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U.S. Department of Transportation Names Small Business Innovation Research Program Award Recipients

Monday, July 22, 2019

Dozens of U.S. small businesses will receive $11.9 million to address our nation’s transportation challenges.

Washington — The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) today awarded 26 U.S. small businesses a total of $11,850,000 as part of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Each year, the SBIR Program solicits proposals from American small businesses to improve various aspects of the national transportation system. SBIR-awarded contracts to qualifying small businesses spur research and commercialization of innovative transportation technologies to address USDOT priorities. A full list of this year’s awardees is available here

From coast to coast, small businesses from 14 states and Washington, D.C. were awarded contracts in research areas that align with USDOT research priorities. The USDOT Volpe Center in Cambridge, MA administers the congressionally-mandated SBIR Program on behalf of the Office of the Secretary of Transportation.

“These investments in America’s small businesses help bring innovative transportation technologies to market that will potentially improve the transportation infrastructure for our country,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao.

The SBIR Program encourages domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development (R/R&D) that has the potential for commercialization. The program awards contracts in several phases.

Phase I of the program establishes technical merit, feasibility, and commercial potential. USDOT awarded  $1,950,000 in Phase I contracts to 13 small business.

Phase II of the program further develops technologies proven in Phase I. USDOT awarded  $9,900,000 in Phase II contracts to 13 other small businesses.

The USDOT SBIR program is currently working to award Phase IIB contracts, which further support small businesses working to commercialize technologies developed in Phase II.

For more information visit the DOT SBIR Program’s website.