The Ohio Federal Research Network (OFRN) helps innovators in academia, industry and the government make their technologies a reality and operational. Below are resources to help innovators on their journey through various federal R&D application processes. Please also visit our events page for information on upcoming OFRN webinars and ecosystem events.
DOD-wide | |
Open-source network map of the current DEF innovation ecosystem. | |
DEF connects and empowers people by convening events, forging partnerships, and amplifying initiatives to inspire and foster a culture of disruptive innovation in the U.S. national security community. | |
The official proposal submission website for the Department of Defense (DoD). | |
The Innovation Pathways website serves as a gateway for industry, small businesses, students, universities, and other organizations within the Department itself to discover opportunities with DoD organizations. | |
Regional Mission Acceleration Centers (MACs) and State-level OnRamp Hubs | |
Southwest Mission Acceleration Center Houses the OnRamp Hub: Arizona | The Southwest Mission Acceleration Center is a part of a national network of installations across the country. We are the “front door to DoD,” coordinating a robust national security innovation ecosystem, and enabling access to the right partners for rapid, scalable transition of emerging technologies needed by the warfighter. |
Pacific Northwest Mission Acceleration Center Houses the OnRamp Hub: Washington | The PNW MAC™’s goal is to remove barriers to engagement and accelerate defense innovation, serving as the center of gravity for the Pacific Northwest startup and venture communities, academia, and local and federal partners, to support the Department of Defense. Launching with Navy Tech Bridge, National Security Innovation Network (NSIN), Impact Washington and Pacific Northwest Defense Coalition (PNDC) support, this community will allow for both formal collaboration and the serendipitous innovation or “coffee pot collaboration” that comes from bringing people together. |
Great Plains Mission Acceleration Center Houses the OnRamp Hub: Kansas | We are the front door for DoD to Regional Businesses, academic institutions, and state organizations needed to find and field critical technologies to our warfighters in the state of Kansas and the Great Plains Region. The Great Plains Mission Acceleration Center® (GPMAC) is a national network of resources focusing on defense innovation. |
Indo Pacific Mission Acceleration Center Houses the OnRamp Hub: Hawai’i | Headquartered in Hawaii, the Mission Acceleration Center (MAC) Indo Pacific is the industry complement to Government innovation offices, working together to pull small businesses across the Valley of Death. |
Small Business Administration (SBA) SBIR/STTR & Registration Sites | |
The FAST Partnership Program provides one-year funding to organizations to execute state/regional programs that increase the number of SBIR/STTR proposals leading to an increase in the number of SBIR/STTR awards. | |
The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) list of FFRDCs that are qualified institutional partners for STTR proposals. | |
The SBIR and STTR solicitations are produced annually in partnership with NASA's Mission Directorates and Centers to focus on the agency's priority mission needs. | |
Although the Navy's SBIR and STTR programs are a component of the overall DoD SBIR/STTR program, the Navy's program is targeted at addressing the needs and areas of interest to the Navy and its System Commands (SYSCOMS). | |
A tutorial on partnering for SBIR/STTR. | |
The SBA policy directive for SBIR and STTR programs. | |
A tutorial on registration and requirements. | |
SBA SBIR/STTR provides complete information on the SBIR and STTR programs from the SBA level. | |
View upcoming SBIR/STTR related events on the SBA.gov website. | |
A link to current SBIR STTR solicitation listings. | |
SAM is required for proposal submissions. | |
Legal Foundations, Legal Notices & Background for SBIR/STTR | |
The Small Business Technology Council Summary of 2017 SBIR/STTR Reauthorization outlines reauthorization of SBIR/STTR in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2017. | |
The authorization Act for the NSF that established the Office of Small Business R&D and initiated the NSF precursor program to the federal-wide SBIR program. | |
The Federal Register announcement of SBA Policy Directive was based on program changes resulting from enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of 2018. The SBA combines the two directives into one document, clarifies the data rights and Phase III preference afforded to SBIR/STTR small business awardees, adds definitions for data rights and clarifies benchmarks for progress towards commercialization. | |
The Policy Directive published in May 2019 that sets the guidelines for agency SBIR/STTR programs. | |
A summary of the changes in the latest SBA SBIR/STTR Policy Directive. | |
The Small Business R&D Enhancement Act of 1992 established the reauthorization of the SBIR program that included program improvements and established STTR as a pilot program. | |
Code of Federal Regulations SBA SBIR and STTR size and eligibility details. See sections 121.701 to 121.705 | |
The 1982 Small Business Innovation Development Act Foundational law established the SBIR program across all agencies in the U.S. government that meet the extramural R&D budget criteria. | |
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1908 was one of the foundational laws established that created the technology development and innovation ecosystem that exists today. | |
The Small Business Technology Council Summary of enhancements to the SBIR/STTR program and contracting for DoD was made in the NDAA of 2018. | |
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Resources | ||
The Department of the Air Force is committed to delivering an effective service to connect industry, academia, and the government by expanding and strengthening their partnerships and leveraging the innovation networks within them. The Air Force Tech Connect is a new product provided by the U.S. Air Force to ensure more external innovations have a transformational impact on the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. The Tech Connect team, comprised of Air Force Research Laboratory personnel, connects quality, relevant ideas, and technologies with U.S. Air Force subject matter experts. The Tech Connect Team will review submitted ideas and inquiries, provide feedback, and establish a dialogue between the submitter and potentially interested U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force programs. | ||
