• Preparing to Participate

    Ready to Submit a Solicitation Proposal for SBIR Ignite? Start Here!

    WAIT! Before you do anything else, perform these steps right away.

     

    Even if you're not sure about submitting a proposal, it's essential to register with SAM.gov.

     

    SBIR Ignite is a “government award”, so you need a System for Award Management (SAM) Registration

    in order to receive an award. (You must start the process prior to proposal, but it is not required to complete registration prior to proposal.)

     

    It’s free, easy and good to have.

     

    Note: If you already have it, you can skip this step.

    1

    Register with SAM.gov

    Here's How:

    Visit SAM.gov and click “Get Started”.

    Note: To be eligible for SBIR awards, firms must be registered under the applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes. For SBIR Phase I and II awards these codes are 541713 or 541715. It is recommended to list Purpose of Registration as “All Awards” on your SAM Registration.

    A video tutorial on this process is available here.

    2

    Register with SBIR

    Here's How:

    After completing Step One, you will have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) code.

     

    Using that code,

    Register with SBIR here.

  • Review other resources available to you

    There are several government programs and entities specially designed to assist with the successful development of small businesses. For some programs, you can request funding to support this assistance with your proposal.

    An optional training program that helps startups and small businesses to understand customer discovery. I-Corps awards up to $10,000, made separately from the SBIR Phase I Contract. There is a form available to specifically indicate your interest in this program with your proposal.

    You can request an additional supplement to your award ($6500 in Phase I) to purchase technical and business assistance services through outside vendors. If you desire, you will add a TABA request in your proposal (it will not be used in the evaluation of your proposal).

    If you decide to apply for TAV, you will add the application of the TAV request with your complete proposal package.

    PTACs are specially designed to help guide you through exactly this type of program proposal so that you can compete successfully in the government marketplace. Click the link above, then choose your state, and find your local advisors.

    The SBA maintains a network of Initiatives and program offices to help small businesses succeed. Click the link above, then enter your zip code, and select “Small Business Development Centers” to find your local resources.

    Although SBIR Ignite is focused on commercialization, TRL will be a part of the proposal evaluation criteria. You’ll need this information to complete your Proposal Abstract.

    We have collected questions submitted by innovators and provided the answers here.

  • Creating Your Proposal: The Basics

    NOTE: THIS SOLICITATION IS NO LONGER OPEN.
    To review the entire solicitation, visit NASA SBIR Ignite 2022 Program Solicitation

    Consider Which Focus Topic Area Fits

    See detailed descriptions of the focus topics here. There may be some crossover of applicable areas for your technology, but you must select just one. NASA will not move your proposal between topics. To hear directly from each topic author, check out "Program Details and Focus Topics" on our info page.

    Decide Who Represents Your Firm

    Assign a Principal Investigator. The PI is usually one of the founders of the company, someone who is most fluent in speaking about the company and leading decision making. The PI must be primarily employed with the company, and not employed full-time anywhere else. Even though many small businesses have co-founders, naming a co-Principal Investigators is not allowed.

    Formatting and Design Criteria

    There are very few formatting and design requirements for this proposal. Where applicable, you do have creative license to express your ideas in your own narrative tone. As you create your proposal, keep the following style guidelines in mind:

    • Your proposal will be uploaded online in the form of a single ZIP folder, to be labeled “Firm Name_Proposal Title”.
    • Name your project using concise and descriptive words related to the proposed effort. No acronyms should be used, and the research topic title should not be used. Also, do not include phrases like "development of" or "study of" in the proposal title.
    • Do not use type size smaller than 10 point except for legends on reduced drawings.
    • Use headers and footers or margins to insert firm name, project title, page numbers, and applicable proprietary markings on all pages.

