INNOVATION CATALYST
Tese cooperative endeavors will align solutions from innovators with the most complex Army challenges. Tey also will drive higher funding and streamlined partnerships with prime contrac- tors and greater transparency among Army stakeholders.
Te SBIR CATALYST Program, xTechPrime Competition and R&D Marketplace will play key roles in helping build the Army of 2030. While using different mechanisms for innovation, the initiatives will be synchronized to capitalize on existing focus and funding in the discovery and delivery of critical, next-gener- ation technologies.
ARMY SBIR CATALYST PROGRAM ASA(ALT) will launch a pilot of the Army SBIR CATALYST Program this spring to drive and incentivize collaboration and to spur investment in science and technology-based small busi- nesses. Trough the program, the Army will direct 15 percent of Army SBIR’s $300 million annual budget to offer up to five awards and, in 2023, to enhance technological exploration, devel- opment and Army priorities.
Te SBIR CATALYST Program also intends to tackle existing transition risks for SBIR prototypes by focusing on technology solicitations in key Army areas including sensors; climate and clean technology; artificial intelligence and machine learning; and immersive and wearables.
Te SBIR CATALYST Program will increase potential funding by requiring matching funds from the Army SBIR Program, Army customers and defense contractors. Meanwhile, the standard Army SBIR Program will continue to release R&D solicitations on an ad-hoc basis.
Tis effort could drive scientific and technical growth by enabling the Army to increase its appeal as a partner to small businesses— the SBIR CATALYST Program may lift contract award funding up to eight times larger than the standard SBIR contract, with awards as high as $15 million to $20 million, to support more scalable R&D acquisitions.
“To facilitate scientific advancement, the SBIR CATALYST Program will strengthen the alignment of technology exploration and development, synergize Army investments with integrators, and drive down transition risk,” Willis said.
XTECHPRIME COMPETITION Te ASA(ALT)-led Army xTech Program offers several science and technology prize competitions throughout the year to attract
34 Army AL&T Magazine Spring 2023 DOUBLE THE FUN
Douglas Bush, assistant secretary of the Army for acquisition, logistics and technology, left, talks with Shannon Sentell, Ph.D., chief operating officer of Stealth Power. The business was announced as a two-time xTech winner in 2022, in both the xTechSearch 6 and xTechSBIR Clean Tech competitions. (Photo by U.S. Army xTech Program)
innovators such as small businesses, academia and international industry leaders with dual-use solutions. Since its start in 2018, the program has awarded over $17.6 million in cash prizes and $89.4 million in follow-on contracts to those with novel tech- nologies that solve the Army’s most critical modernization needs.
Launching in 2023, the xTechPrime competition will continue this trend and build on xTech’s competition and cash prizes with a new program structure. It will require prime contrac- tors to partner with small businesses to improve inclusivity, and link businesses directly with the Army innovation and acquisi- tion enterprise.
Tis will foster collaboration between these two critical sources of innovation, while also increasing the likelihood of contract awards. Prime defense contractors bring multiple benefits to the table that help smaller companies with less funding and fewer
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