and keyword search instructions appear at the end of this newsletter.

NEWS IN THIS ISSUE

-- NSF FY-2007 SBIR/STTR Solicitation Released

-- Spring National and Regional SBIR Workshop Announcements

-- DHS FY06 SBIR/STTR Solicitation Opens

-- DoD FY06 STTR Solicitation Opens

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SBIR/STTR NEWS AND INFORMATION

-- NSF FY-2007 SBIR/STTR Solicitation Released

The National Science Foundation (NSF) recently posted their FY-2007 SBIR/STTR solcitation on their website (http://www.nsf.gov/eng/sbir/). NSF will begin acctpting proposals on May 13, 2006. Proposals will be due June 13, 2006, and must be in response to the following four topics:

Advanced Materials (AM)

Manufacturing Innovation (MI)

Emerging Opportunity (EO)

Information Technology (IT)

There are several subtopics associated with the broad main topics listed above. See the solicitation for the complete topic descriptions. It also worth noting that NSF has increased the phase I award limit in the STTR program from $100,000 to $150,000, while the SBIR award amount remains at $100,000.

For more information, contact the NSF SBIR Program office at , or (703) 292-8050.

-- Spring National and Regional SBIR Workshop Announcements

Several new regional workshop announcements have recently been added to the 'CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS' section of this newsletter. These workshops provide an opportunity to improve proposal preparation skills and often offer a chance for one-on-one discussions with Agency representatives. There are nearly two dozen workshops in locations all over the country scheduled this spring, including proposal preparation workshops taught by Greenwood Consulting Group, Inc., and the 2006 Spring National Conference which is outlined below:

Registration is Now Open for the 2006 Spring National SBIR/STTR Conference!

Join us May 15-18, 2006 in Louisville, KY for the National SBIR/STTR Conference and get all the information you need to successfully compete for SBIR and STTR Awards. Conference highlights include:

- Four Tracks

Track A: Getting Started

Basics of Proposal Preparation; Basics of a Business Plan; Credible Team Building; Leveraging & Protecting I.P.; Partnering; Evaluation Process; and an Overview of a Commercialization Plan

Track B: Making the Process Work

Valuation of Your Technology; Introduction to Phase II Cost Proposal; Corporate Alliances; Business Management Team for Commercialization & Business Development; Accounting & Auditing; Planning for Commercialization, including Licensing

Track C: Using SBIR/STTR to Build Your Business

Basics of Marketing; Valuation of Your R&D Company; Success Stories; How to Pitch Your Story to VC, Angels, etc.; and Commercialization to Procurement

Track D: Special Topics

Rural Technology Development & Commercialization; Tech Transfer - Easy or Difficult; How to Launch a Business; Success Stories of University Spinoffs or Partnerships; Faculty Entrepreneurship; Compatibility of Faculty & Students in a Business Environment

- Bonus Sessions: Compliance and Regulatory Issues and Manufacturing Issues

- E-submission questions and answers from agencies using this submission method

- Multiple Networking Opportunities

- Meet Federal Agency Representatives

- Exhibits and One-on-Ones

- Pre- and Post-Conference Workshops (additional fee required), including Phase I and Phase II proposal preparation and basic accounting for government contracts

- Small Business Tech Expo co-located with the SBIR/STTR Conference

For program, registration, hotel and travel information, visit the SBIR/STTR National Conference Website: www.SBIRworld.com/KY, email: , or call the SBIR Conference Center at 360-683-5742.

-- DHS FY06 SBIR/STTR Solicitation Opens

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) is now accepting proposals in response to its FY06.1 SBIR/STTR. The deadline for receipt of proposals is April 10, 2006. The solicitation is available in PDF file format to view/download at the HSARPA SBIR website at http://www.dhssbir.com.

All questions about the solicitation, the proposal preparation and electronic submission should be submitted via the website or by calling the Help Desk toll free number at 1-800-754-3043. However, keep in mind that since HSARPA is now accepting proposals, contact with HSARPA is now restricted for reasons of competitive fairness, and therefore, all written questions submitted to will be answered and posted electronically for general viewing to the HSARPA website. It is a good idea to monitor the FAQ page during the solicitation period for questions and answers, and other information relevant to the topic under which you are proposing.

