Technical and Business Assistance

Dawnbreaker

Please review this information carefully as the recent legislation reauthorizing SBIR/STTR Programs has expanded the types of allowable TABA services.

The Department of Energy (DOE) is dedicated to the successful commercialization of SBIR/STTR-funded technologies. In pursuit of this goal, the DOE SBIR/STTR Office provides commercialization services to its awardees. The DOE funds discretionary Technical and Business Assistance Services (TABA) to all DOE SBIR and STTR Phase I and Phase II awardees.

Recipients of awards under the SBIR program or the STTR program are authorized to select, if desired, technical and business assistance with respect to SBIR or STTR projects, such as access to a network of scientists and engineers engaged in a wide range of technologies, assistance with product sales, intellectual property protections, cybersecurity assistance, market research, market validation, and development of regulatory plans and manufacturing plans, or access to technical and business literature available through on-line data bases, for the purpose of assisting such recipients in-

  1. making better technical decisions concerning such projects;
  2. solving technical problems which arise during the conduct of such projects;
  3. minimizing technical risks associated with such projects;
  4. developing and commercializing new commercial products and processes resulting from such projects, including intellectual property protections; and
  5. screening for potential foreign involvement in technology development or commercialization activities.

A small business concern may, by contract or otherwise, select 1 or more vendors to assist the small business concern in meeting the goals listed above.

Additionally, a small business concern may, by contract or otherwise, use funding provided under this section to hire new staff, augment staff, or direct staff to conduct or participate in training activities consistent with the goals listed in paragraph.

TABA services must be performed during the project’s period of performance. Reimbursement is limited to services received that comply with 15 U.S.C. § 638(q).

Phase I

Applicants/awardees may include up to $6,500 in the Phase I budget for TABA services.

Phase II

Applicants/awardees may include up to $50,000 in the Phase II budget for TABA services.