Federal Research:
Small Business Innovation Research Program Shows Success But Can Be Strengthened
T-RCED-92-32: Published: Feb 26, 1992. Publicly Released: Feb 26, 1992.
Additional Materials:
- Full Report:
Contact:
GAO discussed the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, focusing on products' commercial trends in Phase III of the program, which involves the use of non-federal funds for commercial application of the technology or follow-on non-SBIR government contracts for government application. GAO noted that: (1) about half of the SBIR projects are of about the same quality as other federal research; (2) as of July 1991, the SBIR program had generated about $1.1 billion in Phase III sales and funding for technical development; (3) SBIR-funded research and development is moving toward increased private-sector commercialization, since the majority of sales and additional developmental funding comes from the private sector; (4) project sales averages vary greatly among the federal agencies; and (5) although the Department of Defense (DOD) is the only major federal agency whose SBIR sales to the federal government exceed private-sector sales, DOD continues to emphasize meeting agency research and development needs rather than increasing private-sector commercialization. GAO believes that, to strengthen the program: (1) DOD needs to increase private sector commercialization without weakening its commitment to meeting its own mission-related needs; (2) federal officials need to clarify the contractual procedures for entering into Phase III follow-on non-SBIR-funded production contracts; (3) federal officials need to determine whether the company or the agency should perform additional post-program work; and (4) federal officials need to determine whether lower performance diminishes program achievements and limits company participation.
Dec 21, 2020
-
Science & Tech Spotlight:
Tracing the Source of Chemical WeaponsGAO-21-271SP: Published: Dec 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 21, 2020.
Dec 17, 2020
-
Federal Research:
Agencies Need to Enhance Policies to Address Foreign InfluenceGAO-21-130: Published: Dec 17, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 17, 2020.
Dec 7, 2020
-
Science & Tech Spotlight:
Air Quality SensorsGAO-21-189SP: Published: Dec 7, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 7, 2020.
Nov 30, 2020
-
Artificial Intelligence in Health Care:
Benefits and Challenges of Technologies to Augment Patient CareGAO-21-7SP: Published: Nov 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 30, 2020.
Nov 20, 2020
-
Biomedical Research:
NIH Should Publicly Report More Information about the Licensing of Its Intellectual PropertyGAO-21-52: Published: Oct 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 20, 2020.
Sep 3, 2020
-
Defense Science and Technology:
Opportunities to Better Integrate Industry Independent Research and Development into DOD PlanningGAO-20-578: Published: Sep 3, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 3, 2020.
Aug 31, 2020
-
Science & Tech Spotlight:
Consumer Electronics RecyclingGAO-20-712SP: Published: Aug 31, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 31, 2020.
Aug 11, 2020
-
Facial Recognition Technology:
Privacy and Accuracy Issues Related to Commercial UsesGAO-20-522: Published: Jul 13, 2020. Publicly Released: Aug 11, 2020.
Jul 30, 2020
-
Covid-19:
Data Quality and Considerations for Modeling and AnalysisGAO-20-635SP: Published: Jul 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 30, 2020.
Jul 28, 2020
-
Science & Tech Spotlight:
Contact Tracing AppsGAO-20-666SP: Published: Jul 28, 2020. Publicly Released: Jul 28, 2020.
Looking for more? Browse all our products here