S. 1573

119 S1573 IS: SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025
 U.S. Senate
 2025-05-01
 text/xml
 EN
 Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.
 II  119th CONGRESS  1st Session  S. 1573  IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES   May 1, 2025   Mr. Markey  introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship    A BILL
To amend the Small Business Act to reauthorize and modify the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Research programs, and for other purposes.
1.
Short title
This Act may be cited as the   SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025  .
2.
Table of contents
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
TITLE I—Reauthorization of programs
Sec. 101. Extension of SBIR and STTR authority.
Sec. 102. Extension of FAST Program.
TITLE II—Enhancing competition
Sec. 201. Increasing agency expenditures for SBIR and STTR programs.
Sec. 202. SBIR and STTR fellowships.
Sec. 203. Application assistance to broaden participation.
Sec. 204. Technical and business assistance improvements.
Sec. 205. Improvements to website relating to the SBIR program and STTR program.
TITLE III—Commercialization Improvements
Sec. 301. Phase III award education.
Sec. 302. Report on certain denials of Phase III.
Sec. 303. Technology Commercialization Official.
Sec. 304. Phase III improvements.
TITLE IV—Pilot Programs
Sec. 401. Extend and modify assistance for administrative, oversight, and contract processing costs.
Sec. 402. Extend and expand the direct to Phase II authority.
Sec. 403. Extend commercialization readiness program for civilian agencies.
Sec. 404. Extension of certain SBIR and STTR pilot programs.
Sec. 405. Extension of due diligence program to assess security risks.
TITLE V—Oversight and simplification initiatives
Sec. 501. Annual reports to Congress.
Sec. 502. Comptroller general report on diversification and commercialization.
Sec. 503. Extend the report on award timeliness.
Sec. 504. Pilot program to accelerate National Institutes of Health valuation process.
Sec. 505. Codifying safeguards for small business concerns majority-owned by venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms.
Sec. 506. Commercialization impact assessment.
TITLE VI—Technical changes
Sec. 601. Inclusion of SBICs in the SBIR and STTR programs.
Sec. 602. Phase III and sole-source awards.
I
Reauthorization of programs
101.
Extension of SBIR and STTR authority
(a)
S
BIR
Section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ) is amended by striking subsection (m).
(b)
S
TTR
Section 9(n)(1)(A) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(n)(1)(A) ) is amended by striking  through fiscal year 2025 .
102.
Extension of FAST Program
Section 34(i) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 657d(i) ) is amended by striking  September 30, 2005  and inserting  September 30, 2030 .
II
Enhancing competition
201.
Increasing agency expenditures for SBIR and STTR programs
Section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (f)(1)—
(A)
in subparagraph (H), by striking  and ;
(B)
in subparagraph (I), by striking  fiscal year 2017 and each fiscal year thereafter,  and inserting  each of fiscal years 2017 through 2025; ; and
(C)
by inserting after subparagraph (I) the following:
(J)
not less than 4 percent of such budget in fiscal years 2026 and 2027;
(K)
not less than 5 percent of such budget in fiscal years 2028 and 2029;
(L)
not less than 6 percent of such budget in fiscal years 2030 and 2031; and
(M)
not less than 7 percent of such budget in fiscal year 2032 and each fiscal year thereafter,
 ; and
(2)
in subsection (n)(1)—
(A)
in subparagraph (A), by striking  through fiscal year 2025 ; and
(B)
in subparagraph (B)—
(i)
in clause (iv), by striking  ; and  and inserting a semicolon;
(ii)
in clause (v), by striking  fiscal year 2016 and each fiscal year thereafter.  and inserting  each of fiscal years 2016 through 2025; ; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following:
(vi)
0.5 percent for fiscal year 2026 and 2027;
(vii)
0.65 percent for fiscal year 2028 and 2029;
(viii)
0.8 percent for fiscal year 2030 and 2031; and
(ix)
1 percent for fiscal year 2032 and each fiscal year thereafter.
 .
202.
SBIR and STTR fellowships
Section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following:
(5)
Fellowships
(A)
In general
A Federal agency may provide grants or awards, either directly or in partnership with a third party, to small business concerns that have received SBIR or STTR Phase II awards to provide fellowship and internship opportunities at the undergraduate, baccalaureate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels in fields that are important to the Federal agency.
