October 6, 2003

Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington
(Phone: 202/358-1979)
RELEASE: 03-318

NASA SELECTS 145 INNOVATIVE SMALL BUSINESS PROJECTS

NASA has selected 145 research proposals for negotiation of Phase 2 
contract awards for the agency's 2002 Small Business Innovation 
Research (SBIR) program. The selected projects, which have a total 
value of approximately $86.5 million, will be conducted by 119 small, 
high-technology firms located in 29 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. 

SBIR contractors completing their Phase 1 projects submitted 251 
proposals. These proposals were evaluated to determine that they meet 
SBIR Phase 1 objectives and are feasible research innovations for 
meeting agency needs.

Phase 2 continues development of the most promising Phase 1 projects. 
Selection criteria include technical merit and innovation, Phase 1 
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, Washington. Individual SBIR projects are 
managed by NASA’s ten field installations. 

A listing of the selected companies can be accessed on the Internet 
after 4 p.m. today at:



http://sbir.nasa.gov  

For information about NASA on the Internet, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov 

	
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