The APEX MOOC are free video and web-based courses are available for anyone to enroll. The MOOC content covers:
And many more topics to help you be successful in the SBIR/STTR program! Review the video to the left for an introduction to the MOOC. | ||
Resources based on the type of entrepreneur they are designed for and the stage of business where the resource will be most useful. | ||
Provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. | ||
FAA Resources | ||
Transportation is constantly evolving, and each step forward yields new opportunities that fundamentally change how people and goods are being transported. A new era of aviation once only portrayed in movies or science fiction is taking off. Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) is an emerging aviation ecosystem that leverages new aircraft and an array of innovative technologies to provide the opportunity for more efficient, more sustainable, and more equitable options for transportation. | ||
Office of the Secretary of Defense | |
AIRC was established to infuse innovation and alternative disciplines from academia to better respond to rapidly changing threats and technological advances. | |
The APEX Accelerators program, formerly known as Procurement Technical Assistance Program (PTAP), under management of the DoD Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP), plays a critical role in the Department’s efforts to identify and helps a wide range of businesses enter and participate in the defense supply-chain. | |
DARPA’s focus is to make pivotal investments in breakthrough technologies for national security. | |
DDS is a highly experienced team of software and data engineers, data scientists, product managers and user research designers with a track record of immediately delivering usable products in record time within the Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office. | |
DIU strengthens national security by accelerating the adoption of commercial technology throughout the military and bolstering our allied and national security innovation bases. | |
Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) | The DMEA OSBP advocates for small businesses that contribute to national security and economic power to our nation in microelectronics. |
General information website on SBIR/STTR as it relates to the DoD. | |
Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD) BAA Information Delivery System (BIDS) | The IWTSD identifies and develops capabilities for DOD and Interagency customers to conduct Irregular Warfare against all adversaries, including Great Power competitors and non-state actors. |
MDA prepares research topics which are relevant to components of the missile defense system (radar and electro-optic sensors, manufacturing, materials development, etc.). | |
NSIC is focused on next-generation hardware technologies for application to connected mobile and edge systems that support distributed operations in land, sea, air, and space domains. | |
NSIN works to bring together defense, academic and entrepreneurial innovators to solve national security problems in new ways. | |
Army | |
AAL tests and refines improved business models that can scale across the Army. | |
DEVCOM is a team of scientists, engineers, analysts, technicians, and support staff who are focused on empowering America’s Soldiers. | |
AFC executes six functions – future operational environment, research, concepts, experimentation, requirements, and integration – with support from industry, academia, and joint and multinational partners. | |
Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) | The RCCTO serves to expedite critical capabilities to the field to meet Combatant Commanders’ needs. |
ARL is the Army’s sole foundational research laboratory focused on cutting-edge scientific discovery, technological innovation, and transitioning capabilities for the future Army. | |
AvMC is the Army’s focal point for providing research, development, engineering technology, and services for aviation purposes and missile systems. | |
The Chemical Biological Center is the primary DoD technical organization for non-medical chemical and biological defense. | |
The C5ISR Center finds solutions and delivers capabilities that span the domain of C5ISR networks and systems regardless of the platform. | |
EAGLEWERX connects people and resources to empower Soldiers to provide novel ideas that solve tactical problems. | |
The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center helps solve our nation’s problems in civil and military engineering, geospatial sciences, water resources, and environmental sciences for the Army, DoD, civilian agencies, and our Nation’s public good. | |
GVSC is the U.S. Armed Forces’ R&D facility for advanced technology in ground systems. | |
The Soldier Center leverages cutting-edge technologies such as AI, quantum effects, autonomy, robotics, advanced energetics, and synthetic biology to give Soldiers the ability to act faster than their adversaries. | |
U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) | USAMRDC is the Army's medical materiel developer, with responsibility for medical research, development, and acquisition. |
USASMDC develops and provides current and future global space, missile defense, and high-altitude capabilities to the Army, joint force, and our allies and partners, to enable multidomain combat effects; enhance deterrence, assurance, and detection of strategic attacks, and protect the nation. | |
Marine Corps | |
MCSC exercises contracting and technical authority for all Marine Corps ground weapon and IT programs. | |
The MWCL/Futures Directorate generates and examines threat-informed, operating concepts and capabilities and provides recommendations to inform subsequent force design and development activities. | |
