Phase I is the opportunity to establish the scientific, technical, commercial merit and feasibility of your proposed innovation. 

Army SBIR Phase I awards released through the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)), are typically a three- to six-month timeframe with awards generally up to $250K.

Army SBIR Phase I awards released through Army Futures Command (AFC), are typically a six-month timeframe with awards that are generally up to $111.5K (base) and a $56K option for companies selected for a Phase II.

For the Army STTR Program, traditional Phase I funds are typically a six-month timeframe with awards that are generally up to $173K.

If you establish the scientific and technical merit, as well as the commercial potential of your proposed innovation, you can compete for Phase II funding. 

Phase II is focused on the development, demonstration and delivery of your innovation from Phase I. Traditional Phase II funds provide continued research and development funding for successful Phase I projects and frequently result in the development of a prototype.

Army SBIR Phase II awards released through ASA(ALT), funds are typically an 12- to 18-month timeframe and generally up to $1.7M in award funding.

Army SBIR Phase II awards released through AFC, are typically a 24-month timeframe with awards that are generally up to $1.1M.

Army STTR Phase II awards, are typically a 24-month timeframe with awards that are generally up to $1.15M.

 The process for Phase II submissions has not changed, except for new topics released under the ASA(ALT) program this year.  In accordance with the Small Business Administration’s policy, any firm that receives a Phase I award is eligible to submit a Phase II proposal for that topic; for all topics prior to those released in the 21.4 cycle—with the exception of the xTechSearch 19.2/19.4 topics—please submit your Phase II proposal in accordance with the prior prescribed submission windows (e.g., 2021(a), 2021(b), etc.).  

For all current and future ASA(ALT)-specific topics (e.g., 21.4-006 to 034), if your firm receives a Phase I award, you will receive submission instructions for the Phase II proposal, including the Phase II solicitation window.  All Phase II proposals for each topic will be culled at the same time and reviewed concurrently. 

All current and future AFC-specific topics will continue to use the prescribed Phase II submission windows. 

A traditional Phase II contract follows the award of a Phase I contract. However, if you are an established company with direct customers and commercial sales, and you have a product that could be useful for the Soldier, you may skip Phase I and submit a Direct to Phase II proposal. 

Phase III transitions a company’s products, tools or services to market and is funded from sources outside of the Army SBIR|STTR Program, such as the government or private sector.   

The Army releases topics a little differently, infusing both predictability and flexibility for Army and small business needs.

To respond to critical Army needs as they arise, ASA(ALT) – the Army’s Chief Scientist – releases SBIR topics on a rolling basis on an always-open Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), which maximizes the initial cash-flow for companies while minimizing the time to contract. 

The AFC SBIR and STTR Programs develop a set of research topics that represent the Army’s current and anticipated war-fighting technology needs and release topics during three specific solicitation periods throughout the fiscal year. View our Schedule page to learn more.

Proposals can be submitted on the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal, also known as the DSIP Portal.  

During the pre-release phase, you can review the topics and ask questions about the open topics. Once the announcement opens, no direct (oral or written) conversations with the topic authors or any direct conversations with government representatives about specific topic matters are permitted.  

The timeframe for notification and award will be communicated in the individual solicitation instructions.