(B)
Enhanced outreach
Each Federal agency that makes an award or enters into a partnership under subparagraph (A) shall provide for enhanced outreach to increase the participation of women, socially disadvantaged individuals (as described in section 8(a)(5)), and economically disadvantaged individuals (as described in section 8(a)(6)(A)) in the fellowship and internship opportunities described in subparagraph (A).
(C)
Support organization
Each Federal agency that makes an award or enters into a partnership under subparagraph (A) may partner with or provide grants or awards to a third-party organization to support and facilitate the enhanced outreach under subparagraph (B), provided that the third-party organization is a nonprofit organization with relevant experience and demonstrated expertise in delivery of services described in subparagraph (B).
(D)
Funding
In carrying out this paragraph, a Federal agency may use only the following amounts:
(i)
With respect to a Federal agency that uses the authority under subsection (mm), the funds authorized under such subsection.
(ii)
With respect a Federal agency other than a Federal agency described in clause (i), not more than 3 percent of the funds required to be expended under paragraph (1).
 ; and
(2)
in subsection (n), by adding at the end the following:
(4)
Fellowships
(A)
In general
A Federal agency may provide grants or awards, either directly or in partnership with a third party, to small business concerns that have received SBIR or STTR Phase II awards to provide fellowship and internship opportunities at the undergraduate, baccalaureate, graduate, and postdoctoral levels in fields that are important to the Federal agency.
(B)
Enhanced outreach
Each Federal agency that makes an award or enters into a partnership under subparagraph (A) shall provide for enhanced outreach to increase the participation of women, socially disadvantaged individuals (as described in section 8(a)(5)), and economically disadvantaged individuals (as described in section 8(a)(6)(A)) in the fellowship and internship opportunities described in subparagraph (A).
(C)
Support organization
Each Federal agency that makes an award or enters into a partnership under subparagraph (A) may partner with or provide grants or awards to a third-party organization to support and facilitate the enhanced outreach under subparagraph (B), provided that the third-party organization is a nonprofit organization with relevant experience and demonstrated expertise in delivery of services described in subparagraph (B).
(D)
Funding
In carrying out this paragraph, a Federal agency may use only the following amounts:
(i)
With respect to a Federal agency that uses the authority under subsection (mm), the funds authorized under such subsection.
(ii)
With respect a Federal agency other than a Federal agency described in clause (i), not more than 3 percent of the funds required to be expended under paragraph (1).
 .
203.
Application assistance to broaden participation
(a)
In general
Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1) ) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (J), by striking  and  at the end;
(2)
in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; and ; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(L)
providing small business concerns with assistance applying to the SBIR program or STTR program of the Federal agency, including providing such assistance to carry out the policy directives required under paragraphs (2)(F) and (5) of subsection (j) and subsection (p)(2)(H) to increase the participation of States with respect to which a low level of SBIR or STTR awards have historically been awarded.
 .
(b)
Enhanced minority institution participation
(1)
SBIR
Section 9(j) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(j) ), is amended by adding at the end the following:
(5)
Increased outreach requirements
Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Administration shall modify the policy directives issued pursuant to this subsection to require enhanced outreach efforts to increase the participation of individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067k )) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 502(a) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a) )) in SBIR programs.
 .
(2)
STTR
Section 9(p)(2) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(p)(2) ) is amended—
(A)
in subparagraph (F), by striking  and  at the end;
(B)
in subparagraph (G)(iii), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; and ; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(H)
procedures for outreach efforts to increase the participation of individuals conducting research at minority institutions (as defined in section 365 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1067k )) and Hispanic-serving institutions (as defined in section 16 502(a) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1101a(a) )) in STTR programs.
 .
204.
Technical and business assistance improvements
Section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(q) ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (q)—
(A)
in paragraph (1), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)—
(i)
by striking  may enter into an agreement with 1 or more vendors selected under paragraph (2)(A) to provide small business concerns engaged in SBIR or STTR projects with technical and business assistance services  and inserting  shall authorize recipients of awards under the SBIR program or the STTR program to select, if desired, technical and business assistance provided under subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) of paragraph (2) with respect to SBIR or STTR projects ;
(ii)
by inserting  cybersecurity assistance,  after  intellectual property protections, ; and
(iii)
by striking  such concerns  and inserting  such recipients ; and
(B)
in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following:
(C)
Staff
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 (1).
