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Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs Phase I Solicitation FY-2003 (SBIR/STTR)

Program Solicitation
NSF 03-535
Replaces Document NSF 02-056

		National Science Foundation Directorate for Engineering       Division of Design, Manufacture, and Industrial Innovation

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

June 12, 2003
Topics: Electronics (EL) and Information-Based Technologies (IT). Proposals must not be submitted before May 12, 2003.

January 20, 2004
Topics: Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Chemical Processes (AM) and Biotechnology (BT). Proposals must not be submitted before December 20, 2003.

Summary Of Program Requirements

General Information

Program Title:

Synopsis of Program:

Cognizant Program Officer(s):

• Cheryl F. Albus, Program Manager - Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Chemical Processes, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 510 N, telephone: (703) 292-7051, fax: (703) 292-9057, email: calbus@nsf.gov

• Juan E. Figueroa, Program Manager - Information-Based Technologies, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 550 S, telephone: (703) 292-7054, fax: (703) 292-9057, email: jfiguero@nsf.gov

• Joseph E. Hennessey, Program Manager -- Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Chemical Processes, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 550 S, telephone: (703) 292-7069, fax: (703) 292-9057, email: jhenness@nsf.gov

• Sara B. Nerlove, Program Manager - Information-Based Technologies, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-7077, fax: (703) 292-9057, email: snerlove@nsf.gov

• T. James Rudd, Program Manager - Electronics, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 570 S, telephone: (703) 292-4759, fax: (703) 292-9056, email: tjrudd@nsf.gov

• Om P. Sahai, Program Manager - Biotechnology, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-7795, fax: (703) 292-9056, email: osahai@nsf.gov

• Winslow Sargeant, Program Manager - Electronics, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-8330, fax: (703) 292-9056, email: wsargean@nsf.gov

• Rosemarie D. Wesson, Program Manager - Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Chemical Processes, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-8330, email: rwesson@nsf.gov

Applicable Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) Number(s):

• 47.041 --- Engineering

Eligibility Information

• Organization Limit: Only companies meeting the definition of a small business may submit proposals. See definition http://www.eng.nsf.gov/sbirspecs/Definitions/definitions.htm#sbc/. For a SBIR Proposal, a minimum of two-thirds of the research, as measured by the budget, must be performed by the small business concern and the balance may be out-sourced to a consultant or subcontract or a combination of the two. For a STTR Proposal, a minimum 40% of the research, as measured by the budget, must be performed by the small business concern and a minimum of 30% of the research, as measured by the budget, must be performed by the research institution. 
• PI Eligibility Limit: Primary employment must be with the small business concern at the time of an award. (See definition http://www.eng.nsf.gov/sbirspecs/Definitions/definitions.htm#PI.) PI must spend a minimum of 1-calendar month on a SBIR Phase I project and a minimum of 2-calendar months on a STTR Phase I project. Employment releases and certifications of intent shall be required prior to award. 
• Limit on Number of Proposals: 4. (Only 4 Phase I proposals per company per solicitation including parent company, spin-offs, and any subsidiaries).

Award Information

• Anticipated Type of Award: Other - Fixed Price Grant
• Estimated Number of Awards: 300 - awards of which approximately 25 will be STTR awards (pending availability of funds). Proposals received in June will have January 1 start dates. Proposals received in January will have July 1 start dates.
• Anticipated Funding Amount: $32,500,000 with approximately $30 million for SBIR Phase I and approximately $2.5 million for STTR.

Proposal Preparation and Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

• Full Proposal Preparation Instructions: This solicitation contains information that deviates from the standard Grant Proposal Guide (GPG) proposal preparation guidelines. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

B. Budgetary Information

• Cost Sharing Requirements: Cost Sharing is not required.
• Indirect Cost (F&A) Limitations: Not Applicable.
• Other Budgetary Limitations: Other budgetary limitations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

C. Due Dates

• Full Proposal Deadline Date(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):
  
  June 12, 2003
  Topics: Electronics (EL) and Information-Based Technologies (IT). Proposals must not be submitted before May 12, 2003.
  January 20, 2004
  Topics: Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Chemical Processes (AM) and Biotechnology (BT). Proposals must not be submitted before December 20, 2003.

Proposal Review Information

• Merit Review Criteria: National Science Board approved criteria. Additional merit review considerations apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.

Award Administration Information

• Award Conditions: Additional award conditions apply. Please see the full text of this solicitation for further information.
• Reporting Requirements: Standard NSF reporting requirements apply.

