Any federal agency may award a Phase III SBIR/STTR sole source contract. Congress incorporated reciprocity into the SBIR program, and a Phase III can be based on performance on a Phase I and/or a Phase II SBIR/STTR from any other agency. For example, the US Air Force may issue a Phase III sole source based on work performed under a National Institutes of Health Phase I SBIR or STTR. Moreover, Phase I or II work need not be completed or even successful.

Note also in a Bid Protest Decision, General Accountability Office (GAO) determined that the Government (technical and contracts) has broad discretion on determining what extends, derives, or completes a SBIR Phase I/II.

The government has invested heavily in small business innovation to bring new technologies to the government. Even with these efforts, the SBIR Phase III remains underserved by the greater Government community. Although all agencies must adhere to the Small Business Administration's Policy Directive, currently, there is no common contract vehicle or methodology to effectively transition SBIR products, services, production, and research in an efficient manner.

Below are resources government customers and companies alike have found very useful. Please notify us if we missed any, and we will add them to the list. Note that the links below will navigate to an outside/3rd party website:

Air Force Phase III Overview

Air Force Contracting Guide

Air Force Webinar on Phase III sole source contracts and Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs)

Army Phase III

Breaking Down SBIR & STTR Programs with Kristina Botelho

NASA Phase III Contracting Guide:

Navy SBIR Overview

Periodic Table of Acquisition Innovations

SBA Policy Directive

SBA Phase III Overview

SBA Data Rights Tutorial

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