Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Paul Shapiro Senior Environmental Engineer Small Business Innovation Research SBIR Road Tour Midwest North Dakota-South Dakota-Iowa-Missouri-Indiana August 16-19, 2016 Office of Research and Development National Center for Environmental Research
National SBIR Goals Create productive jobs Stimulate technological innovation Commercialize Federally-funded R&D Address priority problems of mission agencies Increase number of women- and minority-owned technology companies
11 Agencies Have SBIR Programs ~ 3% of each agency s extramural R&D budget must be devoted to SBIR Total Resources for all agencies ~ $2.5 billion per year NASA DOE NSF All Others NIH DOD
SBIR at EPA Small program BIG mission: Protect Human Health and the Environment
EPA s Approach Very focused topics that address the Agency s high priority problems High risk high reward projects Equal weight to commercial and technical potential Technologies that will disrupt a field Technologies that will be a platform for other applications
Program Budget ~ $4.6 M Phase I: Proof of Concept One solicitation per year $100,000 for 6 months Approximately 20 awards Phase II: Develop & Commercialize Technology $300,000 for 2 years Commercialization Option of $100,000 Provide commercialization support ($5,000) to all Phase I and Phase II Companies
2-Stage Proposal Review External Peer Review Criteria Commercialization (50%): Need for Technology, Management and Technical Capabilities, Disruptive Potential Technical(50%): Technical Soundness, Demonstration/Performance, Life Cycle (Environmental) Impacts Internal Relevancy Review Criteria EPA Needs and Program Priorities Significant Environmental Benefits (Sustainability) Broad Application and Impact
Air and Climate Draft 2016 Phase I Topics (End of August) Inexpensive Indoor Formaldehyde Sensor Low-Cost Sensor for Fugitive Methane Emissions Manufacturing Greener Manufacturing of Plastics Greener Plastic Materials and Products Toxic Chemicals Cleaner Manufacturing Processes for Dyes, Paints, and Pigments Technologies to Help Consumers Understand the Chemical Composition of Products
Water Draft 2016 Phase I Topics (End of August) (Continued) Non-Reverse Osmosis Desalination Units for Small Communities Non-Toxic Coatings for Water Pipes that Prevent Biofilms, Corrosion, Scaling, and Leaching of Lead Simple Lead Test for Tap Water Water and Homeland Security Water Pipes that Prevent Biofilms, Corrosion, and Scaling Greener Buildings Nontoxic Interior Construction Materials Greener Exterior Construction Materials
Selecting a Topic in the Solicitation It is the responsibility of the company to select the most appropriate topic Your proposal must exactly address the selected topic EPA s budget is modest so the program is very competitive Program staff can provide general advice on your proposed technology
Anticipated EPA SBIR Schedule August 2016 Phase I solicitation opens September 2016 Phase I solicitation closes Contracts Review, Peer Review, Relevancy Review May 2017 Phase I contracts awarded November 2017 - Phase I contracts end November 2017 Phase II solicitation opens December 2017 Phase II proposals due
Other Agencies with SBIR Programs that Support Environmental Technologies National Science Foundation (NSF) Department of Energy (DOE) National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS) U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
We re Now Electronic! All submissions are electronic Must Use FedConnect Please start early to register your company with FedConnect Register at: www.fedconnect.net/fedconnect/
Required Registrations Dun and Bradstreet Universal Numbering System (DUNS) - All registrations require that applicants be issued a DUNS number. After obtaining a DUNS number, applicants can begin both SAM, and SBA Company registry. The same DUNS number must be used for all registrations, as well as on the proposal. SBA Company Registry See solicitation for instructions on how to register and how to attach proof of registration to your proposal package. Applicants must have a DUNS number to complete this registration. SBA Company registration is NOT required before SAM. System for Award Management (SAM) (formerly CCR) Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually. The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration. SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code. FedConnect Electronic applications system for EPA SBIR. FedConnect is a web portal that connects agencies and vendors.
Tips from Contracts Office Register with SBA and include one-page proof of registration Check your budgets for errors Submit your proposal well before the deadline
Tips from Peer Review Division Select the correct Topic Number Use the forms (Appendices) from the solicitation Address the peer review criteria, which are given in the solicitation If you decide not to send in a proposal, let us know if you want to be a peer reviewer in a particular topic
Tips from Program Offices Carefully read the whole solicitation Develop a proposal that Has a strong abstract Quantifies environmental benefits Explains why the innovation will be a game changer Uses EPA, industry, and other standards to measure performance Shows potential for commercialization Addresses market opportunities Compares costs with currently used technologies Shows progress toward establishing commercialization partners, including investors
Take Home Messages Make sure your technology exactly addresses the selected topic There are environmental SBIR opportunities with other agencies Start your registrations early Do not wait until the last minute submit your proposal before the deadline Thank you for helping us save the planet!
Success Story: Ecovative Developed MycoBondTM technology replaces hydrocarbon-derived synthetics in packaging, insulation, and structural cores Utilizes fungal mycelium grown on agricultural waste Biodegradable/Compostable Named Innovator of the Year in the non-fda regulated category of the 2011 Greener Package Awards. Featured on July 2011 cover of Packaging World and May 20, 2013 New Yorker
Success Story: NanoMech Developed TuffTech Chemical-free nanostructured coating that increases cutting tool life by 300 percent R&D Magazine s R&D 100 Award SBA Tibbett s Award in 2014
EPA SBIR For More Information website: www.epa.gov/sbir factsheet: www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-05/documents/sbir_fact_sheet_2016.pdf SBA SBIR website: www.sbir.gov Contacts SBIR Team: April RichardsRichards.april@epa.gov Paul Shapiro Shapiro.paul@epa.gov Patrick Lau lau.patrick@epa.gov EPA SBIR Contract Specialist: Jeff Clodfelter clodfelter.jeffery@epa.gov
Thank you!