Partner with the Army to Take Your Technology to Market with the DoD 

The Army SBIR CATALYST Program is an initiative that aims to partner the US Army AND Army OEM / Integrators with Small Businesses to speed up the transition of innovative technologies into Army Programs of Record.   

This program is designed to help small businesses collaborate with the Army and their integrators on innovative solutions to address focus areas identified by Army Headquarters. Awardees also receive funding and guidance to develop and test your products at a PEO sponsored demonstration. The Army CATALYST program is a great opportunity to showcase your capabilities, expand your network, and contribute to the nation’s defense. 

How is the Army SBIR CATALYST Program Different than a SBIR Phase I or Phase II?  

Unlike the traditional Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I or Phase II awards, which focuses on funding research projects that have a potential for commercialization, the program focuses on funding technology solutions that have a clear path to transition into Army Programs of Record.  Small businesses need to bring their Army transition partner and Army OEM / Integrator to the table with letters showing their support for the technology and their intent to provide matching funding.  

The ASCP also offers more flexibility and agility than the SBIR program traditional Phase I & Phase II award, as it allows for: 

• Faster contracting 
• Shorter timelines 
• More collaboration between the Army and the technology providers. 

How Much is Typically Awarded 

The contract structure offers up to five small businesses multiphase funding opportunities starting in FY24.  

These awards include any combination of: 

• Phase II ($15 million) 

• Direct to Phase II ($15 million) 
• Sequential Phase II ($15 million) 
• Phase II Enhancement ($14 million) awards. 

Phase II, Direct to Phase II and Sequential Phase II contracts will include $1 million in SBIR funding each during the base award period.  

The True Value of Army SBIR CATALYST 

Businesses can leverage Army SBIR CATALYST enhancement funds following the initial award — or the matching investment for Sequential Phase II Enhancement selects—for their Phase II projects worth up to $7 million in SBIR capital if the business can bring $3.5 million in integrator matching funds AND up to $3.5 million from their Army transition partners. It’s important to get the full matching funds from both the integrator and Army partner because the Army SBIR office will only match up to the lowest amount of matching funds provided. 

This 2:1:1 funding ratio provides small businesses with a potential $15 million investment. 

There are different requirements depending on the award option you pursue.  

The Direct to Phase II award option announced this year opens the Army SBIR CATALYST eligibility requirements to any SBIR eligible small business, provided you performed the Phase I research through other funding sources.  

The Phase II award requires a prior SBIR/STTR Phase I award.  

The Phase II Sequential and Phase II Enhancement CATALYST awards both require a base Phase II SBIR/STTR awarded by any government organization executed no earlier than FY20.  

You must have an Army Transition Partner willing to sponsor you and they must request the Army SBIR CATALYST RFP on your behalf. 

Your technology must fit into at least one of the six SBIR CATALYST Program’s technical areas of focus: 

• Sensors 
• Climate and Clean Tech 
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning 
• Autonomy 
• Contested Logistics and Sustainment 
• Immersive and Wearables 

Wondering how the Army determines which projects to award and increase your chances of success?  

You will need to provide a strong narrative justifying how and why your technology meets all the criteria below. You need to prove to the Army why your project should be one of the five awards in FY24. 

• Evaluation Criteria: 
• Commercialization (25%) 
• Transition Potential (25%) 
• Technical Feasibility/Risk (25%) 
• Firm Ability (15%)
  Alignment with HQDA priorities and National Defense Strategy (10%) 

Interested in Learning More? 

Contact us today!