Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act | ChamberLight
Bills · S 1660
IN COMMITTEE· 119TH CONGRESS
Senate BillS 1660Commerce
Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act
INTRO MAY 7· LAST ACTION MAY 7
READING
10MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed Senate
Passed House
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
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Voters should care about this bill because it aims to speed up the process of turning groundbreaking scientific research into practical products and services that can benefit society and the economy. If this bill becomes law, more federally funded innovations, from new medicines to advanced technologies, could move out of the lab and into the market more quickly. This means quicker access to new solutions for everyday problems, potential job creation from successful small businesses, and a stronger competitive edge for the U.S. in technology development.
Without this bill, the current system might be slower at getting innovations to market, potentially leaving valuable research stuck in early stages. It ensures that taxpayer money invested in R&D is not just for scientific discovery but also for tangible economic and societal impact. It addresses a common challenge in innovation: the "valley of death" where promising research fails to cross the gap to commercial viability. By adding commercialization focus, expertise, and support, the bill tries to bridge that gap.
KEY PROVISIONS
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PROVISION 01
Requires federal agencies to include the likelihood of commercialization and a reviewer with commercialization expertise when peer-reviewing SBIR/STTR grant applications.
Ensures that promising technologies not only have scientific merit but also a clear path to market, potentially increasing the number of successful products reaching consumers.
PROVISION 02
Extends the "phase flexibility" authority for federal agencies (allowing more flexible grant awards) for three additional fiscal years (2025-2027) and allows all agencies with SBIR/STTR programs to use it, rather than just a few.
Provides agencies with more tools to support innovative projects that may not fit traditional grant structures, potentially accelerating development for certain technologies.
PROVISION 03
Mandates that each federal agency with an SBIR/STTR program designate a "Technology Commercialization Official" to guide awardees, advocate for promising technologies, and report on commercialization progress.
Creates a dedicated role within agencies to actively support small businesses in transitioning their research into commercially viable products.
PROVISION 04
Increases the flexibility and scope of Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) funding for SBIR/STTR awardees, allowing them more choice in providers, adding cybersecurity assistance, and permitting the use of funds for staff training or hiring.
Provides small businesses with more direct and adaptable support to overcome commercialization hurdles, including critical areas like cybersecurity and staffing needs.
PROVISION 05
Shortens a specific timeframe related to the SBIR and STTR programs from 1 year to 180 days in certain instances.
Could potentially speed up certain administrative or decision-making processes within the SBIR/STTR programs.
Voters should care about this bill because it aims to speed up the process of turning groundbreaking scientific research into practical products and services that can benefit society and the economy. If this bill becomes law, more federally funded innovations, from new medicines to advanced technologies, could move out of the lab and into the market more quickly. This means quicker access to new solutions for everyday problems, potential job creation from successful small businesses, and a stronger competitive edge for the U.S. in technology development.
Without this bill, the current system might be slower at getting innovations to market, potentially leaving valuable research stuck in early stages. It ensures that taxpayer money invested in R&D is not just for scientific discovery but also for tangible economic and societal impact. It addresses a common challenge in innovation: the "valley of death" where promising research fails to cross the gap to commercial viability. By adding commercialization focus, expertise, and support, the bill tries to bridge that gap.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Requires federal agencies to include the likelihood of commercialization and a reviewer with commercialization expertise when peer-reviewing SBIR/STTR grant applications.
Ensures that promising technologies not only have scientific merit but also a clear path to market, potentially increasing the number of successful products reaching consumers.
med
Extends the "phase flexibility" authority for federal agencies (allowing more flexible grant awards) for three additional fiscal years (2025-2027) and allows all agencies with SBIR/STTR programs to use it, rather than just a few.
Provides agencies with more tools to support innovative projects that may not fit traditional grant structures, potentially accelerating development for certain technologies.
high
Mandates that each federal agency with an SBIR/STTR program designate a "Technology Commercialization Official" to guide awardees, advocate for promising technologies, and report on commercialization progress.
Creates a dedicated role within agencies to actively support small businesses in transitioning their research into commercially viable products.
high
Increases the flexibility and scope of Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) funding for SBIR/STTR awardees, allowing them more choice in providers, adding cybersecurity assistance, and permitting the use of funds for staff training or hiring.
Provides small businesses with more direct and adaptable support to overcome commercialization hurdles, including critical areas like cybersecurity and staffing needs.
low
Shortens a specific timeframe related to the SBIR and STTR programs from 1 year to 180 days in certain instances.
Could potentially speed up certain administrative or decision-making processes within the SBIR/STTR programs.
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act
Administrator of the Small Business Administration to provide a briefing to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives regarding the updated "phase flexibility" authority.
GLOSSARY
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SBIR program (Small Business Innovation Research)
A government program that provides funding to small businesses for research and development with the potential for commercialization.
STTR program (Small Business Technology Transfer)
A government program similar to SBIR, but it requires the small business to formally collaborate with a non-profit research institution, like a university.
Commercialization
The process of bringing new products or services developed from research and development into the market for sale and profit.
Peer Review
A process where a group of experts in a field evaluates the quality and merit of a grant application, research proposal, or scientific paper.
Phase I / Phase II / Phase III awards
Stages of funding in SBIR/STTR programs. Phase I is for feasibility and concept development, Phase II is for full-scale R&D, and Phase III is for commercialization using private or non-SBIR/STTR federal funds.
Technical and Business Assistance (TABA)
Services provided to small businesses receiving SBIR/STTR awards to help them with business planning, marketing, intellectual property protection, and other aspects of commercialization.
ACTION TIMELINE
2 EVENTS
MAY 7, 25
Introduced in Senate
INTROREFERRAL
MAY 7, 25
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