    Restrictions

    Do not include classified information anywhere in your proposal. However, if you are including trade secrets or commercial/financial information that you wish to be treated in confidence (to the extent permitted by law), you must clearly mark the proposal accordingly:


    Add this legend to the title page of your proposal, in italics:
    This proposal contains information that shall not be disclosed outside the Federal Government and shall not be duplicated, used, or disclosed in whole or in part for any purpose other than evaluation of this proposal, unless authorized by law. The Government shall have the right to duplicate, use, or disclose the data to the extent provided in the resulting contract if award is made as a result of the submission of this proposal. The information subject to these restrictions is contained on all pages of the proposal except for pages [insert page numbers or other identification of pages that contain no restricted information].


    And, add this legend to each page that contains the protected information:
    Use or disclosure of information contained on this sheet is subject to the restriction on the title page of this proposal.

  • Creating Your Proposal: The Forms

    These forms are standardized for SBIR programs and will be used in your proposal.

    View all submission forms at: Chapter 8. Submission Forms within the full NASA solicitation.

     

    NOTE:

    If you do not have the information requested in a form, you can leave that section blank.

    If your information does not fit within the form fields, use other techniques to edit the form.

    Do not let a broken form or missing information prevent you from submitting your proposal!

    If NASA requires information from you, they will request it from you.

    Firm Forms (to be completed once per firm - if you apply for other programs, you'll use these forms again.)

    Scroll to the "Firm Forms" section within Chapter 8.1 here. Complete these forms for Phase I:

    Firm Information - Please note that this form still asks for a DUNS even though DUNS has been replaced by UEI. Leave the DUNS field blank if applicable.

    Firm Certifications

    Audit Information

    Prior Awards Addendum (if you've received more than 15 Phase II awards in the past 5 years)

    Proposal Forms (to be completed for each proposal)

    Scroll to the "Proposal Forms" section within Chapter 8.1 here. Complete these forms for Phase I:

    Proposal Cover Page to include Contact Information

    Proposal Certifications

    Proposal Abstract

    Proposal Budget +If applicable, these additional budget forms can be used:

    • Subcontractors/Consultants

    • Other Direct Costs - Materials

    • Other Direct Costs - Supplies

    • Other Direct Costs - Equipment

    • Other Direct Costs - Travel

    • Other Direct Costs - Other

    • Foreign Vendor Form

    Please Note: If your information does not fit within the form fields, use other techniques to edit the form.

    Do not let a broken form prevent you from submitting your proposal!

  • Your Proposal Checklist, Page by Page

    1. Proposal Cover Page

    The Cover Page is Page 1 of your Proposal. Use the Proposal Cover Page to include Contact Information found in the Proposal Forms section here.

    2. Proposal Certifications

    Use the Proposal Certifications form found in the Proposal Forms section here.

    3. Proposal Abstract

    The Proposal Abstract must not contain any proprietary data. In a paragraph or two, provide a summary of your proposal:

    • Briefly describe the problem or opportunity that you are addressing, and the solution that you propose. 
    • You might also briefly describe why your team is uniquely qualified to provide this solution using the SBIR funds. 
    • As you consider the “applications” for your proposal, consider the emerging aerospace market, and who the potential customers and end users of your proposal may be.
    Use the Proposal Abstract form found in the Proposal Forms section here.

    4. Proposal Budget

    Your Proposal Budget should include letters of commitment for government resources and subcontractors/consultants, other direct costs, and the foreign vendor form, if applicable.

    Use the Proposal Budget form, and any other applicable budget forms, found in the Proposal Forms section here.


    For a deep dive on Accounting System Requirements and Budget Basics, visit this tutorial.

    5. Slide Deck

    If slide decks are new to you, check out these examples online (these examples in no way represent NASA’s expectations or the requirements of this program).

    Slide Deck Formatting and Design:
    • Your Slide Deck can have up to 15 slides.
    • The slide deck title bars must include firm name and project title.

    A slide deck, also known as a pitch deck, is a way to provide visual storytelling to convey your company’s business purpose. NASA has proposed the following content outline to help shape your company's narrative.

     

    Slide Deck Content Outline:

     

    Part 1: The Market Opportunity:

    Commercial Potential—Quantitative Market Analysis

    1. Describe the market segment and potential commercial total addressable market (TAM) that is appropriate to the proposed innovation.
    2. Describe the proposed innovation in terms of target customers (e.g., NASA, other Federal agency, or commercial enterprise).
    3. Describe the competitive landscape by identifying potential competitors.