 ;
(C)
in paragraph (3)—
(i)
by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:
(A)
Phase I
A Federal agency described in paragraph (1) shall authorize a recipient of a Phase I SBIR or STTR award to use not more than $6,500 per project, included as part of the award of the recipient or in addition to the amount of the award of the recipient as determined appropriate by the head of the Federal agency, for the services described in paragraph (1)—
(i)
provided through a vendor selected under paragraph (2)(A);
(ii)
provided through a vendor other than a vendor selected under paragraph (2)(A);
(iii)
achieved through the activities described in paragraph (2)(C); or
(iv)
provided through any combination of clauses (i) and (ii).
(B)
Phase II
A Federal agency described in paragraph (1) shall authorize a recipient of a Phase II SBIR or STTR award to utilize not more than $50,000 per project, included as part of the award of the recipient or in addition to the amount of the award of the recipient as determined appropriate by the head of the Federal agency, for the services described in paragraph (1)—
(i)
provided through a vendor selected under paragraph (2)(A);
(ii)
provided through a vendor other than a vendor selected under paragraph (2)(A);
(iii)
achieved through the activities described in paragraph (2)(C); or
(iv)
provided through any combination of clauses (i), (ii), and (iii).
 ; and
(D)
by adding at the end the following:
(5)
Targeted review
A Federal agency may perform targeted reviews of technical and business assistance funding as described in subsection (mm)(1)(F).
 ; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(aaa)
I–Corps participation
(1)
In general
Each Federal agency that is, as of January 1, 2025, required to conduct an SBIR or STTR program with an Innovation Corps program (established under section 601 of the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1862s–8 ) and commonly known as  I–Corps ) shall—
(A)
provide an option for participation in an I–Corps teams course, I–Corps bootcamp, or another equivalent training program to recipients of an award under the SBIR or STTR program; and
(B)
authorize the recipients described in subparagraph (A) to use amounts authorized under this subsection to participate in the I–Corps teams course, I–Corps bootcamp, or another equivalent training program.
(2)
Cost of participation
The cost of participation by a recipient described in paragraph (1)(A) in an I–Corps course, I–Corps bootcamp, or another equivalent training program may be provided by—
(A)
an I–Corps team grant;
(B)
funds awarded to the recipient under this subsection;
(C)
the participating teams or other sources as appropriate; or
(D)
any combination of sources described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).
 .
205.
Improvements to website relating to the SBIR program and STTR program
(a)
SBIR program
Section 9(g)(8) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(g)(8) ) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (B), by striking  and  at the end;
(2)
in subparagraph (C), by adding  and  at the end; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(D)
for each research institution subcontracted by a recipient of a Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III SBIR award to perform research or research and development with respect to the award—
(i)
the name and location of the research institution;
(ii)
whether the research institution is—
(I)
an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ));
(II)
a nonprofit institution (as defined in section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ( 15 U.S.C. 3703 )) other than an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )); or
(III)
a federally funded research and development center (as identified by the National Scientific Foundation in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation); and
(iii)
for each research institution that is an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )), whether the research institution is—
(I)
a part B institution (as defined in section 322 the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ));
(II)
a Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in section 502 of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1101a ));
(III)
a Tribal College or University (as defined in section 316 of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1059c ));
(IV)
an Alaska Native-serving institution or a Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in section 317(b) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1059d(b) ));
(V)
a Predominantly Black Institution (as defined in section 371(c) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(c) ));
(VI)
an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (as defined in section 371(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 10 1067q(c))); or
(VII)
a Native American-serving nontribal institution (as defined in section 371(c) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(c) ));
 .
(b)
STTR program
Section 9(o)(9) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(o)(9) ) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (B), by striking  and  at the end;
(2)
in subparagraph (C), by adding  and  at the end; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(D)
for each research institution subcontracted by a recipient of a Phase I or Phase II STTR award to perform research or research and development with respect to the award—
(i)
the name and location of the research institution;
(ii)
whether the research institution is—
(I)
an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ));
(II)
a nonprofit institution (as defined in section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ( 15 U.S.C. 3703 )) other than an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )); or
(III)
a federally funded research and development center (as identified by the National Scientific Foundation in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation); and
(iii)
for each research institution that is an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )), whether the research institution is—
(I)
a part B institution (as defined in section 322 the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1061 ));
(II)
a Hispanic-serving institution (as defined in section 502 of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1101a ));
(III)
a Tribal College or University (as defined in section 316 of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1059c ));
(IV)
an Alaska Native-serving institution or a Native Hawaiian-serving institution (as defined in section 317(b) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1059d(b) ));
(V)
a Predominantly Black Institution (as defined in section 371(c) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(c) ));
(VI)
an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-serving institution (as defined in section 371(c) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 25 1067q(c))); or
(VII)
a Native American-serving nontribal institution (as defined in section 371(c) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(c) ));
 .