MIU is a supporting entity to Total Force goals with emphasis on capabilities that transition in a timely manner focused on outcomes. MIU partners with Combat Development & Integration and MCWL to support the SECNAV, Commandant of the Marine Corps, and Major Subordinate Commanders. | |
Navy | |
EMTC partners with government, industry, and academia to develop and transition technology for affordable manufacturing of energetic materials, components, and systems. | |
Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) | NIWC conducts R&D, prototyping, engineering, test and evaluation, installation, and sustainment of integrated information warfare capabilities and services across all warfighting domains with an emphasis on Expeditionary Tactical Capabilities & Enterprise IT and Business Systems to drive innovation. |
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps. | |
NAVSEA engineers, builds, buys, and maintains ships, submarines and combat systems that meet the Fleet's current and future operational requirements. | |
NavalX connects relevant solutions from small businesses, startups, and academia to address the Department of the Navy’s challenges and needs faster. | |
The mission of OSBP is to promote acquisition opportunities where small business can best support the needs of our Sailors and Marines. | |
Contains Department of the Navy-specific SBIR/STTR information. | |
The Office of Naval Research is the catalyst of future naval power, ensuring technological dominance for the fleet and force. ONR finds the best minds and sponsors new research and creates new capabilities for our Sailors and Marines. | |
Air Force | |
APEX is a first-of-its-kind program that aims to enhance partnerships between the Department of the Air Force (DAF) and academia. | |
Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) and AFRL share a partnership intermediary agreement (PIA) to promote innovative problem-solving, R&D, and collaborations. | |
AFWERX brings cutting edge ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address challenges for the DAF. | |
The Secretary of the Air Force/Small Business (SAF/SB) has responsibility for directing, managing, measuring, and overseeing the execution of Small Business Programs for the DAF. | |
The RSO optimizes warfighter readiness by exploiting technologies to revolutionize sustainment operations. | |
AFRL leads the discovery, development, and delivery of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. | |
The Air Force and Space Force Tech Connect website provides access to current, open opportunities, meet-up events, other DAF S&T enterprise connectors, and a way for anyone to share an idea. | |
ARCWERX creates and fosters a culture of innovation in the Air Reserve Command that builds on the unique structure, geographic distribution and talents of individual Guardsmen and Reservists. | |
BESPIN is an Air Force software factory building technology solutions that meets Airmen where they are. | |
CYBERWORX rapidly prototypes solutions to DAF and DoD problems by identifying and focusing on warfighter needs. | |
The DTO is dedicated to addressing the digital needs of the acquisition and sustainment enterprise from a short- and long-term perspective. | |
Kessel Run sustains the existing Air Operations Center baseline while building a scalable software factory to architect, manufacture, and operate Wing and Operational level Command and Control systems to function in contested environments. | |
Tesseract accelerates logistics innovation by empowering Airmen and connecting them to ideas and resources to improve the agile combat support and mission generation capabilities of the USAF. | |
The Under Secretary of Defense 2030 Strategy "Preserving Our Competitive Advantage" | |
U.S. Air Force overview of Phase III of the SBIR/STTR program. | |
Central point for understanding and keeping up with the overall U.S. Air Force SBIR/STTR programs. | |
The USSOCOM eSOF assists the command with conducting market research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10.001, to arrive at the most suitable approach to acquiring and distributing. | |
Space Force | |
The Space RCO develops and delivers dominant space capabilities in response to the Commander, US Space Command requirements. | |
SpaceWERX inspires and empowers collaboration with innovators to accelerate capabilities and shape our future in space. | |
Cyber Command | |
CFIC is a DEFENSEWERX Innovation Hub in partnership with the U.S. Army Cyber Command via an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement. | |
Special Operations Command | |
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) eSOF assists the Command with conducting market research, to find the best approach to acquiring, distributing, and supporting SOF-peculiar supplies and services. | |
The Science and Technology Directorate seeks to discover, enable, and transition technologies to provide an asymmetric advantage for special operations forces. | |
Transportation Command | |
The RDT&E program explores innovative technologies that address Distribution Process Owner (DPO) and Defense Transportation System (DTS) capability gaps. | |
Defense Logistics Agency | |
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Office of Small Business Programs (OSBP) | The DLA OSBP provides training and guidance to maximize opportunities for small businesses to participate in DLA's acquisition program, both as prime contractors and subcontractors. |
Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Procurement Technical Assistance Program | The DLA Procurement Technical Assistance Program was established to expand the number of businesses capable of participating in government contracts. |
National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency | |
NGA delivers geospatial intelligence that provides an advantage to policymakers, service members, intelligence professionals, and first responders. | |
National Security Agency/Central Security Service | |
The NSA/CSS leads the U.S. Government in cryptology that encompasses both signals intelligence (SIGINT) insights and cybersecurity products and services and enables computer network operations to gain an advantage for the nation and our allies. | |
At the CCC, NSA establishes collaborations to prevent, detect, and defeat cyber adversaries targeting our nation’s most sensitive networks. | |