-- DoD FY06 STTR Solicitation Opens

The Department of Defense (DoD) is now accepting proposals in response to its FY06 STTR Solicitation. The deadline for receipt of proposals is April 14, 2006. The solicitation is available to view/download in PDF, HTML, or WORD file formats on the DoD SBIR/STTR Web Site at http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir or the DoD SBIR Resource Center at http://www.dodsbir.net/.

As indicated on the website:

Direct communication between proposers and topic authors is no longer permitted, however, proposers may still submit written questions about solicitation topics through the SBIR/STTR Interactive Topic Information System (SITIS), in which the questioner and respondent remain anonymous and all questions and answers are posted electronically for general viewing until the solicitation closes. All proposers are advised to monitor SITIS (06 Q&A) during the solicitation period for questions and answers, and other significant information, relevant to the STTR 06 topic under which they are proposing.

Proposal Preparation and Submission: All STTR Proposal Cover Sheets and Company Commercialization Reports must be prepared and submitted electronically through the DoD SBIR/STTR Electronic Submission Web Site http://www.dodsbir.net/submission/, as described in Sections 3.0 and 6.0 of the program solicitation. For components requiring complete electronic submission, technical proposals must be uploaded through the Submission Website.

If you are unable to download any of these files, please contact our Help Desk (by Email, or phone 866-SBIRHLP (866-724-7457)) for assistance. If you wish to be notified via email of future DoD SBIR/STTR solicitations and events, then subscribe to our listserv.

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CONFERENCES AND WORKSHOPS

NATIONAL

2006 Spring National SBIR/STTR Conference, Louisville, KY, May 15-18, 2006. The National Science Foundation, in association with the Small Business Administration and all 11 SBIR agencies, is sponsoring this 2006 Spring National SBIR/STTR Conference. Participants will have opportunities to meet and network with SBIR and STTR Program Managers, and fellow attendees, including SBIR/STTR award winners, speakers, and experts from businesses and the government. For program, registration, hotel and travel information, visit www.SBIRworld.com/KY, email , or call the SBIR Conference Center at 360-683-5742.

National SBIR Fall 2006 Conference, Milwaukee, WI, November 6 - 9, 2006. The National Science Foundation, in association with the Small Business Administration and all 11 SBIR agencies, is sponsoring this 2006 Fall National SBIR/STTR Conference. For more information, contact Sharon DelaBarre at or 360-683-5742.

REGIONAL

Fifth Annual SBIR Conference, Missoula, MT, March 21-22, 2006. Pre-Conference activities feature three targeted mini-workshops: STTR Funding, Getting Started in the SBIR Program, and Intellectual Property Strategies. Federal prime contractors and federal agency program managers from USDA, DoD, and NASA will make presentations at the main conference. Breakout sessions will address University centers that want to work with small companies, Montana seed funding resources, and other research institute opportunities. For more information, visit www.medamembers.org/sbiragendamarch06.html, or contact Linda Brander at 406-841-2749 or .

Tri-state SBIR Conference, Roanoke, VA, March 21- 23, 2006. This conference will provide professionals and researchers with an understanding of the focus of the SBIR/STTR programs, and the information required to prepare competitive proposals. Respective state sessions (VA, NC, WV) will focus on state and regional services available to small business firms seeking SBIR and other federal Research and Development funding. Key spokesmen from universities and business will be present. For more information, visit http://www.sw.edu/ptac/TRIStateForum%20Web/roanoke.html, or contact John Ujvari at 919-962-8287 or .

SBIR/STTR Phase I Writing Workshop, Ames, IA, March 21, 2006. This workshop will provide an overview of the SBIR/STTR programs, describe the differences between contracting agencies and granting agencies, and offer tips on how to make your proposal more competitive. Exercises and worksheets will also be provided to help facilitate the grant writing process. There will also be presentations on university resources available to Iowa companies. For more information, visit www.techtransfer.iastate.edu, or contact Kris Johansen at 515-294-3208 or .

* SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposal Preparation Boot Camp, Fresno, California, March 22-23, 2006. The proposal preparation workshop held on the first day of this event will cover everything from the basics of SBIR/STTR to a simple but effective four step process for developing a competitive Phase I proposal. It will also include ample worksheets and time for attendees to begin developing important parts of their Phase I proposals. The second day will conclude with a tutorial on cost proposals and an overview of Phase II. For more information, contact .