(c)
Database reporting
(1)
In general
Section 9(k) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(k) ) is amended—
(A)
by striking  Phase I or Phase II SBIR or STTR  each place it appears and inserting  Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III SBIR or STTR ;
(B)
in paragraph (1)(B)—
(i)
in clause (ii), by striking  and  at the end;
(ii)
in clause (iii), by adding  and  at the end; and
(iii)
by adding at the end the following:
(iv)
information regarding any research institution subcontracted by that small business concern to perform research or research and development with respect to the award, including—
(I)
the name and location of the research institution;
(II)
whether the research institution is—
(aa)
an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ));
(bb)
a nonprofit institution (as defined in section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ( 15 U.S.C. 3703 )) other than an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )); or
(cc)
a federally funded research and development center (as identified by the National Scientific Foundation in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation); and
(III)
for each research institution that is an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )), whether the research institution is an institution described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) );
 ;
(C)
in paragraph (2)—
(i)
in subparagraph (A), by striking  Phase I or Phase II of the SBIR program or the STTR  and inserting  Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III of the SBIR program or the STTR ;
(ii)
in subparagraph (F), by striking  and  at the end;
(iii)
in subparagraph (G)(ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; and ; and
(iv)
by adding at the end the following:
(H)
contains information for each research institution subcontracted by a recipient of a Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III STTR or SBIR award to perform research or research and development with respect to the award, including—
(i)
the name and location of the research institution;
(ii)
whether the research institution is—
(I)
an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 ));
(II)
a nonprofit institution (as defined in section 4 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 ( 15 U.S.C. 3703 )) other than an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )); or
(III)
a federally funded research and development center (as identified by the National Scientific Foundation in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation); and
(iii)
for each research institution that is an institution of higher education (as defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001 )), whether the research institution is an institution described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of such Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1067q(a) ).
 ; and
(D)
in paragraph (3)(C), by striking  Phase I or Phase II award  each place it appears and inserting  Phase I, Phase II, or Phase III award .
(2)
Database update deadline
Notwithstanding paragraphs (1) or (2) of section 9(k) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(k) ), the Administrator shall, not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, include—
(A)
in the database described such paragraph (1) the information required under such paragraph, as amended by subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
(B)
in the database described such paragraph (2) the information required under such paragraph, as amended by subparagraphs (A) and (C) of paragraph (1) of this subsection.
III
Commercialization Improvements
301.
Phase III award education
Section 9(r) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(r) ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(5)
Workforce training
(A)
In general
The Administrator, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Administrator of General Services, and the head of any other Federal agency that the Administrator determines appropriate, shall establish training activities for contracting officers and the agency acquisition workforce of Federal agencies to ensure that all such individuals are fully aware of all aspects of Phase III acquisitions under the SBIR and STTR programs, as applicable.
(B)
Training topics
The training activities required under subparagraph (A) shall include training on—
(i)
the missions, goals, and authorities of the SBIR and STTR programs;
(ii)
the use of Phase III agreement;
(iii)
Phase III data rights; and
(iv)
the execution of Phase III sole source award contracts.
(C)
Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i)
Agency acquisition workforce
The term  agency acquisition workforce  means the employees of a Federal agency that have procurement or acquisition responsibilities, including—
(I)
employees described in section 1703 of title 41, United States Code; and
(II)
individuals that are part of the acquisition workforce (as that term is defined in section 101(a) of title 10, United States Code).
(ii)
Phase III acquisition
The term  Phase III acquisition  means an acquisition of a good or service from a participant in Phase III that such participant has commercialized or is seeking to commercialize as such a participant.
 .
302.
Report on certain denials of Phase III
Section 9(r) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(r) ), as amended by section 301, is further amended by adding at the end the following:
(6)
Reporting
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Department of Defense denies a small business concern Phase III agreement, the Secretary of Defense shall report that denial to the Administrator.
 .
303.
