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Transition Assistance


DARPA SBIR/STTR Transition Support Pilot Program


Objective


The objective of the DARPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Transition Support Pilot Program is to increase transition success for DARPA SBIR and STTR Phase II funded companies through the identification of viable Phase III funding sources, and potential government and commercial partners interested in collaborating with the companies to further mature the technology to Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7: System prototype demonstration in an operational environment. Achievement of this milestone takes the technology beyond the initial demonstration phase, which is typically the maximum achieved in Phase II, and is a keystep in a transition roadmap for the testing and fielding of new capabilities to the U.S. military and other federal agencies with similar requirements.

Approach

The Foundation for Enterprise Development (The Foundation), a U.S. owned non-profit organization, is assisting the DARPA Director, Small Business Programs in implementing the Pilot.

  • Transition Assistance
  • Success Reports
  • Outreach/Process Improvement
  • Company Participation Process
The Foundation will provide DARPA SBIR and STTR Phase II funded companies who elect to participate in the Pilot with assistance in preparing a Transition Plan as well as provide targeted assistance in identifying potential Phase III funding sources, and potential government and commercial partners with requirements for the technology under development. The Foundation will also provide suggestions on the development of project materials and facilitate introductions to the potential funding sources and partners. Focus will be on providing this assistance during Year 1 of the Phase II proposal.
The Foundation will document company transition successes in a brochure or other printed material for distribution at outreach events. Success Reports will be posted on the DARPA SBPO Web site.
The Foundation will capture lessons learned, best practices and help develop and implement process improvements to increase transition success for DARPA SBIR and STTR funded companies. We welcome feedback from the participating companies and the DARPA Program Managers during the Pilot.
Companies who elect to participate in the Pilot program will be asked to sign a Technology Transition Support Agreement (TTA) that specifies what activities will be performed by the Foundation and the SBIR and STTR Company’s obligations and other provisions. Once the agreement is signed, the transition support will begin.

 

DARPA SBIR/STTR Transition Planning Guide –Framework, Checklists, and References to Key Resources


This guide covers the unique aspects of transitioning technology funded by the DARPA SBIR/STTR programs, and provides a framework that integrates three components—technology, business, and market—for Phase II companies to augment their commercialization strategy for implementation and, if Phase I, to support development of a commercialization strategy for inclusion in a Phase II proposal. In addition, there is a set of checklists, templates, and resource lists to assist companies in addressing and compiling the critical and interrelated pieces of information needed to determine which of the multiple available options to pursue with a specific transition path.


DARPA SBIR/STTR Transition Planning Guide (download .pdf)