...continued from SBIR Basics - Part I
Each agency will solicit Phase I proposals throughout the year; the DoD solicits three times a year, whereas NASA solicits only once. All of these solicitation release dates (and sometimes pre-release dates) are posted on agency websites. A great starting point is http://www.sbir.gov. Find an agency that suits your service/product and industry well and find out when their solicitation release date(s) may be. Then:
1. Review all the topics publicized in the solicitation. Not only the topic titles, but also the description and objective;
2. Decide which topic(s) on which you wish to propose. Use the information you gleaned from the description and objective to decide if your business may have an INNOVATIVE approach, solution, or idea that matches the needs of the agency;
3. Review the solicitation. Make note of eligibility, format, content, and submission requirements. Also make note of certain restrictions and limitations;
4. Build your proposal. There is a short time line from when the solicitation is officially released to when proposals are due, typically it runs one month. Make sure you can build the company information, technical proposal, and pricing proposal in time;
5. Red Team your proposal. It is helpful to have an outside set of eyes review your proposal. As a business who is excited about your idea, it is great to have a sanity check to make sure you have clearly stated why you are innovative, how your work will be of a benefit to the government, and if you met the agency’s objectives;
6. Submit and wait. Sometimes it may be over four months before you hear back on your proposal. Sit tight, you will find out how it went once the agency has made its decisions.
Keep in mind that you want to promote your innovative approach or idea, your qualified employees, and your ability to take a Phase I idea through to Phase III. Matching those things with an agency’s need means easy opportunity for your business. As complicated as other non-SBIR solicitations and proposals can be to find and successfully win, the SBIR Program is set up to make it easy on the small business. It provides you with clear direction, a level playing field, decent profit, and an opportunity to grow your business with little risk.
Karta can help you to manage you deliverables, modifications and invoicing to help get your team to Phase II and beyond. Click here to try Karta free for 30 days.