I. Introduction

II. Program Description

III. Eligibility Information

IV. Award Information

V. Proposal Preparation And Submission Instructions

A. Proposal Preparation Instructions

Full Proposal Instructions:

Proposals submitted in response to this program announcement/solicitation should be prepared and submitted in accordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Grant Proposal Guide (GPG). The complete text of the GPG is available electronically on the NSF Website at: https://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gpg. Paper copies of the GPG may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (301) 947-2722 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

A.1. Responsiveness to NSF Topics. Designate one, and only one, of the topics, keeping in mind that a firm cannot submit more than 4 proposals per solicitation (which includes the parent company and any subsidiaries). The topic name and the appropriate subtopic letter, MUST be identified on the cover sheet. A firm may submit separate proposals on different topics or different proposals on the same topic under this Solicitation. Proposals found to be non-responsive to the solicitation topics will be returned to the proposer without further consideration.

A.2. Phase I Proposal Objectives. A Phase I proposal must describe the research effort needed to investigate the feasibility of the proposed scientific or technical innovation. The objective of the Phase I effort is to determine whether the innovation has sufficient technical merit for proceeding into a Phase II project.

A.3. Phase I Project Requirements. The deliverable at the end of an SBIR/STTR Phase I grant is a technical report that summarizes the experimental and theoretical accomplishments vs. the proposed research. This report serves as the basis for a Phase II proposal.

A.4. Administrative Screening. All proposals that fail to address the following items will be considered "non-responsive" and will be returned without review.

• A proposal submitted after 5:00 p.m. (proposer's local time) on the deadline date.     
• A Project Summary without all required information (reference section A.7.2).     
• A Project Description that exceeds 15 pages and does not have all eight parts (reference section A.7.3).     
• A Company Commercialization History if the company has certified that they have received previous Phase II awards (reference Certification Question on the cover sheet).     
• A proposal that has documents in the "Additional Single Copy Documents" module in FastLane.

A.5. Marking Proprietary Information. To the extent permitted by law, the Government will not release "properly" identified and "marked" technical data. Clearly identify technical data by marking the information and then providing a legend. An entire proposal cannot be "marked" proprietary.

A.6. General Requirements

A.6.1 Page Limitation. A Phase I SBIR/STTR proposal has page limitations based on the following:

Project Description - this section shall not exceed 15 pages (contains Parts 1-8, including letters of support). Samples, videotapes, slides, or other ancillary items will not be accepted. Websites containing demonstrations, etc. may be cited in the proposal but reviewers are not required to access them.

A.6.2 Type Size and Spacing. The minimum font size shall be 10 point. The margins shall be a minimum of 2.54.cm (1 inch). Proposals prepared with smaller font sizes will be rejected and returned without further consideration. Multiple column formats are not accepted.

A.7. Required Format.

The required format of a Phase I proposal is described in the following paragraphs.Each proposal submitted to the NSF SBIR/STTR program must contain the following sections which correspond with the FastLane Forms.

The Following FastLane Forms will be used:

Cover Sheet

Project Summary

Table of Contents (automatically generated)

Project Description

References Cited

Biographical Sketches

Budgets (also required for each subaward(s))

Current and Pending Support

Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources

Supplementary Docs (includes the Company Commercialization History and (if applicable) Cooperative Research Agreement (for STTR proposals)

List of Suggested Reviewers

A.7.1. Cover Sheet and Certification. The topic and subtopic fields must be completed on the cover sheet. All proposals must be electronically signed. For information regarding Electronic Signature reference the FastLane Home Page (http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov).

A.7.2. Project Summary. The Project Summary should be written in the third person and shall begin as follows: "This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project...." or "This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I project...". The summary must have the following components:

1. a summary limited to 200 words addressing the Intellectual Merits of the proposed activity. No proprietary information should be included in the summary. Include a brief identification of the problem or opportunity, the research objectives, a description of the research, and the anticipated results, and potential applications of the research.

2. a summary limited to 200 words addressing the Broader Impacts of the proposed activity. Include information on how the innovation will enhance scientific and technological understanding. Describe the potential societal and commercial impact of the project.

3. a listing of "Key" words. The key words/phrases should identify the areas of technical expertise in science, engineering, or education which are to be invoked in reviewing the proposal; and the areas of application that are the (initial) target of the technology.

4. the topic name and subtopic, for example AM/A.2

An edited version of the Project Summary will be available to the public if a proposal is awarded.

A.7.3 Project Description (Cannot exceed 15 pages). The project description shall contain the following parts in the following order.

