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Michael Braukus
Headquarters, Washington         January 28, 2003
(Phone: 202/358-1979)

RELEASE: 03-023

NASA SELECTS NINE INNOVATIVE SMALL BUSINESS PROJECTS

     NASA has selected nine research proposals for negotiation of 
Phase 2 contract awards for the 2001 Small Business Technology 
Transfer (STTR) Program. 

Phase 2 continues development of the most promising previously 
selected Phase 1 projects. Selection criteria include scientific and 
technical merit, company capabilities, commercial potential, future 
importance and eventual value of the innovation to NASA. Funding for 
Phase 2 contracts may be up to $500,000 for a two-year performance 
period.

Contractors completing Phase 1 projects submitted a total of 18 Phase 
2 proposals. All proposals were peer reviewed for both technical merit 
and commercial potential. The combined award total for the nine Phase 
2 contracts is expected to be $4.5 million.

The STTR Program is designed to stimulate technological innovation; 
help small businesses become better qualified to assist NASA in its 
research and development; and increase private commercialization of 
federally funded research. The program also requires small businesses 
to conduct cooperative research and development by partnering with a 
research institution.

The goals of the STTR program are to stimulate technological 
innovation; increase the use of small business, including women-owned 
and disadvantaged firms, to meet federal research and development 
needs; and to increase private sector commercialization of federally 
funded research results. Two of the nine companies announced today are 
disadvantaged firms.

The STTR Program Management Office is located at NASA's Goddard Space 
Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md. NASA's Office of Aerospace Technology, 
Washington provides executive oversight. Individual STTR projects are 
managed by the 10 NASA field centers.

A listing of the selected companies is on the Internet at: 

http://sbir.nasa.gov

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