Ray Friesenhahn
SBIR & Technology Transition Manager
900 Technology Blvd. Suite A
Bozeman, MT 59718
Phone: (406) 994-7726
Email: rayf@montana.edu

TechLink DoD Assistance Program

Support Provided for companies selected for TechLink’s DoD SBIR Phase I & Phase II assistance¹:

• Experienced Guidance in working with DoD organizations, laboratories and managers. TechLink is an authorized U.S. Department of Defense Partnership Intermediary (per authority 15 U.S.C. 3715), and has developed close working relations with all major Defense laboratories. Assistance can include help in finding appropriate additional DoD program managers and scientists to contact, guidance on DoD programs and background considerations, assistance in finding and working with appropriate prime contractors, and determining other DoD applications for specific technologies.
• Up to $1,500 Travel Reimbursement² for pre-approved travel to meet with DoD Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs), other key DoD personnel, or appropriate prime contractors, related to proposal development. Closer interaction with TPOCs and DoD technologists is a major advantage in preparing proposals that effectively address specific DoD needs, while providing potential reviewers a better perspective of the company. Due to federal acquisition regulations, any meetings with TPOCs, where permitted, must occur before the "Blackout Date." Contact TechLink for details.
• Guidance in Transition and Commercialization planning, with additional detailed help from outside professionals, where appropriate. Beginning with a workable plan for transition from the very start can help in crafting a much more competitive proposal, while helping to set the stage for your company’s long-term business success.
• Professional Graphic Art Assistance - While building strong customer relations is a critical first component for success in the DoD SBIR program, successful business people also recognize the value of professional-looking visual imagery in making a strong impression and conveying complex ideas clearly and succinctly. Your graphics not only help to explain your technology, they can convey an impression of how capable and experienced your company is, and even whether or not the program manager might be taking a risk in contracting with your company. Graphics cannot be left as an afterthought, so set up your schedule for this service as soon as possible.
• Professional Proposal Reviews, providing critical feedback that often confers a key advantage for writing a winning proposal. Our highly-experienced reviewers have received frequent praise from both successful companies and SBIR newcomers alike, for their contributions to the success of numerous SBIR/STTR proposals.
• Grant Incentives for timely completion of a complete draft proposal for review and subsequent follow-up. Last-minute proposal writing is a major common failure point for less-experienced companies, so payments are structured to encourage early proposal preparation, with adequate time for review and improvements. See Payment Schedule.

1. All payments contingent upon proof of submission of proposal to DoD by requisite deadline!

2. No more than one DoD Phase 1 Assistance travel award and grant per company or PI per DoD solicitation.