Part 1: Identification and Significance of the Innovation.
The first paragraph shall contain (1) a clear and succinct statement of the specific innovation research proposed and (2) a brief explanation of how the innovation is relevant to meeting the need described in the subtopic narrative.

Part 2: Background and Phase I Technical Objectives. List and explain the key objectives to be accomplished in the course of the Phase I research, including the questions that must be answered to determine the technical and commercial feasibility of the proposed concept. It is important to show how the potential customer needs will be met if the research is successful. Therefore, Phase I proposers are strongly encouraged to consider commercial potential of their research at the same depth as the research problems.

Part 3: Phase I Research Plan. This section must provide a detailed description of the Phase I research approach. The description should include the following:

• A technical discussion of the proposed concept.     
• What is planned and how the research will be carried out.     
• The plan to achieve each objective.     
• The sequence of experiments, tests, and computations involved in the measurement of those objectives.

Part 4. Company Information.

This section must briefly describe:

• The origin of the company.     
• The company's mission and objectives.     
• The company's vision and plan to grow/maintain a sustainable business.     
• The present size of the company, which includes:
  • Annual revenues.     
  • Number and types of employees (administrative, management, technical, manufacturing and/or marketing personnel).     
  • The anticipated impact of the proposed innovation on the company.

Part 5. Commercial Potential.

This section must provide information on the commercial potential of the proposed innovation and should address the following:

• The Market, Customer and Competition - describe the market and/or market segments you will be targeting and provide a brief profile of the potential customer. Briefly, describe the advantages your innovation will bring to the market (for example: better performance; lower cost; faster, more efficient or effective, new capability).     
• Intellectual Property (IP) - describe how you are going to protect the IP that results from your innovation.     
• Financing - describe how you plan to finance (other than SBIR funds) to bring your innovation to market.

A useful reference for addressing the commercial potential is the Commercialization Plan found at: http://www.eng.nsf.gov/sbirspecs/Phase_II/phase_ii.htm#complan

Part 6. Consultants and Subawards/Subcontracts. Keep in mind that a SBIR Phase I project, requires a minimum of two-thirds of the research, as measured by the budget, to be performed by the small business concern. The STTR Phase I project, requires a minimum of 40% of the research, as measured by the budget, be performed by the small business concern and a minimum of 30% of the research, as measured by the budget, by the research institution, the remaining percentage can be allocated as appropriate to achieve the objectives of the project.

Consultant: The services of each consultant must be justified within the context of the proposal. Information must be provided on each consultant's expertise, organizational affiliation, and their contribution to the project. In addition, each consultant must provide a signed statement, whether paid or unpaid, that confirms availability, time commitment, role in the project, and the agreed consulting rate (not to exceed the NSF daily maximum rate established annually).The NSF maximum consultant rate per day is $513 per day an is exclusive of any indirect costs, travel, per diem, clerical services, fringe benefits, and supplies.

The signed consultant statements must be a part of the proposal. The consultant statements MUST be scanned into the proposal and placed under Part 6.

Subaward (also known as subcontract): If subawards (including contracts, subcontracts and other arrangements) are used for research, describe the tasks to be performed and how these are related to the overall project. No significant part of the research or substantive effort under a NSF grant may be contracted or otherwise transferred to another organization without prior NSF authorization (this excludes the procurement of items such as commercially available supplies, materials, equipment or general support services allowable under the grant). The intent to enter into such arrangements should be disclosed in the proposal.

Each subaward shall use a proposal budget, providing details of subaward costs by cost category. Each subawardee budget must be prepared in FastLane.

Purchases of analytical or other routine services from commercial sources and the acquisition of fabricated components from commercial sources are not regarded as reportable subaward activity. Such items -- routine analytical or other routine services -- should be reported in the Budget under Other Direct Costs/Other. All research, including subawards and consultancies, must be carried out in the U.S. (See definition of Place of Performance http://www.eng.nsf.gov/sbirspecs/Definitions/definitions.htm#place.)

Part 7. Equivalent or Overlapping Proposals to other Federal Agencies. A firm may elect to submit proposals for essentially equivalent or overlapping work under other Federal program solicitations or may have received or expect to receive other Federal awards for essentially equivalent or overlapping work. In these cases, the proposer MUST inform NSF of related proposals and awards and must first certify on the Proposal Cover page whether the proposer (a) has received Federal government awards for related work, or (b) has submitted currently active proposals for similar work under other Federal government program solicitations or (c) intends to submit proposals for such work to other agencies during the year. For all such cases, the following information is required:

• The name, address and telephone contact of the sponsoring agency to which the proposal was or will be submitted;    
• Date(s) of proposal submission(s);     
• Title, number, and date of Solicitation under which the proposal was submitted or will be submitted;    
• Title and performance period of the proposal; and    
• Name and title of principal investigator (person-months (per year) (calendar-months) devoted by any personnel on the equivalent or overlapping project who are participating as PI or senior personnel on this proposal).