Technology Commercialization Official
Section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ), as amended by section 204, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(bbb)
Technology Commercialization Official
The head of each Federal agency required to establish an SBIR or STTR program shall—
(1)
designate an existing official within the Federal agency as the Technology Commercialization Official of that Federal agency, who shall—
(A)
have sufficient experience with commercialization;
(B)
provide guidance to SBIR and STTR program awardees in commercializing and transitioning technologies;
(C)
coordinate with the Administrator and the Technology Commercialization Officials of other Federal agencies to identify additional markets and commercialization pathways for promising SBIR and STTR program technologies;
(D)
submit to the Administrator an annual report on the number of technologies from that SBIR or STTR program that have advanced commercialization activities, including information required in the commercialization impact assessment report under subsection (ccc);
(E)
identify and advocate for SBIR and STTR technologies with sufficient technology and commercialization readiness to advance to Phase III awards or other non-SBIR or STTR program contracts;
(F)
submit to the Administrator an annual report on—
(i)
the actions taken by that Federal agency to simply, standardize, and expedite the application process and requirements, procedures, and contracts as required under subsection (hh); and
(ii)
the results of the actions taken under clause (i); and
(G)
carry out such other duties as the head of that Federal agency determines necessary; or
(2)
identify an official in that Federal agency carrying out responsibilities that are substantially similar to those described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of paragraph (1).
 .
304.
Phase III improvements
(a)
Procurement center representative directives
(1)
In general
Section 9(j)(4) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(j)(4) ) is amended by inserting before the period at the end the following:  , and advocate for the maximum practicable use and transition of products, services, and technologies developed under SBIR or STTR programs to Phase III by means of Phase III awards to small business concerns .
(2)
Modification deadline
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall modify the policy directives issues pursuant to subsection (j) of section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(j) ) in accordance with paragraph (4) of that subsection, as amended by paragraph (1).
(b)
Phase III award simplification
Section 9(r)(4) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(r)(4) ) is amended—
(1)
in subparagraph (A), by striking  and  at the end;
(2)
in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; and ; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(C)
report to the Administrator on the actions taken by the Federal agency or Federal prime contractor to develop simplified and standardized procedures and model contracts for Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III SBIR awards; and
(D)
issue standardized solicitation provisions and contract clauses that provide clear guidance on the information that small business concerns participating in SBIR or STTR programs can be expected to provide as part of market research or as part of a proposal by those small business concerns to establish eligibility for Phase III awards.
 .
IV
Pilot Programs
401.
Extend and modify assistance for administrative, oversight, and contract processing costs
(a)
In general
Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1) ), as amended by section 203, is further amended—
(1)
by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (L) as clauses (i) through (xii), respectively, and adjusting the margins accordingly;
(2)
by striking  Subject to paragraph (3)  and inserting the following;
(A)
Use of funds
Subject to subparagraph (B) and paragraph (3)
 ;
(3)
in subparagraph (A), as so redesignated—
(A)
by striking  September 30, 2025  and inserting  September 30, 2030 ; and
(B)
by striking  3 percent  and inserting  3.3 percent ; and
(4)
by adding at the end the following:
(B)
Transfer of funds
(i)
In general
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of an Act providing appropriations for the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, the Department of Health and Human Services, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or the National Science Foundation, the head of each such entity for which that Act provided appropriations shall transfer not less than 10 percent of the amount of the funds used for the purposes described in clauses (i) through (xii) of subparagraph (A) to the Administrator to increase the resources of the Administration for administering the SBIR and STTR programs.
(ii)
Fund use limits
None of the funds transferred under clause (i) may be used for or with respect to any program established under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 ( 15 U.S.C. 661 et seq. ).
 .
(b)
Increasing participation of underserved populations in the SBIR and STTR programs
(1)
In general
Section 9(mm)(2) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(2) ) is amended to read as follows:
(2)
Outreach and technical assistance
A Federal agency participating in the program under this subsection may use a portion of the funds authorized for uses under paragraph (1) to carry out the policy directive required under subsection (j)(2)(F) and to increase the participation of States with respect to which a low level of SBIR awards have historically been awarded.
 .
(2)
Conforming amendment
Section 9(mm)(6) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(6) ) is amended by striking  including  and all that follows and inserting the following:
including—
(A)
the use of funds transferred under subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) for the uses authorized under that subparagraph and to achieve the objectives of paragraph (2); and
(B)
the use of other funds under this subsection to achieve those objectives.
 .
402.
Extend and expand the direct to Phase II authority
Section 9(cc) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(cc) ) is amended—
(1)
by striking  During  and inserting the following:
(1)
In general
During
 ;
(2)
in paragraph (1), as so designated—
(A)
by striking  2012 through 2025  and inserting  2012 through 2030 ; and
(B)
by striking  the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Defense, and the Department of Education may each  and inserting  each Federal agency required to carry out an SBIR program may ; and
(3)
by adding at the end the following:
(2)
Limitation
The total value of awards provided by a Federal agency under this subsection in a fiscal year shall be—
(A)
except as provided in subparagraph (B), not more than 10 percent of the total funds allocated to the SBIR program of the Federal agency during that fiscal year; and
(B)
with respect to the National Institutes of Health, not more than 15 percent of the total funds allocated to the SBIR program of the National Institutes of Health during that fiscal year.
