Department of the navy (don) 6. Small Business Innovation Research (sbir) Proposal Submission Instructions introduction

DISCRETIONARY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (DTA)
The SBIR Policy Directive section 9(b), allows the DON to provide DTA to its awardees to assist in minimizing the technical risks associated with SBIR projects and commercializing products and processes. Firms may request, in their Phase I and Phase II proposals, to contract these services themselves in an amount not to exceed $5,000 per year. This amount is in addition to the award amount for the Phase I or Phase II project.
Phase I awardees that propose more than $150,000 in total funding (Base, Option, and DTA) may not receive a purchase order. Purchase orders are a type of Simplified Acquisition Procedure (SAP) intended to reduce administrative costs, promote efficiency and economy in contracting, and avoid unnecessary burdens for agencies and contractors. The need to issue a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract may result in contract delays if the SYSCOM normally issues purchase orders for Phase I awards.
Approval of direct funding for DTA will be evaluated for approval by the DON SBIR office if the firm’s proposal (1) clearly identifies the need for assistance (purpose and objective of required assistance), (2) provides details on the provider of the assistance (name and point of contact for performer); and unique skills/specific experience to carry out the assistance proposed, and (3) the cost of the required assistance (costs and hours proposed or other details on arrangement that would justify the proposed expense). This information must be included in the firm’s cost proposal specifically identified as “Discretionary Technical Assistance” and cannot be subject to any profit or fee by the requesting SBIR firm. In addition, the provider of the DTA may not be the requesting firm, an affiliate of the requesting firm, an investor of the requesting firm, or a subcontractor or consultant of the requesting firm otherwise required as part of the paid portion of the research effort (e.g. research partner, consultant, tester, or administrative service provider). Failure to include the required information in the proposal will result in the request for DTA being disapproved. If the proposal costs exceed the limits identified for Phase I ($150,000 for the Base plus Option), DTA must be identified and explained in the proposal or the proposal will be REJECTED without evaluation.
If a firm requests and is awarded DTA in a Phase II proposal, it will be eliminated from participating in the DON SBIR/STTR Transition Program (STP), the DON Forum for SBIR/STTR Transition (FST), and any other assistance the DON provides directly to awardees.
All Phase II awardees not receiving funds for DTA in their award must attend a one-day DON STP meeting during the second year of the Phase II. This meeting is typically held in the summer in the Washington, DC area. Information can be obtained at: http://www.navysbir.com/Transition.htm. Awardees will be contacted separately regarding this program. It is recommended that Phase II cost estimates include travel to Washington, DC for this event.