Apr. 14 at 6:55 PM
$VRAR S.3971 is now law. But most people haven't read what's actually in it. We did. 🫡
After a 6-month lapse that left agencies frozen and small businesses in limbo, yesterday the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act was signed into law, reauthorizing SBIR/STTR through 2031.
But this isn't just a reauthorization. The bill is packed with structural changes that will reshape how small businesses compete for and win awards. Here's what you need to know:
🔬 Strategic Breakthrough Funding — A new
$30M Phase II award category with a 48-month performance period. This is Congress signaling it wants SBIR to bridge the valley of death, not just fund research. We break down which agencies this will likely apply to.
Enhanced Foreign Due Diligence — Agencies will now scrutinize ownership structures, foreign investment ties, licensing relationships, and affiliations with countries of concern. STTR applicants face even deeper review because the assessment extends to partner,,,,
