Points of Interest

BRTRC developed a Web-based Topic Review system for the Department of Defense (DoD) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The system manages the development, submission, and review of Research and Development topics for the SBIR/STTR program solicitations. Government agency users have the ability to upload and download documents; add, review, modify, and delete topics through the use of a standard Web form; search with criteria options; and generate statistics and reports. Topics are submitted and reviewed by Defense Key Technology Areas against established topic review criteria. The system guides users through a 7-stage topic review process, which automatically manages user access levels (add/edit vs. view only) based on user type and topic review stage, provides materials for the Independent Review Team arbitration meetings, and prepares defense agency-level topic sections, including instructions, for each SBIR and STTR solicitation. The system handles over 1,000 topics submitted each year and improves efficiency of the review process by providing access to critical information through a secure Web-based application, distributing work using a collaboration environment, eliminating manual consolidation and reconciliation of information, and providing a structured and balanced review to identify unmet requirements and manage shortfalls.