Working with your local SBIR assistance provider is particularly important if you are new to the SBIR/STTR program, or if you are considering proposals for any agency other than the Department of Defense.

If you have made the commitment to become a qualified Defense contractor or subcontractor, and have already received a DoD Phase I SBIR or STTR contract, or found an appropriate Phase I topic, then TechLink’s experience and specialized programs supporting DoD’s technology transfer and transition needs can serve as a vital supplement to the local support you receive.

DoD Phase II Assistance:

Companies that have received a Phase I award from DoD must be invited to submit a Phase II proposal - the invitation process varies by DoD Component, but it is vital that you begin the process of positioning yourself for that invitation right away, even before you’ve signed your Phase I contract, if possible. If you have received notification of a Phase I award from DoD, please review the current guidelines and information on
TechLink’s DoD Phase II Assistance Program

DoD Phase I Assistance:

The DoD SBIR program is extremely competitive, and becoming even more so each year. To be able to compete effectively in the DoD SBIR program, you must not only have a very good idea that matches a specific solicitation topic requirements (see http://www.acq.osd.mil/sadbu/sbir/ for current DoD SBIR/STTR solicitations), but you must be able to convince Defense Program Managers that your team is best able to produce a working technology and get it into the hands of the Warfighter in the quantities and schedule needed (Defense Technology Transition). If you’re up to the challenge, please review the current guidelines and information on:
TechLink’s DoD Phase I Assistance Program

Other DoD Assistance:

TechLink is an authorized U.S. Department of Defense Partnership Intermediary per authority 15 U.S.C. 3715, and is currently the only such organization working nationwide with all DoD Components to assist companies in licensing of DoD-developed technologies for commercial applications, and establishing beneficial technology partnerships with these labs.

To find appropriate technologies from the Department of Defense that could benefit your technology development plans, please see TechLink’s listing of Available Technologies, or contact the TechLink Technology Manager who’s expertise best matches your specific technology interests.

Partnering with a DoD laboratory for Joint Technology Development, usually through a Cooperative Research & Development Agreement (CRADA), not only helps your company leverage the scientific expertise of the federal lab and its scientists, it also helps you gain an "insider’s perspective" on the needs of Defense labs and the military services, and increases your visibility and credibility for any future proposal development. For more information, please contact Ray Friesenhahn at (406) 994-7726, or rayf@montana.edu

If you have a currently-existing product you wish to sell to the military or other government agencies, please contact your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC). In Montana, your PTAC contact is:
Montana Procurement Technical Assistance Center (MPTAC)
Big Sky Economic Development Authority
http://www.bigskyeda.org/PTAC/
(406) 256-6871
Maureen Jewell, Program Director
jewell@bigskyeda.org
Adam Steadman, PTAC Procurement Specialist
steadman@bigskyeda.org

Phase II Assistance for Agencies other than DoD:

TechLink, in partnership with the Montana State University NSF-EPSCoR Program, has established the innovative Phase 1.5 Program to help Montana companies with current Phase I SBIR or STTR awards better compete for high-value Phase II awards. The program’s emphasis is on Commercialization Planning, which is a critical component often found lacking in Phase II proposals, and important to fostering sustainable industry growth in the state. For any Montana company with a current Phase I award, please see the current guidelines and information at:
Montana Phase 1.5 Program

Phase I Assistance for other Agencies:

TechLink, in partnership with the MSU NSF-EPSCoR Program, has developed a unique assistance program to help Montana companies better compete for Phase I SBIR awards. Based upon observation by experts that the single greatest factor for SBIR success, especially in rural states like Montana, is partnering with a research institution such as a university, the SBIR Partnerships Development Program has been developed to help foster such partnerships with Montana University System (MUS) researchers. For details, please see the current guidelines and information at:
SBIR Partnerships Development Program

SBIR/STTR Phase I counseling assistance is also available to any Montana company, regardless of interest in partnering with MUS researchers, from the Montana SBIR Program, which also has a periodic Phase 0 competition, with funding from the U of M NSF-EPSCoR Program, to provide grants of up to $5,000 to companies interested in developing future Phase I proposals.
All of these SBIR assistance programs in Montana are closely coordinated to ensure that all Montana companies have access to the most appropriate assistance and counseling to be able to better compete in the national SBIR/STTR programs. Montana now ranks in the top ten states in the nation for number of SBIR/STTR awards on a per capita or per Gross State Product (GSP) basis. Montana companies have been awarded more than $67 million in SBIR/STTR grants and contracts since the program began in 1984, with awards now approaching $10 million per year in the state.

The intent of the federal SBIR and STTR programs is to support the development of innovative technologies and processes that lead to successful new products and business growth. A number of Montana companies have now become commercially successful, after developing their technologies through SBIR and STTR support. Will your company be one of the next to join these ranks of successful technology businesses?