Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II | 2022 NIST SBIR 02

FAQs: NIST SBIR Phase II (NOFO) - Opportunity 2022 NIST SBIR 02

1) What is this funding opportunity?

This is a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II solicitation issued as a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). It supports science, technology, and research and development (R&D) activities.

2) What is the opportunity title and number?

The title is Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase II. The opportunity number is 2022 NIST SBIR 02.

3) Which agency is offering this opportunity?

The offering agency is the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

4) Is this an open competition for new applicants?

No. This Phase II solicitation is specifically designed to allow prior NIST SBIR Phase I projects to continue into Phase II. It is not an open competition for organizations that did not already receive the relevant NIST SBIR Phase I award.

5) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is tightly restricted. Only organizations that received a FY 2021 NIST SBIR Phase I award may apply, and the Phase II application must be for Phase II of that same project.

6) What happens if an organization that was not a FY 2021 NIST SBIR Phase I awardee applies?

NIST is explicit that applications from any entity that is not a FY 2021 NIST SBIR Phase I awardee will not be reviewed or considered for funding.

7) Does the Phase II application need to be tied to the Phase I project?

Yes. The Phase II application must be for Phase II of the same project that received the FY 2021 NIST SBIR Phase I award.

8) Are there small business requirements in addition to being a prior Phase I awardee?

Yes. The applicant must meet the NOFO definition of a Small Business Concern (SBC) for R&D purposes (referenced as Section 1.05 in the NOFO) and must meet that SBC status at the time of award.

9) When must the applicant meet the SBC (Small Business Concern) definition?

The applicant must qualify as an SBC (as defined in the NOFO) and must meet that status at the time of award.

10) What is the award instrument for this NOFO?

The award instrument listed is a cooperative agreement.

11) What does it mean that the award is a cooperative agreement?

As described in the provided information, a cooperative agreement typically indicates NIST expects to have substantial involvement during the project compared to a standard grant.

12) What are the Principal Investigator (PI) employment requirements?

At the time of award and throughout the period of performance, the PI's primary employment must be with the small business.

13) How does NIST define the PI's "primary employment"?

NIST defines "primary employment" in practical terms as the PI spending more than half of their time working for the small business.

14) Can the PI be employed full-time somewhere else while serving as PI?

The information provided notes that the primary employment requirement generally rules out full-time employment with another organization at the same time, because the PI must spend more than half their time working for the small business.

15) Are exceptions to the PI primary employment requirement possible?

Yes, but only rarely. Exceptions may occur only if they are approved in writing by the NIST Grants Officer after consultation with the SBIR Program Manager. Applicants should treat the primary employment requirement as the default expectation.

16) Does the PI primary employment requirement apply only at award time, or for the whole project?

It applies at the time of award and throughout the period of performance.

17) Can the business replace the PI after the award is made?

A PI substitution is not automatic. Replacing the PI requires prior written approval from the NIST Grants Officer.

18) How does NIST treat personnel obtained through a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or employee leasing arrangement?

The NOFO clarifies that personnel obtained through a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or similar employee leasing arrangement may still be considered employees of the awardee, which may matter for staffing and employment-related compliance requirements.

19) What is the posted (creation) date for this opportunity?

The posted/creation date listed is 2022-05-03.

20) What is the closing date for submissions?

The original closing date for submissions is 2022-06-17.

21) What type of opportunity is this categorized as?

The listing categorizes the opportunity as discretionary.

22) What is the activity category and CFDA number?

The activity category is research and development. The CFDA number provided is 11.620.

23) The listing says eligible applicants are "Others." What does that mean in practice?

While the eligible applicants field is shown as "Others," the narrative makes clear that eligibility is, in practice, limited to FY 2021 NIST SBIR Phase I awardees that continue to qualify as an SBC and comply with the PI primary employment rules.

24) Are the award ceiling and expected number of awards provided?

No. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the information provided.

25) Where should applicants look for budget limits, performance period expectations, deliverables, and review criteria?

Because those details are not included in the provided listing summary, applicants would need to consult the full NOFO for any budget limits, expected performance period, deliverables, and review criteria.