* SBIR/STTR Conference, Tampa, Florida, March 27-28, 2006. The first day of this event will include a Phase 1 proposal preparation workshop that will cover the basics of SBIR/STTR, a four step process for developing a Phase 1 proposal, and give attendees an opportunity to critique as a group a sample Phase 1 proposal. On the second day, representatives of many of the SBIR/STTR agencies will offer briefings of their programs and be available to meet with attendees one-on-one. For more information or to register, visit http://www.floridasbdc.com/SpecialPrograms/Technology/2006%20FL%20SBIR%20Conference%20Tampa/FLSBIRTampa.asp, email or contact Lewis C. Attardo at or 850.473.7800.

SBIR/STTR Competitive Checklist Workshop, Charlottesville, VA, March 27, 2006. This half-day workshop reviews a "checklist" covering key areas of your SBIR and STTR proposal, allowing you to consider making appropriate modifications prior to submission. A great refresher course, it’s ideal for novice and experienced grant writers who want to make their next SBIR or STTR proposal more competitive. For more information, contact Robert Brooke at or 703-689-3080.

* SBIR/STTR Phase I and Phase II Proposal Preparation Workshops, Tucson, Arizona, March 29-30, 2006. The first day of this event will include a Phase 1 proposal preparation workshop that will cover the basics of SBIR/STTR and a four step process for developing a Phase 1 proposal. The second day will cover Phase II of the SBIR/STTR programs, and include important information like recommendations for preparing a Phase II proposal and commercialization as it applies to the Phase II proposal and project. For more information contact .

How To Win SBIR Financing(SM), Cambridge, MD March 29, 2006. The U. of MD Horn Point Lab and Maryland TEDCO will sponsor this business development workshop that teaches how to evoke the desired responses in reviewers of SBIR/STTR applications. This workshop also includes direct consulting on your application while the class listens. For more information, contact John Davis at , or 410-315-8101.

SBIR Seminar Featuring NIH, Chapel Hill, NC, April 6 2006. This workshop will include an NIH SBIR/STTR program overview and information on the NIH electronic submission process, forming a SBIR/STTR eligible company and an SBIR success story case study. For more information, visit http://www.sbtdc.org/events/sbir/workshops2006.

* SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposal Preparation Workshops, Knoxville, Nashville and Memphis, Tennessee, April 3-5, 2006. These workshops will cover the basics of SBIR/STTR, a simple but effective four step process for developing a competitive Phase I proposal, and will invite attendees to review and comment on a sample Phase I proposal. For more information, contact .

DCAA/Government Accounting Seminar, Denver, CO, April, 4-5 2006. This seminar will cover DCAA Pre award audits, system audits, provisional billing rates audits, incurred cost audits- submissions, polices and procedures, internal controls, government accounting regulations, floor checks, vouchers, how to manage subcontractors, establishing an adequate accounting system and more. This seminar may also be attended online. For more information, visit http://www.gov-con.us, or contact Tiffany Jones at 303-327-1542 or .

SBIR BioScience Competition & Event, Farmington, CT, April 5, 2006. The Connecticut SBIR Office will award 15 completed commercialization reports. The day will focus on the early stage of a product's lifecycle: Idea -- feasibility -- funding. Keynote Speakers: Kathleen Shino, Acting NIH SBIR/STTR Program Coordinator, who will discuss all the the new SBIR programs in the Health and Human Services arena, and Dr. Phyllis Speser, CEO of Foresight Science & Technology, who will present information regarding the Go/No GoTM analyses and SBIRs. For more information or to register, visit http://www.ccat.us/sbir/bioscienceregistration.htm, or contact Deb Santy at or 860-282-4209.

Annual New Mexico SBIR/STTR Conference, Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 10-11, 2006. This conference committee is putting together a very interesting agenda that will include a number of sessions, presentations by SBIR/STTR agency reps, and one-on-one opportunities. For more information, contact or .

* SBIR/STTR Phase I Proposal Preparation Workshop, Gainesville, Florida, April 20, 2006. This workshop will provide a strong overview of the SBIR/STTR programs and a comprehensive four-step process for developing a competitive Phase I proposal. Attendees will have the opportunity to review a real SBIR proposal, discuss it as a group, and learn the benefits and limitations of sample proposals. For more information or to register, contact .

SBIR Seminar Featuring NASA, Greensboro, NC, April 27, 2006. This workshop will include a general SBIR/STTR program overview, a NASA SBIR/STTR program overview, information on forming a SBIR/STTR eligible company and an SBIR success story case study. For more information, visit http://www.sbtdc.org/events/sbir/workshops2006.