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This week's top story is that the Small Business Innovation Research program is on its way to being reauthorized for 3 years.
- The Senate passed the bill and it heads to the House next week.
- The new authorization has a few changes, including requiring each DoD component to have one open topic at least once a year and for agencies to report on "adversarial military and foreign influences" in the programs.
In other Congress news, the Senate's version of the continuing resolution is still being drafted, with the promise that it will include a controversial provision from Sen. Manchin about permitting reforms for energy projects.
- Senate vote is expected next week, and it doesn't look good for this version of the bill to get passed. Standby for last-minute funding theatrics.
In acquisition news, there's an update on the Navy's procurement fraud soap opera: Fat Leonard has been apprehended in Venezuela, trying to get to Russia, after escaping U.S. custody in San Diego.
- He may get his time on the stand after all.
The Defense Innovation Unit is working to speed up production of hypersonics, with a current initiative aiming to deliver prototypes in 12-24 months.
In case you missed it, Defense Pricing and Contracting issued a new Source Selection Guidebook that includes appendices explaining topics including debriefings, best value tradeoff, and lowest price technically acceptable.
We have several news stories from this week's Air Force Association conference, including a few looking at how space acquisition may proceed with a lean/agile focus.
- This event is also where the Space Force official song was previewed to a notably tepid reaction.
This week's biggest news is, of course, that we are accepting proposals for next year's Acquisition Research Symposium, which will be held in Monterey, California. We've heard your requests for a hybrid event that brings the best of both online and in-person events. We can't wait to welcome you back to Monterey!
Finally, check out our latest panel on cybersecurity, which includes research on intellectual property, digital engineering, and protecting critical technologies.
This Week's Top Story
Senate pulls SBIR back from brink of sunsetting
Jason Miller, Federal News Network
The Small Business Innovation Research program is a big step further away from ending.
The Senate passed a three-year authorization of SBIR and the Small Business Technology Transfer Research program by unanimous consent on Sept. 20.
Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), chairman of Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, introduced and the full body passed the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 on Wednesday after several months of delay because of concerns from Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) about companies abusing the program.
The House is expected to take up the Senate’s bill on Sept. 28, according to a spokesman for the Small Business Committee.
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