Legislative Matters: The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program in Jeopardy

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Technology administers the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program. Through this competitive program, SBA ensures that the nation's small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts. Eleven federal departments participate in the SBIR program.

In December 2010, Congress adjourned before taking action on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program SBIR continuing resolution (CR). On January 4, 2011 when the 112th Congress was installed, the CR had to be reconsidered again. Without the passage of a CR, the entire SBIR program ends on January 31, 2011, when the current CR expires.

In response to this situation, NJBIN collected information about SBIR's received by NJBIN companies to be presented as a combined position of our organization. In addition to NJBIN’s efforts, individuals can help by contacting the Washington D.C. office of their Congressional representative. Ask for the representative's legislative assistant (preferably on small business issues) and ask them to support the passing of a continuing resolution for the current Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) bill. If you call the House switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and give them your zip code, they will connect you to your representative's D.C. office. If you know your representative's D.C. number, you can simply call them directly.

Unprecedented in SBIR history is the fact that this bill has the support of the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), Small Business Technology Council (SBTC), U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Small Business Association (NSBA), National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and many more state and regional entities such as Small Business California, and New England Innovation Alliance. This level of support has never happened in the past and is not a likely scenario for next year.

Action now is critical. It is possible that a new continuing resolution may be created for SBIR next year, but the new Congress is facing many high-profile items this new congress; it is not likely that an SBIR reauthorization could take place early in the next congress (if at all).

The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) is the world’s leading organization advancing business incubation and entrepreneurship. Each year, it provides thousands of professionals with information, education, advocacy and networking resources to bring excellence to the process of assisting early-stage companies. An elected, voting board of directors representing the world's leading incubators governs the association.

The New Jersey Business Incubation Network (NJBIN) is a collaborative state-wide community of business experts, resources and facilities dedicated to enhancing the commercial success of early-stage entrepreneurial companies, growing higher paying jobs in New Jersey and supporting the Economic Growth Strategy for the State.