"It is the policy of the United States that small business concerns...shall have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in performing contracts let by any Federal agency, including contracts and subcontracts for subsystems, assemblies, components, and related services for major systems." FAR 52.219-8.

"The federal government encourages subcontracting with Small Business Concerns." Public Law 95-507, passed by Congress in 1978.

The SBIR Phase III program offers a number of contracting opportunities unavailable under traditional government contracts. In the Phase III program, the Government and Government personnel oversee, administer, operate, and implement the commercialization phase of innovative work by small businesses doing work with the Department of Defense. In an effort to implement the goals of the SBIR program, the Government offers a number of benefits and incentives to working with SBIR participants.

Because Phase III contracts flow from work that derives from work performed under prior SBIR funding agreements, the contracts are granted without further competition. In addition, there is no limit to the duration or dollar value of Phase III contracts; combined with the lack of a competition requirement, this is a significant benefit of SBIR Phase III contracts.

The Government explicitly encourages contractors to subcontract with Small Businesses, and as a result favors solicitations for projects primarily involving work done by small business concerns (SBC).

If you are interested in partnering with FE Associates on an SBIR Phase III contract, please contact us.

U.S. Navy photo by Electrician's Mate 1st Class William McKibbin