Know someone with a research topic they're trying to pitch or maybe you have one yourself?
The U.S. Department of Transportation just might want to hear it.
Earlier this week, DOT announced Phase I solicitation of its Small Business Innovation Research program for fiscal 2022 to award contracts to small businesses across the nation. The program is intended to prompt research and commercialization in a wide area of innovative transportation technologies, including artificial intelligence, material safety, intelligent road systems, climate change and equity.
DOT has a complete list of research topics on its website, and a list of activities for DOT's third annual Pitch Day, when selected small business representative may give their 15-minute virtual proposal to DOT staff.
"Pitch Day is an excellent opportunity for small businesses to bring their unique ideas and processes directly to DOT, and for DOT to ask questions about new methods and expected outcomes," Deputy Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology Dr. Robert Hampshire said in DOT's announcement. "I look forward to welcoming this year’s participants."
The Small Business Innovation Research program is intended to incentivize U.S.-based small businesses to pursue federal research and research and development with commercialization potential. The incentive part is contract opportunities in two key phases with the possibility for a third phase in the lead-up to commercialization.
The program announcement follows DOT's innovation principles announced in January that outlines six purpose-driven principles to foster innovation that promotes the Biden administration's policy priorities. Available funding is intended to encourage "public private partnerships that share risk, foster purpose-driven innovation and protect the interests of the public, workers, and communities," DOT's announcement said.
Past years' awardees include Optowares, Inc. in Woburn, Mass., for a device that assesses the environmental impact of post-consumer waste plastic, and RS Solutions in Scottsdale, Ariz., for its physical intervention system for wrong-way drivers on ramps.
This year's Small Business Innovation Research program applications are due by March 7 at 3 p.m. eastern time.
For more information, visit the Small Business Innovation Research website.
