The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently opened the Fiscal Year 2020 Phase I Solicitation for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grants.
USDOT is one of 11 federal agencies that participates in the SBIR program. The program awards contracts to small businesses to participate in federal research and development for products that have the potential for commercialization.
Contracts are awarded in two phases, with the option for a third phase leading to commercialization.
USDOT awards contracts to companies that research and develop innovative solutions to transportation problems and whose products and applications have the potential to be sold to USDOT, other federal agencies, state departments of transportation, or the private sector.
This phase of solicitations is open to 12 research topics that address challenges such as materials, infrastructure, and safety. The focus is on applying innovation and technology to the National Highway Safety and Traffic Administration, the Federal Highway Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
The solicitation closes March 9.
The USDOT SBIR program has invested $50 million in qualified small businesses over the past five years.
Participating businesses have developed numerous new and innovative technologies that have benefited the department and the public, USDOT said.