NASA shifts SBIR/STTR to BAA model with higher funding caps

WASHINGTON - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is transitioning its Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/SBTR) programs to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) model to procure early-stage research and development from small businesses, agency officials announced.

The new BAA, issued under Federal Acquisition Regulation 35.016, establishes a framework for NASA to solicit proposals through a series of appendices released throughout the announcement’s effective period. Each appendix will define specific research topics, submission requirements, and timelines for Phase I and Phase II opportunities.

NASA officials say the shift is intended to provide greater flexibility in aligning solicitations with evolving mission needs across its directorates, programs, and centers. The agency expects to release two to three appendices per fiscal year, covering a broad range of research and technology subtopics aligned with current NASA mission priorities.

Commercial aims

The SBIR and STTR programs are designed to stimulate technological innovation, meet federal research and development requirements, and increase commercialization of federally funded technologies. Unlike traditional investment mechanisms, the programs provide equity-free funding for early-stage research.

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Under the updated structure, maximum award values have increased by 50 percent to $225,000 for Phase I efforts and $1,275,000 for Phase II projects. Technology Acceleration and Business Assistance funds are now included within those totals and must comply with the revised funding caps.

Phase I projects focus on demonstrating technical feasibility and potential applications in NASA missions or commercial markets. These efforts typically last six months for SBIR and up to 13 months for STTR. Phase II projects build on successful Phase I work, emphasizing detailed technical development and commercialization strategies, with periods of performance up to 24 months.

Only companies that receive Phase I awards under the BAA will be eligible to submit Phase II proposals. NASA does not accept unsolicited Phase II proposals, and selections will be made through competitive evaluation processes defined in each appendix.

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The agency conducts a multi-stage review process that includes administrative screening, technical responsiveness evaluation, commercial potential assessment, and price analysis. For Phase II proposals, commercial viability will be assessed by third-party reviewers with expertise in commercialization.

NASA officials also emphasized that proposals must clearly align with the technical subtopics identified in each appendix. Submissions that fail to demonstrate responsiveness will be removed from consideration without further evaluation.

The program is managed by the NASA SBIR/STTR Program Management Office at NASA Ames Research Center in California, with procurement operations handled by the NASA Shared Services Center.

Eligibility details

Beyond Phase II, NASA supports continued technology maturation through post-Phase II initiatives and Phase III opportunities, in which follow-on development is funded by NASA programs, other government agencies, or private-sector customers. These later-stage efforts are intended to transition innovations into operational use or commercial markets.

Eligibility requirements remain consistent with federal small-business standards. Companies must have no more than 500 employees, including affiliates, and must meet the ownership and control criteria defined by the Small Business Administration. Certain venture-capital-owned firms may be ineligible unless otherwise specified in individual appendices.

The agency named Kenneth E. Albright as the primary point of contact for this BAA. They can be reached via email at
[email protected]. More information, including updated program details, is available at https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/bf991b7587b1438ca7930a9b840635dc/view.