business participation in federally funded research and development projects. Te three-phase competitive process allows proposals to be submitted in response to DOD solicitations. With SBIRs, the Army can see what the leading edge of research is. Tey allow an environment where the Army can meet with industry, discuss specific technological needs, eval- uate pioneering concepts and, if viable, choose a solution that shows promise.
For example, when the Army needed a net- working solution to enhance situational awareness and information sharing during severe conditions with poor connectivity, PEO C3T turned to a SBIR. Currently in Phase II, the Robust Command and Control Networking (C2NET) capabil- ity provides a robust multicast solution by linking disconnected communications to the most direct, clear network path. With- out C2NET, the network would simply restart using the same prior path instead of the fastest or clearest path that saves time and troubleshooting efforts.
And when a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi con- nection was needed between the Army’s newest waveform radios and the Soldier’s smartphone-like end user device (EUD), a SBIR with Arizona-based DataSoft Corp. produced SideBridge, which attaches directly to the radio and wirelessly expands the personal area network com- munications. With SideBridge, a Phase II SBIR, a hardware module provides Blue- tooth connectivity between the radio and EUD for the wireless transfer of images, messaging and video.
Vik Patel, chief executive officer for DataSoft, said that without question, SBIRs allow small businesses to develop a capability and expand product offerings.
“SBIRs are very valuable and have increased our recognition by customers
MORE FUNCTION, LESS WEIGHT
SBIRs give small businesses the structure and funds needed to hone a niche capability. For ex- ample, from top right, DataSoft produced SideBridge, which expands the personal area network communications without wires; MegaWave produced a flexible antenna that conforms and clips securely to uniforms; and Mayflower Communications developed a small dongle that provides encrypted GPS. (SOURCE: Denise Rule, PEO C3T)
and put us
in touch with both prime
contractors and government to develop technology at a lower cost and in a short- ened time,” Patel said. “Tey also let us develop technology and capabilities with- out a loss of control of the company or having to borrow money.”
Often, SBIRs can be used to fill a very specific need. For example, an addi- tional requirement arose in the case of the Rifleman Radio: the need for a GPS selective availability anti-spoofing mod- ule (SAASM), more easily understood as a military-level encrypted GPS.
Tere are a few companies that are autho- rized to develop SAASM receivers. Te Massachusetts-based
Mayflower Com- munications Company Inc., the only
small business among them, developed a competitively-priced NavAssure SAASM dongle that can attach to the radio.
“Before Mayflower, the SAASM receiv- ers were bulky, expensive and used a lot of power,” said Naresh Babu Jarmale, vice president of engineering for May- flower. “We developed one of the smallest SAASM receivers in the world, leveraging the technology developed under a Navy- sponsored SBIR program. Because of this technology, it is now possible to integrate SAASMs into smaller systems like Soldier tactical radios and other small platforms.”
Jarmale said that in order for a small busi- ness such as Mayflower to compete, SBIR programs are essential.
ASC.ARMY.MIL
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ACQUISITION
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