    Commercial Intent—Value Proposition

    1. Describe the commercial development.
    2. Describe the risks to the commercial development plan and what mitigations, if any, can be taken over a reasonable period to lessen the risks.

    Commercial Capability—How Will the Innovation Enter into a Market?

    1. Describe the current and future company capitalization efforts.
    2. As applicable, describe the approach, path to market, and revenues. (Companies with no SBIR/STTR awards or only fairly recent SBIR/STTR awards will not be penalized under past performance for the lack of past SBIR/STTR commercialization.)

    Intellectual Property (IP)

    1. Describe how you will protect the IP that results from your innovation.

    Assistance and Mentoring

    1. Describe the existing and future business relationships in terms of any formal partnerships, joint ventures, or licensing agreements with other companies/organizations.
    2. Describe the plans for securing needed technical or business assistance through mentoring, partnering, or through arrangements with state assistance programs, Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Federally funded research laboratories, Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers, Federal programs, or other assistance providers.

    Evidence of follow-on funding commitments:

    1. A letter of commitment* for follow-on funding and/or product sales.
    2. A letter of commitment* for matching funding to be provided for a future Phase II-E application.
    3. A letter of capital commitment, signed by the proper authority (CEO, CFO, etc.), that indicates a commitment to provide funding and/or product sales, should the Phase II project be successful, and the market need still exists.
    4. Letter of intent to provide funding should the Phase II project be successful, and the market need still exists.
    5. A specific plan to secure Phase III funding.

    Note: The slide deck should only include a list of these letters/commitments. The actual letters should be uploaded separately.

     

    Part 2: Key Personnel/Team

    Identify key individuals involved and their directly related education, experience, and bibliographic information. Where vitae are extensive, summaries should focus on the most relevant experience/publications to meet proposal size limitation. Note: The PI is considered key to the success of the effort and must make a substantial commitment to the project.

     

    Part 3: Facilities and Equipment

    Provide a detailed description, availability and location of instrumentation and physical facilities proposed. Items of equipment to be purchased must be fully justified under this section. When purchasing equipment or a product under the SBIR funding agreement, the small business should purchase only American-made items whenever possible.

    Government-furnished laboratory equipment, facilities, or services (collectively, “Government resources”) the offeror shall describe in this part why the use of such Government resources is necessary and not reasonably available from the private sector. See sections 3.5.3.4 and 5.13 for additional requirements when proposing use of such Government resources. The narrative description of resources should support the proposed approach and documentation in the Proposal Budget form. Note: Use of Federal laboratories/facilities for Phase I contracts is highly discouraged. Approval for use of Federal facilities and laboratories for a Phase I completed proposal package requires the Contracting Officer approval during negotiations if selected for award.

    6. White Paper

    If white papers are new to you, check out this online explainer (this article in no way represents NASA’s expectations or the requirements of this program).

     

    White Paper Formatting and Design:
    • Your White Paper can have up to 7 pages. Each page is to be a standard 8.5x11 inch page with one-inch margins.
    • White Paper headers must include firm name and project title. Footers must include the page number and proprietary markings if applicable. Margins can be used for header/footer information.

    A white paper provides a longer narrative about your company, your technology, and your solution. NASA requires the following content outline to be provided in the following order. All 7 parts of the white paper must be numbered and titled. Parts that are not applicable must be included and marked “Not applicable.” Complete instructions can be found here: Proposal Preparation Instructions and Requirements

     

    White Paper Content Outline:

    Page 1: Table of Contents (The white paper must begin with a brief table of contents indicating the page numbers of each of the parts.)

     

    Page 2: Identification and Significance of the Opportunity (Succinctly describe: 1- The proposed innovation. 2- The relevance and significance of the proposed innovation to an interest, need, or needs, within a focus topic. 3- The proposed innovation relative to the current state of the art.

