A look ahead...Army stated that the Phase 2 JP-8 was selected and in negotiations.. so what to look for from SBIR as we move toward commercialization.
"As noted, a principal goal of the SBIR program is for small businesses to commercialize their innovative product or service successfully. This commer cialization can include sales to the government through public procurement as well as sales through private commercial markets. In some cases, the technology can have dual uses, with the government gaining the benefit of an innovation, which later moves into the commercial market. In other cases, the initial award successfully meets the department’s goals, and no additional funds, or sales, are required.3
Commercializing SBIR-supported innovation is necessary if the nation is to capitalize on its SBIR investments. This transition is, however, challenging because it requires a small firm with an innovative idea to evolve quickly from a narrow focus on R&D to a much broader understanding of the complex systems and missions of federal agencies as well as the interrelated challenges of managing a larger business, developing sources of finance, and competing in the marketplace.
In cases where the federal government is the customer, small businesses must also learn to deal with a complex contracting system characterized by many arcane rules and procedures. Indeed, one major advantage of SBIR is that, to some extent, it permits small companies to sidestep some of the most impenetrable aspects of the procurement thicket that requires experienced experts in the federal acquisition regulations (FARs) to navigate and often works to the advantage of incumbents by providing the possibility of a sole source acquisition.4 This transition to commercial or agency use is supposed to take place in the final phase (Phase III) of the SBIR program."
Off to watch the Firestone Grand Prix downtown..hopefully the weather will hold off.. Didn't Jim do some work with a racing team? Hmmmm...
Enjoy the weekend
Looking at JUST THIS work....AFT personnel have had a full plate this past year!..what an amazing team!
In the near future, there will be two types of investors; those who understood the potential of AFTC ... and those who wish they took the time to understand the potential of AFTC.
