By Daniel Smoot, Office of Army Prize Competitions and Army Applied SBIR Program

WASHINGTON – Ten small businesses now count themselves among the ranks of companies that help address Army modernization priorities.

The Office of Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program notified the businesses of their selection for Phase I Small Business Innovation Research contract awards of up to $250,000 each for their development of solutions in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning and Clean Tech.

The Army Applied SBIR Program shaped these opportunities by collaborating with program executive offices and research and development laboratories to enhance partnerships with small businesses and to better support Soldiers’ operational capabilities.

“Army program offices and labs were pivotal in developing these contract opportunities,” said Dr. Matt Willis, director of Army Prize Competitions and the Army Applied SBIR Program, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology. “We work with Army customers, such as PEOs, to identify how industry can help deliver innovative technology solutions to their programs — not only to meet Soldiers’ needs but also to boost the U.S. industrial base.”

AI/ML for Nitramine Recrystallization and Coating awardees:

• Applied Sonics Inc, Denver
• Oceanit Laboratories Inc, Honolulu

Non-Hydrofluorocarbons-Based Fire Extinguishing awardees:

• Combustion Science & Engineering, Inc. Columbia, Md.
• Paragon Space Development Corporation, Tucson, Ariz.
• TDA Research, Inc, Golden, Colo.

Non-Refrigerant-Based System for Cabin Cooling awardees:

• Connecticut Analytical Corporation, Bethany, Conn.
• Mantel Technologies, Inc., Tacoma, Wash.
• Physical Sciences Inc., Andover, Mass.
• Triton Systems, Inc. Chelmsford, Mass.
• Warburgweiss Corporation, Natick, Mass.

The Army Applied SBIR Program provides Phase I contracts to small businesses and nontraditional vendors with technologies that show technical merit, feasibility and commercial potential. It also awards funding to businesses that can help achieve Army goals and earn further federal support in Phase II. The Direct to Phase II award is for already-mature solutions ready for demonstration.

Through the Army Applied SBIR Program, nontraditional vendors interact with technical, acquisition and operational subject matter experts. These specialists give insight into the Army’s technological needs and guide businesses through the Army research and development ecosystem.

The Army Applied SBIR Program releases contract opportunities on a rolling basis to respond to the Army’s current and expected warfighting technology needs. For eligibility information and a list of open solicitations, please visit the Army SBIR | STTR website.

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. It also leverages technologies and capabilities to meet current and future Army needs. For more information, please visit the Army ASA(ALT) website.