If no equivalent or overlapping proposals are under consideration, explicitly state: NONE. NSF will not make awards that essentially duplicate research funded (or expected to be funded) by other agencies, although in some cases NSF may fund portions of work described in an overlapping proposal provided that the budgets appropriately reduce costs and allocate costs among the various sponsors. IF A PROPOSER FAILS TO DISCLOSE EQUIVALENT OR OVERLAPPING PROPOSALS AS PROVIDED IN THIS SECTION, THE PROPOSER COULD BE LIABLE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, CIVIL, OR CRIMINAL SANCTIONS.

Part 8. Letters of Support or Commitment.  Place scanned letters of support under Part 8.  Letters can be reduced to conserve page count.  Originals can be mailed to the cognizant Program Officer.

A.7.4. References Cited. Provide a comprehensive listing of relevant reference sources, including patent numbers and other relevant intellectual property citations.

A.7.5. Biographical Sketches (no more than two pages per bio). Provide relevant biographical information for the principal investigator and key personnel (including key members of your subaward team). Include information on present and past employment, education (highest degree and year), and professional experience. Provide a listing of relevant publications and summarize other contributions to the technical literature not directly pertinent to this proposal.

A.7.6. Budget. The total budget shall not exceed $100,000 for the SBIR/STTR Phase I proposal. Budget estimates must be shown in detail on the budget justification. The budget should reflect the cost for work to be done only after the effective date of the award. Note that an awardee may not expend funds for any costs associated with the project before the effective date of the award document signed by the NSF Grants Officer.

List the principal investigator and senior personnel by name with their time commitments budgeted in person-months and the dollar amount for the performance period.

The reimbursement rates for consultants are a direct cost that cannot exceed the NSF maximum consultant rate of $513 per day. Indicate the number of days proposed per consultant. Consultant travel should be shown under the travel category.

The budget justification should indicate the type of expendable materials and supplies required with their estimated costs.

Permanent equipment, patent expenses, participant costs and foreign travel are not allowable expenditures.

One trip to the National Science Foundation to attend a two-day Grantees Workshop and to discuss the research program with a SBIR/STTR Program Manager must be included in the Phase I budget. An explicit statement acknowledging attendance to the Grantees Workshop is required on the budget justification page.

Reasonable fees (estimated profit) will be considered under Phase I. The amount of the fee approved by NSF cannot exceed seven percent (7%) of the total indirect and direct project costs.

Detailed documentation of budget line items is required on ALL budget items and should be documented on the budget justification page.

A.7.7. Current and Pending Support of Principal Investigator and Senior Personnel. This section should provide information about all research to which the Principal Investigator and other senior personnel either have committed time or have planned to commit time (in the event that other pending projects are supported during the SBIR/STTR Phase I period of performance), whether or not salary for the person involved is included in the budgets of the various projects. If none, state: NONE.

For all on-going or proposed projects or proposals that will be submitted in the near future -- but excluding any proposals already cited above in the Equivalent or Overlapping Proposals to other Federal Agencies section -- that involve the Principal Investigator or senior personnel, provide the following information:

• Name of sponsoring organization.     
• Title and performance period of the proposal.     
• Person-months (per year) (calendar months) devoted to the project by the Principal Investigator and each of the senior personnel.

A.7.8. Equipment, Instrumentation, Computers, and Facilities. Provide a description that specifies the availability and location of significant equipment, instrumentation, computers, and physical facilities necessary to complete that portion of the research that is to be carried out by the proposing firm in Phase I. Purchase of permanent equipment is not permitted in a Phase I project.

If the equipment, instrumentation, computers, and facilities for this research are not the property (owned or leased) of the proposing firm, include a statement signed by the owner or lessor which affirms the availability of these facilities for use in the proposed research, reasonable lease or rental costs for their use, and any other associated costs. Scan statements into this section.

