Rep. Calvert Introduces Bill to Enhance Defense Department Support for Small Business Innovation Research Programs
Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) introduced legislation, H.R. 2005, that would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to identify promising Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs for inclusion in future budgets and plans. This requirement will bring transparency and awareness to entrepreneurial innovation projects. The legislation requires the Service Secretary to pick the top five SBIR/STTR programs that would provide new technologies or processes, future cost savings, or advance the national security capabilities of the United States. Representative Charlie Crist (FL-13) is the Democratic Lead of the legislation.
"Maintaining our technological edge is vital to ensuring the national security of America," said Rep. Calvert. "I am a big proponent of the SBIR and STTR programs because small businesses and entrepreneurs are the drivers of innovation. While we've seen DoD develop successful SBIR and STTR programs, all too often they fail to properly grow and scale the technology to the point where it can be fully integrated and commercialized. As we face advanced adversaries, like China, it is vital for DoD to nurture and realize the potential of our technological innovations."
SBIR and STTR programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in federal research/research and development with the potential for commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains an entrepreneurial advantage as it meets its specific research and development needs, with the ultimate goal of fielding capabilities more quickly and efficiently.
Unfortunately, the DoD fails to properly engage and grow successful SBIR programs. Too often, companies make it through Phase I and Phase II, but are never integrated into a program to grow and scale the innovation. Even when the DoD identifies a promising SBIR, due to inherent conflicts within the organization, there is no incentive to stay with the small business and commercialize, despite preferences written in the SBIR law. This failure to grow and scale innovation through the SBIR program is negatively impacting our ability to maintain and grow, superiority on land, sea, air, cyber, and space.
The Department of Defense's constantly shifting priorities jeopardize our ability to win the long-term competition with China. Congress has and continues to provide the Department with the tools needed to achieve military superiority. The Department's top innovation priority should be rapidly capitalizing on advanced technologies generated in the private sector. Rep. Calvert's legislation will enable them to do just that.