Process Acceleration:
Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP)
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (P.L. 109-163, Section 252) authorizes a Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) under the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of each Military Department. The purpose of the CPP is to accelerate the transition of SBIR-funded technologies to Phase III, especially into systems being developed, acquired and maintained for the Warfighter. This can be done through activities that enhance the connectivity among SBIR-firms, prime contractors, and DoD science & technology and acquisition communities. It can also be accomplished by improving a SBIR firm's capability to provide the identified technology to the Department, directly or as a subcontractor.
Each Military Department is establishing a Commercialization Pilot Program. Additionally, each Department is developing criteria and processes to identify projects with the potential for rapid transition to Phase III and that are expected to meet high priority needs of their Department. A project's inclusion in the CPP is by invitation and at the discretion of the Departments. CPP participants may receive a variety of assistance services and/or opportunities to facilitate the transition of their projects. Participation in the CPP may also include modifications to existing Phase II contracts with additional non-SBIR funding, as well as additional SBIR funding beyond the normal SBIR funding guidelines, to enhance ongoing projects with expanded research, development, test, or evaluation to accelerate transition and commercialization. Additional reporting on CPP participants and results achieved is required.
Army
The 2006 National Defense Authorization Act encouraged commercialization of SBIR technologies through the authorization of a "Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP)," to accelerate the transition of SBIR technologies, products, and services to Phase III, including the acquisition process. As part of the pilot, the Secretary of the Army must identify SBIR research programs that have the potential for rapid transitioning and are expected to meet high priority Army requirements.
Click here for the Army's Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) web page.
Navy
Under the new OSD (AT&L) directed Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP), the Navy SBIR program will be structuring more of our Phase II contracts in a way that allows for increased funding levels based on the projects transition potential. This will be done through either multiple options that may range from $250K to $1M each, substantial expansions to the existing contract, or a second phase II award. For currently existing phase II contracts, the goals of the CPP will primarily be attained through contract expansions, some of which may significantly exceed the $750K recommended limits for Phase II awards not identified as a CPP project. All projects in the CPP will include notice of such status in their Phase II contract modifications.
Click here for the Navy's Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) web page.
Air Force
The Air Force has implemented a new, strategically driven process that directly links Program Executive Officer's representatives to Air Force Research Laboratory Technical Points of Contact (TPOCs) to generate topics that are of high interest to Air Force product centers. Successful implementation of this process occurred during FY06 & FY07. This technology-based needs-gathering process is ongoing. It translates the product center technology needs to SBIR topics using CPP "Transition Agents". Topic development now uses a focusing strategy resulting in optimal use of SBIR funds.
A second approach matches up product center prime/supply chain contractors with companies that are working a DoD SBIR Phase II in areas relevant to the product center's technology needs.
Industry selects small businesses to interview from data mined SBIR Phase II projects. These companies are invited to participate in an Air Force / Industry Technology Interchange Workshop. Following the workshop, transition agents contact participating prime/supply chain contractors to identify which small businesses share areas of mutual interest and are a potential partner. Transition agents re-engage with the corresponding product center that initiated the need and the TPOC that manages the SBIR project upon confirming a new teaming arrangement. All stakeholders enter into an agreement titled the SBIR Technology Transition Plan (STTP). The STTP identifies the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders as well as assistance required by the small business to achieve a Phase III project.
Click here for the Air Force's Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) web page.