Regulation

15 U.S.C 638(b)

(b) Assistance to small-business concernsIt shall be the duty of the Administration, and it is empowered—

(1)

to assist small-business concerns to obtain Government contracts for research and development;

(2)

to assist small-business concerns to obtain the benefits of research and development performed under Government contracts or at Government expense;

(3)

to provide technical assistance to small-business concerns to accomplish the purposes of this section; and [1]

(4)

to develop and maintain a source file and an information program to assure each qualified and interested small business concern the opportunity to participate in Federal agencysmall business innovation research programs and small business technology transfer programs;

(5)

to coordinate with participating agencies a schedule for release of SBIR and STTR solicitations, and to prepare a master release schedule so as to maximize small businesses’ opportunities to respond to solicitations;

(6)

to independently survey and monitor the operation of SBIR and STTR programs within participating Federal agencies;

(7) to report not less than annually to the Committee on Small Business of the Senate, and to the Committee on Science and the Committee on Small Business of the House of Representatives, on the SBIR and STTR programs of the Federal agencies and the Administration’s information and monitoring efforts related to the SBIR and STTR programs, including—

(A)

the data on output and outcomes collected pursuant to subsections (g)(8) and (o)(9);

(B)

the number of proposals received from, and the number and total amount of awards to, HUBZone small business concerns and firms with venture capital, hedge fund, or private equity firm investment (including those majority-owned by multiple venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms) under each of the SBIR and STTR programs;

(C)

a description of the extent to which each Federal agency is increasing outreach and awards to firms owned and controlled by women or by socially or economically disadvantaged individuals under each of the SBIR and STTR programs;

(D)

general information about the implementation of, and compliance with the allocation of funds required under, subsection (dd) for firms owned in majority part by venture capital operating companies, hedge funds, or private equity firms and participating in the SBIR program;

(E)

a detailed description of appeals of Phase III awards and notices of noncompliance with the SBIR Policy Directive and the STTR Policy Directive filed by the Administrator with Federal agencies;

(F)

an accounting of funds, initiatives, and outcomes under the Commercialization Readiness Program; and

(G)

a description of the extent to which Federal agencies are providing in a timely manner information needed to maintain the database described in subsection (k);