NASA Selects 9 Small Business Technology Transfer Projects

NASA has selected nine proposals for negotiation of Phase 2 contract awards in the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. The selected projects have a total value of approximately $5.4 million. The contracts will be awarded to nine high-tech firms partnered with nine universities in 12 states.

The STTR program is a highly competitive, three-phase award system. It provides qualified small businesses -- including women-owned and disadvantaged firms -- with opportunities to propose innovative ideas that meet specific research and development needs of the federal government. In addition, the STTR program requires a collaborative research effort between small business and research institutions, NASA says.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) manages the STTR program for the federal government. NASA is one of the federal agencies required by the STTR program to reserve a portion of its research and development funds for awards to small business and works closely with SBA to ensure compliance with federal regulations, NASA says.

NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program (IPP) manages the STTR program as part of its focus on emerging technologies and efforts to advance technological innovation for NASA purposes. NASA also partners with U.S. industry to introduce pioneering technologies into NASA missions and transition them into commercially available products and services.

As an investment opportunity, STTR innovations address specific technology gaps in agency mission programs, provide a foundation for future technology needs, and are complementary to other NASA research investments.

Participating firms and research institutions submitted 25 Phase 2 proposals. The criteria used to select the winning proposals included technical merit and innovation, Phase 1 results, value to NASA, commercial potential, and company capabilities, NASA says.

Phase 1 was feasibility study to evaluate the scientific and technical merit of an idea. Awards are for up to twelve months in amounts up to $100,000. Phase 2 expands on the results of the development in Phase 1. Awards are for up to two years in amounts up to $600,000. Phase 3 is for the commercialization of the results of Phase 2 and requires the use of private sector or non-STTR federal funding. These NASA awards are for the second-phase in this competitive process.
Some examples of STTR technologies being pursued in current selected proposals include:

• New photovoltaic power systems capable of operating in harsh environments with high temperature and extreme radiation exposures. These systems use materials developed for short optical wavelength and high radio frequency power applications. The new systems could be used in power systems for exploratory spacecraft.
• Optically-based sensors for making temperature and other complex measurements in propulsion systems in ground and flight test environments. The sensors could be used in both new and retrofit commercial aircraft as control sensors for propulsion systems.

NASA's STTR program is managed at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif., with executive oversight from NASA headquarters in Washington. Individual projects are managed by NASA's field centers.

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Help For Your Business In Bad Economic Times

We hear everyday that a serious recession is coming -- if we aren't already there, yet.

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NASA Selects 120 Small Business Innovation Research Projects

NASA has selected 120 proposals for negotiation of Phase 2 contract awards in the Small Business Innovation Research program, known as SBIR. The selected projects have a total value of approximately $72 million. NASA will award the contracts to 102 small high technology firms in 27 states.

NASA's Innovative Partnerships Program - with offices at NASA headquarters in Washington and all of the agency's field centers - collaborates with U.S. industry to develop pioneering technologies, infuse them into agency missions and transition them into commercially available
products and services.

The SBIR program supports NASA's mission directorates by working with them to competitively select ventures that address critical research and technology needs for agency programs and projects. The effort addresses specific technology gaps in mission programs and strives to complement other agency research investments. Program results have benefited NASA efforts, including modern air traffic control systems, Earth observing spacecraft, the space shuttle, the International Space Station and rovers on Mars.

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Association Offers Last-Minute Tax Tips for Self-Employed

It's April, and U.S. tax day is right around the corner but small-business owners submitting their 2006 tax returns are in luck -- everyone gets two extra days to submit their forms because April 15 falls on a weekend and April 16, Emancipation Day, is a holiday in Washington, D.C.

Those two extra days provide valuabletime for entrepreneurs rushing to file. "Don't be tempted to take shortcuts or make up numbers that you thinkyou won't have time to calculate correctly because that will increase yourchances of making a math mistake," says Keith Hall, national tax adviser for the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE). "It's important to remember that you're not alone since there are a number of resources out there to help micro-business owners, even for those last minute filers."

For those micro-business owners who find themselves running out oftime, the NASE offers these tips to help filers waiting until the April17 deadline:

• Check for hidden deductions: There are a number of deductions that small business owners and the self-employed forget when filing taxes. If you work out of your home, your office may qualify for a deduction. Do you drive to the post office or a client site? Those miles may add up to a sizable deduction too.


• Retirement Savings: Retirement savings are deductible for last year's tax return up until April 17 of this year. That means you can count money deposited into retirement savings in 2007, up until the day you file, on your 2006 tax return.


• Filing Date: If, despite all your rushing around, you still can't make the April deadline, relax. All tax filers can get an automatic 6-month extension by filing Form 4868 by April 17, which you can download from the IRS Web site. However, an extension of time to file is not an extension to pay. If you do not send the IRS what you think you owe in taxes by April 17, you'll be subject to late fees and interest.


• Check your math: Most of the mistakes on tax returns are simple addition and subtraction errors. Check your math. Then, check your math again.


• Start thinking about next year: While small business owners may be tempted to finish their return and not think about taxes again until next year, now is a great time to reflect on how to reduce your 2007 tax liability. Consider deductions for a home office or employing your children; create a medical reimbursement plan, which would enable the business to reimburse the employee for all out of pocket medical expenses; reconsider the tax implications of incorporating your business; and research retirement plans designed specifically for the self-employed, including an IRA, SIMPLE, SEP, Single 401(k), and Keogh plan.


• Look for help: Sole proprietors doing their own taxes can find help from a number of sources, including Schedule C from A to Z, a line-by-line guide for completing the tax form Schedule C, available online.

Additionally the IRS offers a toll- free help line, 1-800-829-1040, which offers assistance to small businesses.


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