(3)
Report
Each head of a Federal agency that exercises the authority under this subsection shall include in the next report submitted by that Federal agency under subsection (g)(9) following that exercise of authority the number and amount of awards provided under this subsection by that Federal agency during the period covered by that report.
 .
403.
Extend commercialization readiness program for civilian agencies
Section 9(gg) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(gg) ) is amended—
(1)
in the subsection heading, by striking
Pilot   and inserting
Civilian agencies commercialization readiness  ;
(2)
by striking  pilot program  each place that term appears and inserting  covered program ; and
(3)
in paragraph (7), by striking  fiscal year 2025  and inserting  fiscal year 2030 .
404.
Extension of certain SBIR and STTR pilot programs
(a)
Phase 0 proof of concept partnership program
Section 9(jj)(7) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(jj)(7) ) is amended by striking  at the end of fiscal year 2025  and inserting  on September 30, 2030 .
(b)
Commercialization assistance pilot programs
Section 9(uu)(3) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(uu)(3) ) is amended by striking  September 30, 2025  and inserting  September 30, 2030 .
405.
Extension of due diligence program to assess security risks
Section 9(vv)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(vv)(3)(C) ) is amended by striking  September 30, 2025  and inserting  September 30, 2030 .
V
Oversight and simplification initiatives
501.
Annual reports to congress
Section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ) is amended—
(1)
in subsection (g)—
(A)
in paragraph (9)—
(i)
by inserting  the  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate , the  Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives ,  after  SBIR program to ;
(ii)
by inserting a comma after  Administration ; and
(iii)
by inserting after  Technology Policy  the following:  and publish that report on the website of that Federal agency as soon as practicable ; and
(B)
in paragraph (10), by striking  applicable),,  and inserting  applicable), ;
(2)
in subsection (o)—
(A)
in paragraph (8), by striking  applicable),,  and inserting  applicable), ; and
(B)
in paragraph (10)—
(i)
by inserting  the  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate , the  Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives ,  after  STTR program to ;
(ii)
by inserting a comma after  Administration ; and
(iii)
by inserting after  Technology Policy  the following:  and publish that report on the website of that Federal agency as soon as practicable ; and
(3)
in subsection (gg)(6), by inserting  Congress and  after  agency to .
502.
Comptroller general report on diversification and commercialization
(a)
Definitions
In this section:
(1)
Federal agency; SBIR; STTR
The terms  Federal agency ,  SBIR , and  STTR  have the meanings given those terms in section 9(e) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(e) ).
(2)
New entrant
The term  new entrant  means a small business concern that has not previously received an SBIR or STTR award.
(3)
Underrepresented groups
The term  underrepresented groups  means small business concerns located in States with respect to which a low level of SBIR and STTR awards have historically been awarded, small business concerns owned and controlled by women, and small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.
(4)
Participating agency
The term  participating agency  means a Federal agency carrying out an SBIR or STTR program under section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ).
(5)
Small business concern
The term  small business concern  has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 632 ).
(6)
Small business concern owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals; small business concern owned and controlled by women
The terms  small business concern owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals  and  small business concern owned and controlled by women  have the meanings given those terms in section 8(d) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 637(d) ).
(b)
Report
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to the  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate  and the  Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives  a report on the effectiveness of the SBIR and STTR programs with respect to diversification of participants and commercialization.
(c)
Contents
The report shall include, to the extent practicable, an assessment of—
(1)
the demographics of small business concerns receiving SBIR or STTR awards, including new entrants and underrepresented groups;
(2)
the efforts of participating agencies to broaden representation and participation of new entrants and underrepresented groups in the SBIR and STTR programs;
(3)
how participating agencies develop solicitation topics and attract applicants;
(4)
the efforts of participating agencies to support technology commercialization;
(5)
the extent to which the SBIR and STTR awards made by each participating agency align with the research priorities and technology needs of that participating agency; and
(6)
such other matters as the Comptroller General, in consultation with the  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate  and the  Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives , determines appropriate.
503.
