Get to Know Us
WHO WE ARE
We make it easy for you to do business with the Army. Through competitive, awards-based programs, the Army Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs identify the top emerging technologies to meet critical Army priorities, bringing innovation into our world-class Army systems and transitioning life-saving solutions into the hands of our Soldiers.
Who is Army SBIR?
The congressionally mandated Army SBIR Program fosters, encourages and strengthens the role of small businesses to meet Army research and development needs in the face of great-power competition
Executed under the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASA(ALT)) – the Army’s Chief Scientist – The Army SBIR Program helps businesses overcome the inherent challenges to working in government research and development compared to their larger counterparts. We connect companies with Soldiers and Army technical and subject matter experts to talk shop—whether it’s about the latest tech or the challenges on the battlefield.
Who is Army STTR?
The Army STTR Program is a sister program to Army SBIR. While STTR is like Army SBIR in its partnership to integrate small businesses into the Army space, here, the small business partners with a university, federally-funded research and development center, or a qualified non-profit research institution as part of their contract.
The small business must also be the prime contractor and perform at least 40 percent of the work while the research partner performs at least 30 percent. The balance can be done by either party and/or a third party.
How Are Topics Released?
The Army releases topics a little differently, infusing both predictability and flexibility for Army and small business needs. The Army SBIR and STTR program develops research topics that represent the Army’s current and anticipated warfighting technology needs. To respond to critical Army needs as they arise, topics are released on a monthly basis through an always-open Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). View our Schedule and Phases page to learn more.
Technology Areas: What Interests You?
Have we piqued your interest, and are you ready to explore the open topics? We are looking for the most innovative solutions in the following technology ecosystems.
- Sensors: The Sensors ecosystem focuses on sensors or electronic devices used to measure some physical parameter for enhanced automation through the Internet of Things.
- Immersive and Wearables: The Immersive and Wearables ecosystem focuses on the integration or extension of the real world through digital or simulated reality, such as augmented, virtual and mixed reality. Wearables focus on smart electronic devices that can be worn by or attached to the user to gather data or provide insight during mission operations.
- AI/ML: The AI/ML ecosystem focuses on technology that incorporates human intelligence into machines (AI), often by allowing machines to learn from data without being programmed explicitly (ML).
- Energy Resiliency: The Energy Resiliency ecosystem focuses on technologies that maximize efficiency and minimize emissions across a range of technology areas, with emphasis on expeditionary power solutions.
- Contested Logistics and Sustainment: The Contested Logistics and Sustainment ecosystem focuses on facilitating the development of technologies and systems that improve the efficiency, resiliency, and security of logistics operations in contested environments.