Innovation Challenges in the Air Force SBIR Program: From the Small Businesses' Perspective

Authors

Hart J. Holt, Air Force Security and CooperationFollow
Amy M. Cox, Air Force Institute of TechnologyFollow
Scott Drylie, USAFFollow
David S. Long, Air Force Institute of TechnologyFollow
Alfred E. Thal Jr., Air Force Institute of TechnologyFollow
Robert D. Fass, Air Force Institute of TechnologyFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2024

Abstract

Every year the United States invests $3.2 billion in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program to promote innovation among the nation’s small businesses. Half of this investment is from the DoD. This research considers the challenges faced by small businesses innovating with the DoD, particularly those awarded SBIR contracts with the United States Air Force. The authors surveyed 286 unique small businesses that were previously awarded an Air Force SBIR contract. By asking the survey respondents open-ended questions and categorizing their responses, they pinpoint unaddressed challenges from the small business perspective. By categorizing survey responses through Qualitative Content Analysis, they further identify five categories of challenges: Solver- Seeker Disconnect, Funding, Engagement, Processes, and Seeker Education. With this new insight, the authors seek to inform SBIR policies and improve the program’s effectiveness.

Comments

Defense ARJ is published by the Defense Acquisition University. The journal's online version is hosted at https://www.dau.edu/library/darj

DOI

10.22594/dau.24-916.31.02

Source Publication

Defense Acquisition Research Journal

Recommended Citation

Holt, H. J., Cox, A. M., Drylie, S. T., Long, D. S. Thal, A. E., & Fass, R. D. (2024) Innovation Challenges in the Air Force SBIR Program: From the Small Businesses' Perspective. Defense Acquisition Research Journal, 31(107), 125-156. https://doi.org/10.22594/dau.24-916.31.02