Extend the report on award timeliness
Section 9(ii)(2)(A) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(ii)(2)(A) ) is amended—
(1)
in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking  3 years  and inserting  11 years ;
(2)
in clause (i), by striking  and  at the end;
(3)
by redesignating clause (ii) as clause (iii); and
(4)
by inserting after clause (i) the following:
(ii)
provides the average and median amount of time that each Federal agency with an SBIR or STTR program takes to review and make a final decision on proposals submitted under the program; and
 .
504.
Pilot program to accelerate national institutes of health evaluation process
(a)
In general
Section 9(hh) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(hh) ) is amended by adding at the end the following:
(3)
Pilot program to accelerate the National Institutes of Health SBIR and STTR awards
(A)
In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall establish a pilot program to reduce the time for awards under the SBIR and STTR programs of the National Institutes of Health.
(B)
Award procedures
In carrying out the pilot program under subparagraph (A), the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall develop simplified and standardized procedures across all relevant awarding offices at the National Institutes of Health and reduce the amount of time between the provision of notice of those awards and the subsequent release of funding with respect to the awards to be as close to 90 days as possible.
(C)
Merit review
(i)
In general
Under the pilot program under subparagraph (A), the Director of the National Institutes of Health may, with respect to awards under the SBIR and STTR programs of the National Institutes of Health, use such peer review procedures (including consultation with appropriate scientific experts) as the Director determines to be appropriate to obtain assessments of scientific and technical merit and potential for commercialization.
(ii)
Deemed
The use of peer review procedures under clause (i) shall be deemed to fulfill any requirements applicable to the award under the SBIR or STTR program of the National Institutes of Health under sections 406(a)(3)(A) and 492 of the Public Health Service Act ( 42 U.S.C. 284a(a)(3)(A) , 289a).
(D)
Termination
The pilot program under subparagraph (A) shall terminate on September 30, 2030.
 .
(b)
Evaluation report
Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Director of the National Institutes of Health shall submit to the  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate  and the  Committee on Small Business  and the  Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives  an evaluation of the pilot program established under paragraph (3) of section 9(hh) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(hh) ), as added by subsection (a), including an analysis of the peer review procedures used under subparagraph (C) of that paragraph and the effects on award times.
505.
Codifying safeguards for small business concerns majority-owned by venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms
(a)
In general
Section 9(dd) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(dd) ) is amended—
(1)
in paragraph (6)(B), by striking  If a Federal  and inserting  Except as provided in paragraph (8), if a Federal ; and
(2)
by adding at the end the following:
(8)
Participation limits
(A)
Definitions
In this paragraph:
(i)
Covered foreign entity
the term  covered foreign entity —
(I)
means—
(aa)
a foreign entity of concern;
(bb)
a government or political party of a foreign country of concern;
(cc)
a natural person who is not a lawful permanent resident of the United States, citizen of the United States, or any other protected individual (as that term is defined in section 274B(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3) )); or
(dd)
a partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other combination of persons organized under the laws of or having its principal place of business in a foreign country of concern; and
(II)
includes—
(aa)
any entity owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of an entity listed in subclause (I);
(bb)
any person, wherever located, who acts as an agent, representative, or employee of an entity listed in subclause (I);
(cc)
any person who acts in any other capacity at the order, request, or under the direction or control, of an entity listed in subclause (I), or of a person whose activities are directly or indirectly supervised, directed, controlled, financed, or subsidized in whole or in majority part by an entity listed in subclause (I);
(dd)
any person who directly or indirectly through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship, or otherwise, owns 25 percent or more of the equity interests of an entity listed in subclause (I);
(ee)
any person with significant responsibility to control, manage, or direct an entity listed in subclause (I);
(ff)
any person, wherever located, who is a citizen or resident of a country controlled by an entity listed in subclause (I); or
(gg)
any corporation, partnership, association, or other organization organized under the laws of a country controlled by an entity listed in subclause (I).
(ii)
Foreign entity of concern
The term  foreign entity of concern  means a foreign entity that is—
(I)
designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the Secretary of State under section 219(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1189(a) );
(II)
included on the list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the Department of the Treasury (commonly known as the SDN list);
(III)
owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of a government of a foreign country that is a covered nation (as that term is defined in section 4872 of title 10, United States Code);
(IV)
alleged by the Attorney General to have been involved in activities for which a conviction was obtained under—
(aa)
 chapter 37  of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the  Espionage Act );
(bb)
section 951 or 1030 of title 18, United States Code;
(cc)
 chapter 90  of title 18, United States Code (commonly known as the  Economic Espionage Act of 1996 );
(dd)
the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2751 et seq. );
(ee)
section 224, 225, 226, 227, or 236 of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 ( 42 U.S.C. 2274 , 2275, 2276, 2277, and 2284);
(ff)
the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 ( 50 U.S.C. 4801 et seq. ); or
(gg)
the International Emergency Economic Powers Act ( 50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq. ); or
(V)
determined by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Director of National Intelligence, to be engaged in unauthorized conduct that is detrimental to the national security or foreign policy of the United States.
