Michael Braukus

Headquarters, Washington July 18, 2002

(Phone: 202/358-1979)

RELEASE: 02-129

NASA SELECTS INNOVATIVE SMALL BUSINESS RESEARCH PROJECTS

NASA has selected 142 research proposals for negotiation

of Phase 2 contract awards for its Small Business Innovation
Research (SBIR) program. The selected research projects will
be conducted by 124 small, high-technology firms located in
27 states. The awards have a total value of approximately $85
million.

The goals of this NASA program are to stimulate technological

innovation, increase the use of small business -- including
women-owned and disadvantaged firms -- in meeting federal
research and development needs and increase private-sector
commercialization of innovations derived from federally
sponsored research.

A total of 291 proposals were submitted by SBIR contractors

completing Phase 1 projects. These proposals were evaluated
to determine that they met SBIR Phase 1 objectives and are
feasible research innovations for meeting agency needs.

Phase 2 continues development of the most promising Phase 1

projects. Selection criteria include technical merit and
innovation, Phase 1 results, value to NASA, commercial
potential and company capabilities. Funding for Phase 2
contracts could be up to $600,000 for a two-year performance
period.

The NASA SBIR Program is managed by the Goddard Space Flight

Center, Greenbelt, Md., with executive oversight by NASA's
Office of Aerospace Technology, Washington. Individual SBIR
projects are managed by NASA's ten field installations.

A listing of the selected companies can be accessed on the

Internet at:
http://sbir.nasa.gov

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