WASHINGTON – The U.S. Army has announced another round of new contracts for small business innovation in technology areas that are critical to meeting the service’s acquisition and modernization goals.

The Office of Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied Small Business Innovation Research Program notified eight small businesses of their selection for a Phase I contract award of up to $250,000 each, and five other small businesses of their selection for a Direct to Phase II contract award of up to $1.7 million each for their innovative solutions in system monitoring and radar targeting sensors, artificial intelligence/machine learning, and climate and clean technologies.

Each contract opportunity was shaped in partnership with an Army program executive office and/or research and development laboratory to appropriately align SBIR investments with Army modernization priorities and the DOD’s key science and technology areas – with particular focus on capabilities most likely to transition to Soldier use.

“The Army program offices and labs were fully involved in developing these contract opportunities based on the technologies they need from industry to deliver their programs,” said Dr. Matthew Willis, director of Army prize competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program, led by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. “We have adapted the Army SBIR Program to be more responsive, releasing contracts on an ad hoc, rolling basis, which allows Army program managers to capitalize on small-business innovation at a time that aligns with program schedules.”

Three small businesses were selected for Phase I contracts for “Staring Sensors for Pilot Situational Awareness”:

• Maztech Industries, Irvine, California
• NewBridge Partners Inc, Herndon, Virginia
• Toyon Research Corp, Goleta, California

Five small businesses were selected for a Phase I contract for “Art+Science Geospatial Innovation”:

• EpochGeo, Washington, D.C.
• Reinventing Geospatial Inc, Fairfax, Virginia
• Securboration Inc, Melbourne, Florida
• Stottler Henke Associates Inc, San Mateo, California
• Triton Systems Inc, Chelmsford, Massachusetts

One small business was selected to receive a Direct to Phase II award for “Enzyme Fuel Cell”:

• Electric Drivetrain Technologies LLC, Moab, Utah

Two small businesses were selected to receive a Direct to Phase II award for “Carbon-Free Soldier Power Generator”:

• FuelX Innovation Inc, Aiken, South Carolina
• Lynntech Inc, College Station, Texas

Finally, two small businesses were selected to receive a Direct to Phase II award for “Advanced Circuit Breaker Technology for Power Distribution and Management Solutions”:

• Defense Engineering Services LLC, Charleston, South Carolina
• Intellisense Systems Inc, Torrance, California

Phase I contracts are awarded to small businesses and non-traditional vendors that have shown technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential of their proposed solutions, as well as their ability to provide the Army that solution and earn further federal support in Phase II. The Direct to Phase II award is for solutions that are more mature and ready for demonstration.

The Army Applied SBIR Program offers a valuable opportunity for small businesses to interact with technical, acquisition and operational subject-matter experts, who provide insight into technology needs and guide small businesses through the Army research and development ecosystem. Small businesses are teamed up with technical points of contact, who serve as a resource for companies as they mature their technologies for insertion into Army acquisition programs. Additionally, the program’s flexibility and timeliness in responding to the Army’s emerging technology needs maximize the initial cash flow for small businesses while minimizing the time to contract.

The Army Applied SBIR Program releases contract opportunities on a rolling basis to respond to the Army’s current and anticipated warfighting technology needs. For a list of open topics and eligibility information, visit https://www.armysbir.army.mil/.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology provides the American Soldier with a decisive advantage in any mission by developing, acquiring, fielding and sustaining the world’s finest equipment and services, and by leveraging technologies and capabilities to meet current and future Army needs. For more information, go to https://www.army.mil/asaalt/.