     
    Page 3: Technical Objectives (State the specific objectives of the Phase I R/R&D effort as it relates to the problem statement(s) posed in the topic description and the types of innovations being requested. Indicate the proposed deliverables at the end of the Phase I effort and how these align with the proposed topic deliverables described within the focus topic.)

     
    Page 4: Work Plan (Include a detailed description of the Phase I R/R&D plan to meet the technical objectives. The plan shall indicate what will be done, where it will be done, and how the R/R&D will be carried out. Discuss in detail the methods planned to achieve each task or objective. The plan shall also include task descriptions, schedules, resource allocations, estimated task hours for each key personnel, and planned accomplishments (including project milestones). Offerors shall ensure that the estimated task hours provided in the work plan for key personnel are consistent with the hours reported in the Proposal Budget form. If the offeror is a joint venture or limited partnership, a statement of how the workload will be distributed, managed, and charged must be included here. )

     
    Page 5: Related R/R&D (Describe significant current and/or previous R/R&D that is directly related to the technical proposal including any conducted by the PI or by the offeror. Describe how it relates to the proposed effort and any planned coordination with outside sources. The offeror must persuade reviewers of his or her awareness of key recent R/R&D conducted by others in the specific subject area.)

     
    Page 6: Subcontractors/Consultants (Provide a detailed description, availability, and work to be done by subcontractors/consultants. The offeror must describe all subcontracting or other business arrangements and identify the relevant organizations and/or individuals with whom arrangements are planned. The expertise to be provided by the entities must be described in detail, as well as the functions, services, and number of hours. Offerors are responsible for ensuring that all organizations and individuals proposed to be utilized are available for the time periods proposed. Subcontract costs shall be documented in the Subcontractors/Consultants section of the Proposal Budget form and supporting documentation should be uploaded for each (appropriate documentation is specified in the form). The narrative description of subcontractors and consultants in the technical proposal should support the proposed approach and documentation in the Proposal Budget form. )

     
    Page 7: Related, Essentially Equivalent, and Duplicate Proposals and Awards (If an offeror elects to submit identical proposals or proposals containing a significant amount of essentially equivalent work under other Federal program solicitations, a statement must be included in each proposal indicating the following:

    The name and address of the agencies to which proposals were submitted or from which awards were received.
    Date of proposal submission or date of award.
    Title, number, and date of solicitations under which proposals were submitted or awards received.
    The specific applicable research topics for each proposal submitted or award received.
    Titles of research projects.
    Name and title of principal investigator or project manager for each proposal submitted or award received.
    Offerors are at risk for submitting essentially equivalent proposals and therefore are strongly encouraged to disclose these issues to the soliciting agency to resolve the matter prior to award.

    A summary of essentially equivalent work information, as well as related research and development on proposals and awards, is also required on the Proposal Certifications form (if applicable).)

    7. NASA Evaluation License Application, only if TAV is being proposed

    This section will not apply to your proposal if you are not requesting to participate in TAV, NASA’s Technology Transfer Program.

    Otherwise, include a PDF of the appropriate license application here.

    8. Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) request

    This section will not apply to your proposal if you are not requesting to utilize Technical and Business Assistance (TABA).

    Otherwise, complete and include the TABA request form.

     

    9. I-Corps Interest Form

    This section will not apply to your proposal if you are not requesting to participate in I-Corps.

    Otherwise, complete and include the I-Corps Interest Form.

    10. Firm-Level Forms

    These forms are unique to your company or small business concern. You can save these forms for re-use in other federal award programs.

    Find and complete all of these forms in the "Firm Forms" section here.

    If your information doesn't fit in the form fields, use other methods to edit the form. If the form asks for something you don't have, leave it blank.

    Firm Information

    Firm Certifications

    Audit Information

    Prior Awards Addendum (if you've received more than 15 Phase II awards in the past 5 years)

    11. Upload Your Proposal

    You will upload the complete proposal package as a single ZIP folder.

    The ZIP folder should follow the file naming convention: Firm Name_Proposal Title

    A complete proposal package for Phase I shall be received no later than 5:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, September 1, 2022.

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