NOAA's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase 1 2014

The government is posting Question and Answers #2 in response to all the questions received.  No additional question and answer shall be issued.  Be sure to sign the SF30 forms for both Amendment 0001 and 0002 (1 copy) and send them in with your proposal. 

The purpose of this change is to advise that the government has issued the attached amendment to this sollicitation. The Amendment provides responses to a majority of questions received from different vendors.  It also advises that any other additional questions must be received by January 3, 2014 at 1:00 PM Central.  No additional questions will be entertained after that date and time.  No extension to the due date for proposals are provided.

Due to the government shutdown in October, we were delayed in posting of this year's SBIR Program solicitation.  As indicated in the attached solicitation, proposals are due no later than January 29, 2014 at 4:00 PM CST. 

The U. S. Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to seek proposals from small business firms for participation in Phase I of the Fiscal Year 2014 NOAA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Phase I of the SBIR program implements the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2011, contained in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (P.L. 112-81), which reauthorizes the SBIR/STTR programs for six years. Small businesses are invited to submit research proposals in response to the Request for Proposals.

The purpose of Phase I of the SBIR program is for firms to conduct research and development which will allow the Government to determine the scientific or technical merit and feasibility of concepts, ideas and quality of performance as a prerequisite for further Government support which may follow in Phase II of the program. Any organization or individuals receiving awards under Phase I are be eligible to compete for a Phase II award. The following are the NOAA Research and Development (R&D) topics available for Phase I: Weather-Ready Nation, Climate Adaptation and Mitigation, Healthy Oceans, Resilient Coastal Communities and Economies.

The SBIR solicitation will be issued on or about October 16, 2013. The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541712. The SBIR solicitation will be available at the Federal Business Opportunities website www.fbo.gov. Please do not submit questions at this time. After release of the solicitation, it will be the offeror's responsibility to monitor this site for any amendments to the solicitation. The Government anticipates making multiple Phase I awards, each with a period of performance of six (6) months and a ceiling price not to exceed $95,000.00.

The Eastern Acquisition Division (EAD) requires that all contractors doing business with this Acquisition Office must be registered within the SAM.gov website (formerly the Central Contractor Registration [CCR] database). No award can be made unless the vender is registered in SAM.gov. For additional information and to register in SAM, please access the following web site https://www.sam/gov and select the Help Tab. In order to register in SAM and to be eligible to receive an award from this acquisition office, all offerors must have a Dun & Bradstreet Number. A Dun & Bradstreet number may be acquired free of charge by contacting Dun & Bradstreet on-line at http://fedgov.dnb.com/webform. A possible source of information for small businesses to use in helping to navigate these systems and learn more about contracting with the government is the Association of Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC). In 1985, Congress authorized the Procurement Technical Assistance Program in an effort to help expand the number of businesses capable of participating in the Government Marketplace. The program helps provide matching funds with state and local governments and non-profit organizations to establish these Procurement Technical Assistance Services to provide procurement assistance. They usually provide these services either at low cost or free of charge. You can find your local service center at http://www.aptac-us.org/new/Govt_Contracting/find.php to find out more information.

General SBIR - related inquiries may be directed to the NOAA SBIR Program at (301) 713-3565, or NOAA.SBIR@noaa.gov. Additional questions should be directed to Joan Clarkston, Contract Specialist at (816) 426-7469, fax at (757)664-3623, or email joan.e.clarkston@noaa.gov. When contacting individuals regarding this announcement, please reference in the title Solicitation Number NOAA 2014-1.