Stimulating Innovation and the U.S. Economy through the U.S. DOT’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program The National Transportation Systems Center Advancing transportation innovation for the public good May 24, 2016 A Presentation for the National SBIR Conference U.S. Department of Transportation Office of the Secretary of Transportation John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center

How SBIR Supports the Mission of DOT The mission of the DOT is to ensure a fast, safe, efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system that meets vital national interests and enhances the quality of life of the American people SBIR addresses high priority research gaps within DOT’s R&D Program SBIR topics are developed to align with Secretary’s strategic priorities, specific modal priorities, and SBA

Administering the DOT’s SBIR Program  Secretary of Transportation chose the Volpe Center to direct the Department's SBIR Program in November 1982  SBIR Program Office, located at the Volpe Center, directs all activities required under the SBIR law and executes the policy established by the Small Business Administration  Coordinates with eight DOT Operating Administrations  Integrates SBIR in DOT’s R&D Program through DOT’s RD&T Council

Snapshot of Phase I Participation in DOT’s SBIR Program by Agency DOT Operating Administration Federal Aviation Administration*X Federal Highway Administration/ITS-Joint Program OfficeXXXX Federal Railroad AdministrationXXX Federal Transit AdministrationXXXX Federal Motor Carrier Safety AdministrationX National Highway Traffic Safety AdministrationXX Office of the SecretaryXX Pipeline and Hazardous Material Safety AdministrationXX *Excused by Legislation: FAA contributed to the U.S. DOT’s SBIR Program from 1985 to 2005

 Budget - Annual SBIR budget ~$9M  Topics SBIR Topics per year  Award Funding Limits Vary by Topic-  Phase I- Up to $150K  Phase II- $350K to $1M  Phase IIB- $350K to $1M  Number of Awards per year Funding  Phase I- based on Solicitation Topics  Phase II % of Phase Is  Phase IIB- ~25% of Phase IIs DOT’s SBIR Program Details

 Solicitations  1 solicitation per year  Next Solicitation expected Fall 2016  Sign up for our list for notification of Open and Close dates  Administers Contracts not Grants  Majority VC firms not eligible DOT’s SBIR Program Details

DOT’s SBIR Topics

Examples of Past Topics Management System Display to Track Emergency Response Vehicles and Mutual Aid during a crash (FAA) Active Personal Safety System for Train Yard and Road Crewworkers (FRA) Driver Fatigue and Distraction Monitoring and Warning System (FMCSA) Driver Engagement/Status Monitoring Technologies for Vehicle Automation Applications (FHWA) Innovative Transit Technology Devices, Applications, or Solutions Focused on Safety, Mobility, or Energy and Sustainability (FTA) Community College – Technical School Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Curricula (FHWA) Wireless Compatible Digital Train Line (WiDTL) for Passenger Type Vehicles in a Train Consist (FRA) Improving the Ventilation of Motorcycle Helmets (NHTSA) Using alternative energy to reduce greenhouse gas production in the transportation sector (OST- R) New non-destructive evaluation methods to quantify remaining strength of line pipe steel and or pipeline fittings (PHMSA)

Upcoming Solicitation Schedule ActionTentative Start Date Tentative End Date Solicitation Open and Close Dates OctoberDecember Evaluation Period Initiation and Completion Late DecemberEarly February Announce Award Recommendations NLT 90 days from Solicitation Close Award ContractsNLT 180 days from Solicitation Close Visit to sign-upwww.volpe.dot.gov/sbir to receive alerts on new solicitations

DOT Solicitation Process  Solicitations are posted at and  Requests for clarifications/questions on research topics can be submitted to the Program Office staff  Submission of proposals via secured website is a requirement  Program Office does not accept unsolicited proposals

DOT SBIR Recent Updates  New Commercialization Assistance Program available to U.S. DOT SBIR awardees beginning in the 15.1 Solicitation o Focus on increasing commercialization potential for the Phase I award and preparing for entry into the marketplace for Phase II  Pre-proposal conference calls for Phase II  Improved cost appendices  Funding for CORs to travel to project sites

DOT SBIR Success Story: Solar Roadways  Federal Highway Administration selected Solar Roadways for Phase I award in 2009 and a subsequent Phase II in Invited to submit a Phase II B proposal for further funding.  Using SBIR funds, Solar Roadways developed solar panels for use in place of pavement on parking lots, roads and highways. Their goal is “ To cover all concrete and asphalt surfaces that are exposed to the sun with Solar Road Panels. This will lead to the end of our dependency on fossil fuels of any kind”  Have received more than $2 Million in crowdfunding as a result of the prototype they developed through the SBIR program.  Honored at the First Annual White House Makers Faire and was mention in President’s 2015 State of the Union Address

Read about our Successes in the DOT Fast Lane Blog DATEOATITLE OR TOPIC October 2015 FHWASmall Business Innovation Research program makes crossing the street safer December 2015 FHWANew Pavement System... Supported by Solar Panels? February 2016 PHMSASBIR-Funded Sensors Detect Pipeline Stresses Early, Mitigating Future Problems Coming soonFAAIncorporating Spatial Disorientation in Flight Simulator Training Coming soonFHWAReducing the Spread of Invasive Species During Transportation and Construction Projects

Opportunities Outside of DOT SBIR Program  DOT/Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization –  Fed Biz Ops –  University Transportation Center Program –  Transportation Research Board –  Challenge.gov  Check DOT agency websites for BAAs, RFIs and other research opportunities

U.S. DOT SBIR Contact Information Melissa Wong SBIR Program Manager Innovative Research Program Office DOT SBIR Hotline