A -- Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA) Notice Concerning Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Proposals

The Homeland Security Advanced Research Projects Agency (HSARPA), the external funding arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate will soon issue a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Solicitation pursuant to the authority contained in 15 U.S.C. 638(j) - Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-564), previously the Small Business Innovation Development Act of 1982 - P.L. 97-219 and P.L. 99-443. The solicitation will be issued on or about 14 November 2003.____ Details may be obtained from the announcement that will appear on the FedBizOpps website: http://www.fedbizopps.gov on or about 14 November 2003. The purpose of this solicitation is to invite small businesses to submit innovative research proposals that address high priority requirements of the DHS.____Participation in the HSARPA SBIR Program is restricted to small business concerns in the United States organized for profit with 500 or fewer employees, including all affiliated firms. The solicitation will be issued through electronic means only; no hard copies will be available. The solicitation will list all the R&D topics under which HSARPA is seeking proposals. Small firms apply first for a six-month Phase I award of $60,000 to $100,000 to test the scientific, technical, and commercial merit of a particular concept. Proposals are limited to 25 pages in length. If Phase I proves successful, the firm may be invited to apply for a two-year Phase II award of $500,000 to $750,000 to further develop the concept, usually to the prototype stage.