Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - 2018 Phase I

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) hereby announces the release of the 2018 Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) - Phase I.

The Department invites qualified small business firms to submit a Phase I proposal under this program solicitation.

This solicitation is for proposals to develop:

1.  Education technology products used by students or teachers (or other instructional personnel) in authentic education settings, or;

2.  Education technology products for use by infants, toddlers, or students with or at risk for disabilities, or teachers (or other instructional personnel, related services providers, or family members) in Early Intervention or Special Education settings, or:

3.  Education technology products for use by school administrators in authentic education settings, or in Early Intervention or Special education Settings.

Firms with strong research or research and development (R/R&D) capabilities in education technology in the priority areas listed in the Request for Proposals (RFP) are encouraged to participate. Consultative or other arrangements between such firms and universities or other non-profit organizations are permitted, but the small business must serve as the contractor. Included are instructions for offerors to prepare contract proposals, a description of the proposal review process, and some conditions of a contract award. Contract proposals will be accepted only if they respond specifically to a research priority within this solicitation.

This request for proposals (RFP) is a total small business set-aside. The contract type is Firm-Fixed-Price. Phase I awards are for performance periods up to eight months in amounts up to $200,000.

The U.S. Department of Education (Department) anticipates the release of the 2018 Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase I solicitation on or about December 7, 2017.

The purpose of the SBIR program is to stimulate technological innovation in the private sector, strengthen the role of small business in meeting Department research and development needs, increase the commercial potential of Department-supported research results, and improve the return on investment from Federally-funded research for economic and social benefits to the Nation.

Phase I is to determine, insofar as possible, the scientific or technical merit of ideas submitted under the SBIR program. The proposal should concentrate on Research/Research & Development (R/R&D) that will establish the feasibility of the technological approach, a prerequisite for further Department support in Phase II. Awards are for periods up to 8-months in amounts up to $200,000.

Firms with strong R/R&D capabilities in education technology in the priority areas listed are encouraged to participate. The 2018 priority areas consist of either:

1. R/R&D of education technology products used by students or teachers (or other instructional personnel) in authentic education settings; or
2. R/R&D of education technology products for use by infants, toddlers, or students with or at risk for disabilities, or teachers (or other instructional personnel, related services providers, or family members) in authentic early intervention or special education settings; or
3. R/R&D of education technology products for use by school administrators in authentic education settings or in early intervention or special education settings.

Products must fall in one of these three priority areas (not all).

This notice is not a request for proposals.