(B)
Ownership by a covered foreign entity
A small business concern that is majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms is ineligible to receive an award under any SBIR program if the Administrator determines that such small business concern is, or is owned and controlled in majority part by, a covered foreign entity.
(C)
Ownership determination
In determining whether a small business concern is ineligible to receive an award under any SBIR program under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall consider whether the small business concern is a direct or indirect subsidiary of a foreign-owned firm.
(D)
Size standards
The Administrator shall establish size standards for small business concerns seeking to participate in an SBIR program solely under the authority under this section.
 .
(b)
Applicability
The amendments made by subsection (a) shall apply only with respect to awards made under a Small Business Innovation Research Program (as defined in section 9(e) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638(e) )) after the date of enactment of this Act.
506.
Commercialization impact assessment
Section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ), as amended by section 303, is amended by adding at the end the following:
(ccc)
Commercialization impact assessment
(1)
In general
The Administrator shall coordinate with the head of each Federal agency with an SBIR or STTR program to develop an annual commercialization impact assessment, which shall measure, for each small business concern that has received not less than 50 Phase II awards on or after October 1 of the ninth full fiscal year beginning before the fiscal year in which the assessment is carried out—
(A)
the total dollar value of Federal awards, subgrants, contracts, and subcontracts, other than SBIR or STTR awards, received by the small business concern in the preceding 9 fiscal years;
(B)
the total dollar value of all SBIR and STTR Phase I and Phase II awards received by the small business concern in the preceding 9 fiscal years;
(C)
the average annual gross revenue of the small business concern over the preceding 9 fiscal years;
(D)
the total revenue of the small business concern received or realized in the preceding 9 fiscal years from the sale or licensing of any product or service resulting from research conducted under an SBIR or STTR award, which shall be disaggregated by the revenue from those sales and the revenue from that licensing;
(E)
additional investments in the small business concern from any source, other than Phase I or Phase II SBIR or STTR awards, to further the research and development conducted under an SBIR or STTR award received by the small business concern in the preceding 9 fiscal years;
(F)
any mergers and acquisitions of SBIR or STTR award recipients during or after the completion of a Phase II award;
(G)
new, unique spin-out companies and third party revenues from any businesses in the preceding 9 fiscal years resulting from research conducted by the small business concern under an SBIR or STTR award;
(H)
the year in which the first Phase II award was received by the small business concern and the total number of employees of the small business concern at the time of the first Phase II award;
(I)
the number of employees, as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year; and
(J)
the total number and value of Phase III awards received by the small business concern.
(2)
Publication
The Administrator shall create a report on the findings of each commercialization impact assessment and shall—
(A)
include that report in the annual report required under subsection (b)(7); and
(B)
submit that report to—
(i)
the  Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate ; and
(ii)
the  Committee on Science, Space, and Technology  and the  Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives .
 .
VI
Technical changes
601.
Inclusion of SBICs in the SBIR and STTR programs
Section 9 of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ), as amended by section 505, is amended—
(1)
by striking  or private equity firm investment  each place that term appears and inserting  private equity firm, or SBIC investment ;
(2)
by striking  or private equity firms  each place that term appears and inserting  private equity firms, or SBICs ;
(3)
in subsection (e)—
(A)
in paragraph (18), by striking  and  at the end;
(B)
in paragraph (19), by striking the period at the end and inserting  ; and ; and
(C)
by adding at the end the following:
(20)
the term  SBIC  means a small business investment company as defined in section 103 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 ( 15 U.S.C. 662 ).
 ; and
(4)
in the heading for subsection (dd), by striking
or Private Equity Firms   and inserting
Private Equity Firms, or SBICs  .
602.
Phase III and sole-source awards
Section 9(r) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 638 ) is amended—
(1)
in the heading, by inserting
Sole Source and Other   after
Justification for  ; and
(2)
in the heading for paragraph (4), by inserting
sole source and other   after
justification for  .