MDA Dedicated to Small Business Success

Written by Jennifer Devlin

MSMF 2009 Volume: 2 Issue: 5 (October)

Rosenberg highlighted the fact that with a large small-business base, MDA has a wider range of choices, bringing forth better price, quality and increased competition between companies applying for the partnerships. He described their program as the fourth largest small business innovative research program in the Department of Defense.

Rosenberg acknowledged that Lieutenant General Patrick O’Reilly, director, MDA, understands the importance of small business support, and intentionally emphasizes the utilization of small business in the MDA mission. Small business benefits from this commitment through the implementation of strategic programs specifically designed to help small company players thrive in the MDA environment.

MDA SBIR and STTR

MDA has implemented a number of programs and initiatives to ensure the incorporation and success of small businesses in the agency’s mission. The two main programs are the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR). Both programs are a part of MDA’s participation in a department-issued solicitation, where small companies of 500 or fewer employees apply for contract awards on specific concepts. Additionally, to qualify for SBIR, the small business must be operated in the U.S. and must be at least 51 percent owned by a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien.

According to the MDA, “the statutory purpose of the SBIR program is to strengthen the role of innovative small business concerns in federally funded research or research and development (R/R&D).” In reaching program goals, the MDA helps small businesses thrive, and also increases competition, productivity and economic growth through an increase in private sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal research and development.

The STTR also allows for a research institution to become involved, as that particular initiative is designed to expand the partnership of the public and private sectors to include the joint venture opportunities for small business and non-profit research institutions. The non-profit research institutions may be any U.S.-based non-profit research institution, federally funded research and development center, or university or college. The MDA realizes that the “STTR’s most important role is to foster the innovation necessary to meet the nation’s scientific and technological challenges in the 21st century.”

The Commitment

In fiscal year 2006, $1.164 billion went to the DoD’s SBIR program funding, part of a larger $2.3 billion across 10 federal agencies nationwide. Inside the MDA, the STTR program receives 0.3 percent of MDA’s extramural R&D budget, in comparison to the 2.5 percent of the SBIR program. While the budget commitment may seem small, MDA’s investment in small business partnerships goes much deeper. Rosenberg explained that within his program and the MDA, “a significant amount of support comes from small business partners. Over 38 percent of the money we spend ends up in the hands of small business.”

According to the MDA, their goal with the SBIR/STTR programs is to “realize a return on investment by acquiring technology that can be transitioned into the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS); MDA currently focuses the efforts of the program around the needs of the BMDS.” Rosenberg said that this year’s solicitation for ideas will include over 40 topics running a wide gamut of technologies used in the BMD mission, providing ample opportunity for small businesses to field new ideas.

The Process

With full competition and a three-phase process, small business applicants need to have mission-ready, tested ideas. From the six month first phase, where $100,000 is awarded to test the scientific, technical and commercial merit of the concept, to phase two’s $750,000 for further testing and reaching the prototype stage, the small business leader must make a commitment to excellence. Applicants in the SBIR program are allowed to subcontract some of the work, but the small business “prime” must perform at least two-thirds of the first phase, and half of the second phase work.

Once phase three begins, the company is expected to obtain private-sector or non-SBIR funding in order to take the concept from development to production. The product is not only limited for sale in military markets; many times there is a cross-over market where the small business concept becomes a product used in private-sector and military environments.

Small Business Success Story

Paul A. Gierow, principal engineer of GATR Technologies, provided a textbook success story for the MDA Small Business Program. As an applicant of the SBIR/STTP programs, Gierow took his idea for a portable, inflatable SATCOM antenna system to the MDA for review, followed the requirements, and was ultimately awarded the opportunity to produce his GATR satellite technology in partnership with the MDA.

Not limited to the missile community, Gierow’s invention has also been utilized in the critical hours of the Katrina aftermath, proving the versatility of his idea. On the other side of testing, GATR Technologies has grown from a one- to two-man company with a prototype, to a company with more than 15 employees in its Huntsville, Ala.-based office, producing a large number of satellite systems.

Taking the Next Step: Information for Prospective Partnerships

For more information about the SBIR/STTR programs, visit the MDA SBIR/STTR homepage at http://www.mdasbir.com. Solicitation and submission instructions are available at http://www.dodsbir.net.

MDA’s Office of Small Business Programs has set up an outreach program and advocacy office to “offer marketplace knowledge that can provide insight into solutions to mission requirements early in the market research process and throughout the acquisition cycle.” They have provided the following “Checklist for Doing Business with MDA”:

1. Meet with your local Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).
   
2. Identify your product or service.
   
3. Confirm your small business size standards.
   
4. Determine if your business qualifies for the following certifications: a. Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) b. Small Business 8(a) c. Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) (Self Certify)
   
5. Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number.
   
6. Register in the Central Contractor Registration.
   
7. Register in Online Representations and Certifications Application (ORCA).
   
8. Become familiar with government contracting procedures.
   
9. Become familiar with MDA and how your establishment can help the agency accomplish its mission: http://www.mda.mil
   
10. Create a profile in the MDA Small Business Directory and MiDAESS Marketplace: http://www.mdasmallbusiness.com
    
11. Search for current and prospective MDA procurement opportunities: http://www.mda.mil/barbb/barbb.htm and http://www. fedbizopps.gov
    
12. Investigate GSA Schedule Program.
    
13. Explore subcontracting and joint venture/teaming opportunities. Make an appointment to speak with the director of MDA Office of Small Business Programs—your first and most important step for doing business with MDA. Call (256) 955-4828 for an appointment.
     

Working Together in the Missile Community

Small business initiatives are alive and flourishing beyond the walls of the MDA. Across the nation, various organizations are incorporating small business partnerships. This governmentwide incorporation will be the focus of the 2009 National SBIR Conference, to be held in Reno, Nev., November 2-5, 2009, and will include a wide variety of SBIR federal agencies and departments. ♦

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