The Department of War is advancing a redesigned Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer initiative following the reauthorization of the programs under the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act.
DOW Chief Information Officer Kirsten Davies, a 2026 Wash100 honoree, is scheduled to deliver a keynote speech at the 2026 Digital Transformation Summit this Wednesday, April 22. Register now to hear Davies and other government leaders discuss emerging technologies and efforts to drive defense modernization.
DOW said Monday the effort aims to speed up the delivery of advanced capabilities to warfighters while strengthening the defense innovation base through small business participation.
“The reauthorization of SBIR and STTR will allow the War Department to quickly align its innovation investments directly with our most urgent warfighting needs,” said Emil Michael, under secretary for research and engineering at DOW.
“We are supercharging American small businesses to become a critical part of our national defense. They will ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive battlefield advantage for years to come,” added Michael, a 2026 Wash100 awardee.
Table of Contents
What Opportunities Are Available to Small Businesses?
DOW released multiple SBIR/STTR solicitations immediately following the reauthorization, with more than 90 topics open to industry. The department is directing small businesses to the DOW SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal for information on those solicitations and proposal timelines.
What Is the ART Program?
The DOW Office for Small Business Innovation has established the Accelerated Research for Transition program, known as ART, to facilitate the transition of high-performing Phase II SBIR/STTR efforts into scalable Phase III outcomes with increased speed, accountability and alignment to operational demand signals.
The ART program provides additional non-dilutive capital investment and offers multiple pathways to transition capabilities from development to production, operation and sustainment.
How Will the Relaunched SBIR/STTR Enterprise Operate?
DOW has redesigned the SBIR/STTR program to deliver across three innovation outcomes: differentiated technology, scalable products and operational capability innovation. The department plans to leverage the expertise of U.S. small businesses and academic institutions to deliver technology to the warfighter and expand the defense industrial base through commercialization efforts, while continuing coordination with the Small Business Administration.
“Reauthorization of the SBIR/STTR program ensures we can continue delivering critical technologies to the warfighter, responsibly invest taxpayer dollars, and empower U.S. small businesses to drive innovation that strengthens our national security,” said Gina Sims, director of the DOW Office for Small Business Innovation.
Related Articles
The General Services Administration has appointed Laura Stanton, deputy commissioner of Federal Acquisition Service, as acting FAS commissioner following the departure of Josh Gruenbaum, a previous Wash100 awardee, Federal News Network reported Friday. As leadership shifts at FAS, attention remains on how civilian agencies will continue advancing procurement priorities and modernization efforts. These evolving priorities—from AI adoption and cloud infrastructure to cybersecurity, workforce enablement and enterprisewide programs—will be in focus at the 2026 FedCiv Summit. Save your seat now! In an email obtained by FNN, GSA Administrator Ed Forst said Stanton will serve in the role on an interim basis
The U.S. Space Force plans to establish a Cislunar Coordination Office, an acquisition task force that will coordinate technology development and planning for cislunar operations, Breaking Defense reported Monday. The 2026 Air and Space Summit, presented by Potomac Officers Club, will be held on July 30. The GovCon event will welcome Air Force and Space Force leaders, as well as industry executives, to discuss advanced technologies and strategies shaping the future of air and space operations. Secure your spot today. What Is the Purpose of the Cislunar Coordination Office? The new office will focus on organizing efforts across government agencies involved
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Philadelphia Division, has begun testing artificial intelligence and machine learning models to determine whether they can identify early indicators of degradation in submarine air compressors before failure occurs. Don’t miss the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Digital Transformation Summit tomorrow, April 22. Register now to hear high-level discussions on secure AI adoption. Engineers at NSWCPD are evaluating an experimental model that analyzes vibration data from high-pressure air compressors, which support critical submarine functions, Naval Sea Systems Command said Friday, noting that the goal is not only to detect faults but also to assess their progression and estimate