Reps. Calvert and McCollum: Long-Term Commitment to Small Business Innovators is Key to National Security

Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42) and Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-4) sent a letter urging the conferees reconciling the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act and the America Competes Act to support small business programs that drive innovation. Specifically, Reps. Calvert and McCollum – the bipartisan leaders of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee – urged for the inclusion of a long-term reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

"America's innovation is predominantly driven by small businesses who are eager to develop the latest cutting-edge technology," said Rep. Calvert. "With the help of programs like SBIR and STTR, we can leverage modest federal resources to develop and deploy these technologies into the field more quickly. To maintain our military superiority, America must continue to lead in innovation and ensure our warfighters have the technological edge against our adversaries. Congress should send a strong message by passing a long-term authorization of the SBIR and STTR programs."

According to the SBA, the SBIR and STTR programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization. Through a competitive awards-based program, SBIR and STTR enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. By including qualified small businesses in the nation's R&D arena, high-tech innovation is stimulated, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit as it meets its specific research and development needs.

###