Small Business Innovative Research
The Small Business Innovation Program (SBIP) explores innovative concepts pursuant to Public Law 106-554 (Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000) and Public Law 107-50 (Small Business Technology Transfer Program Reauthorization Act of 2001), which mandates a two-phase competition for small businesses with innovative technologies with a defense application as well as a commercial value. The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs will develop new dual-use technologies for possible future DLA operational and sustainment requirements. DLA strives to make it fast and easy for customers to work with our Agency by quickly understanding current requirements and anticipating their future needs. In support of the major subordinate commands and military Services, Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) helps to ensure readiness and lethality across the end-to-end supply chain by optimizing retail and industrial support, which ultimately reduces risk and increases efficiency, and positions solutions for Warfighter requirements. Dual-use means the technologies will be judged on their potential for future private sector investment both as a vehicle for reducing development time and cost, unit costs of new DLA technologies, and as a route to national economic growth through new commercial products. DLA will conduct the competition as well as award and manage the contracts. The DLA's SBIR/STTR investments are divided into multiple Research Areas that are aligned with the National Defense Strategy and the DLA Strategic Plan. DLA R&D SBIP Strategic Focus Areas Hypersonic Vehicles: To meet increasing demand for hypersonic vehicle production, SBIP addresses the key bottleneck in the supply chain by producing innovations in thermal protection systems (TPS). Driving down lead times and production costs are critical to meeting hypersonic vehicle production capacity requirements in the near future. -Domestic Critical Mineral Production: To buffer US supply chains from disruption due to raw material availability, SBIP fosters innovation in domestic separation and refining capabilities to produce rare earth and other critical minerals at costs that are competitive in global markets.
FY2027 planned work DLA FY2027 SBIR/STTR Plans: -Transition successful Ph I SBIR projects focused on domestic sourcing and recycling of Ga to Ph II. -Accelerate the development of novel technologies to reduce lead times and production costs for thermal protection systems crucial to hypersonic platforms. -Bring B4C recovery to LRIP status and transition to PEO Soldier for long-term sustainment. -Expand portfolio into Critical Technology Area Scaled Directed Energy to complement on-going Scaled Hypersonics efforts. -Expand critical mineral work based on strategic alignment within DOD and across USG. Target elements based on projected need and likelihood of sustainable transition opportunities. -Focus Weapon…
FY2026 to FY2027 change SBIR and STTR tax amounts are based on enacted budgets.
FY2026 plans — current year DLA FY2026 SBIR/STTR Plans: -Transition successful Ph I SBIR projects focused on domestic sourcing and/or recycling of Ga and Sc to Ph II. -Accelerate the development of novel technologies to reduce lead times and production costs for thermal protection systems crucial to hypersonic platforms. -Finalize KNO3 pilot production line, achieve LRIP, and deliver product to defense customers. DPA Title III funding will scale the pilot line from LRIP to full scale production. -Recover B4C from ~100,000 ESAPI plates to establish the only domestic source of this critical material. Supply B4C to NDS. Manufacture B4C test articles and subject to small arms ballistics testing at Aberdeen Proving Ground…