The SBIR and STTR programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development, or R/R&D, with the potential for commercialization. Including qualified small businesses in the nation’s R&D arena stimulates high-tech innovation, and the United States gains entrepreneurial spirit while meeting specific research and development needs.
Assisted Acquisition Services predominantly awards and administers SBIR or STTR Phase III contracts. The objective of Phase III is for small businesses to pursue commercialization of the objectives resulting from Phase I/II R/R&D activities. AAS also awards and administers Phase I/II work on behalf of clients in participating agencies.
Collaborating with AAS on SBIR/STTR Projects
Navigating SBIR/STTR contracts can be complex, but Assisted Acquisition Services provides expert support; here’s a step-by-step overview of how AAS works with you to award and administer these contracts.
Client: Contact GSA and provide the initial information about the requirement.
GSA: Obtains additional information on cyber supply chain risk management, construction, weapons systems, data rights, and SBIR disclosures to determine whether a Phase III award can be made.
Client and GSA: If accepted, a GSA team will be assigned, and you will provide intake documents. The team will assist you where necessary.
Client and GSA: Works with you to complete all technical and pre-solicitation documentation.
GSA and awardee: A request for proposal is sent to the SBIR/STTR awardee.
Client and GSA: Reviews the proposal and ensures compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements before an award can be made.
GSA: Contracting officer awards the contract.
GSA and awardee: Ensures contractor compliance with all requirements during contract administration.
Acquisition timelines
The time it takes to award a new Phase III contract depends on several factors, including the type of contract, ceiling value, maturity of requirements, and available resources. On average, agencies can expect about 180 days from the time we receive a complete requirements package. Early in the process, your AAS project manager will create a detailed acquisition schedule and provide updates throughout.
Phase III awards
Phase III contracts may result from prior Phase I, Phase II, or earlier Phase III agreements. They do not have to be awarded by the agency that funded the earlier phases. As long as the new work is derived from, extends, or completes work from those agreements, any federal agency can award a Phase III funding agreement.
Resources for agencies and businesses
For more information about SBIR/STTR, see:
Preparing to work with AAS
To begin the process of working with AAS, agencies should first provide a high-level overview of the project. This will allow us to confirm capacity and determine whether we can accept the requirement. Email gsasbir-sttr@gsa.gov to contact our SBIR/STTR team. Please include the following details in your message:
- Full name
- Email address
- Your organization
- A brief description of your project
- Any additional information relevant to your inquiry
Fraud, waste, and abuse
View the Small Business Administration’s list of fraud, waste, and abuse.
To report suspected fraud, waste, and/or abuse on a SBIR/STTR work that has been awarded by AAS, please contact gsasbir-sttr@gsa.gov.