A.7.9. Supplementary Docs. NOTE: Failure to provide complete information will result in the proposal NOT being considered further. This section will contain the following components:

A.7.9.1. Company Commercialization History: (Required for all proposers certifying receipt of Phase II proposals on the cover page.) Note this section has been updated. All 10 questions MUST be answered. Firms that have received one or more SBIR/STTR Phase II awards from NSF or any other Federal agency must submit a Company Commercialization History. The following are the components for this section:

1. Firm Name.     
2. Identify any name change your firm has gone through within the past five years.     
3. List the parent company if you are a subsidiary or a spin-off.    
4. Total Number of SBIR/STTR Phase II Awards Firm Received from the Federal Government.     
5. Percentage of the Firm's Revenues from the most recent Fiscal Year from Federal SBIR and/or STTR funding (this includes all Phase I and Phase II awards).     
6. Identify each Phase II SBIR/STTR award the firm has received by agency, date of award, amount of award and include award number.     
7. Total sales revenue to Date from the Commercialization Results of these Awards.     
8. Follow-on Funding Received from Government Sources.     
9. Follow-on Funding Received from Private Sources: Using the following definitions to determine your responses to this section. Sales - sales of products or services resulting from the technology developed and result of the Phase II award. Include revenue from the sale of technology or rights. Specify the sales revenues in dollars (1) to government agencies (federal, state, local and/or foreign) and (2) to the private sector. Include sales made by your firm as well as the sales of other organizations who have licensed or acquired the technology. Non-SBIR/STTR funding - government or private sector funds to further develop the technology (including R&D, manufacturing, marketing, etc.) associated with this Phase II project. Apportion sales/funding - if two or more Phase II projects contributed to a single product or technology right that has been sold or received non-SBIR/STTR funding among the contributing projects. For example, Phase II projects A and B lead to the sale of a new product/process/software ...to the DoD for a total of $10 million and to retail software stores for $12 million. Under the heading "Government Sales" put $5 million and under the heading "Private Sector Sales" put $6 million for both Phase II projects A and B.     
10. Apportion Sales Revenue and Non-SBIR/STTR Funding Amount of the various Phase II projects without double counting:

• Government Sales.     
• Private Sector Sales.

A.7.9.2. Cooperative Research Agreement (For STTR proposals only). See the Cooperative Agreement web page for a model http://www.eng.nsf.gov/sbirspecs/Phase_II/Cooperative_Agreement/cooperative_agreement.htm. The proposing small business concern must provide a written cooperative agreement between the small business concern and the research institution. The cooperative agreement must be signed by both parties at the time of award.

A.8. List of Suggested Reviewers. Provide a listing of reviewers that you consider to be experts in the field. Provide complete contact information in the "Suggested Reviewers" text box. Please keep in mind potential conflict-of-interests. Likewise, provide a listing of individuals that you wish not to be considered as a reviewer. Provide information in the "Reviewers not to include" text box.

A.9. Research Topics

The fundamental mission of NSF is to promote discoveries and to advance education across the frontiers of knowledge in science and engineering. Consistent with that mission, NSF encourages and supports a wide range of proposals from the research and education community and also from the private small business sector. These proposals are reviewed under NSF's new merit review criteria, which cover both the quality of research and its potential impact on society.

The SBIR/STTR program solicits proposals from the small business sector consistent with NSF's mission. The program is governed by Public Law 106-554. A main purpose of the legislation is "to stimulate technological innovation and increase private sector commercialization." The NSF SBIR/STTR program is therefore in a unique position to meet both the goals of NSF and the purpose of the SBIR legislation by emphasizing private sector commercialization and by transforming scientific discovery into social benefits. Accordingly, NSF has formulated four broad solicitation topics for SBIR/STTR that conform to the high-technology investment sector's interest:

• Biotechnology (BT) http://www.eng.nsf.gov/sbirspecs/BT/bt.htm    
• Electronics (EL) http://www.eng.nsf.gov/sbirspecs/EL/el.htm     
• Information-Based Technologies (IT) http://www.eng.nsf.gov/sbirspecs/IT/it.htm    
• Advanced Materials, Manufacturing and Chemical Processes (AM) http://www.eng.nsf.gov/sbirspecs/AM/am.htm 

Please note that NSF has made substantive revisions to sub-topics under these four technology areas. NSF has established a cascading decision making procedure in selecting the fit of each sub-topic under the four broad solicitation topics. The hierarchy for the fit of sub-topic starts at the top with BT, followed by EL, followed by IT and finally AM. The following are presented as illustrative examples. If the research is biology-based, it is BT. If the research is electronics or information or materials-based for applications in biotechnology such as devices for medical or bioinformatics or biocompatible materials, it should be submitted to the BT topic. If the research is electronics or photonics or magnetism-based, it is EL. Most instrumentation outside the BT application area fits into EL. If research is information or materials-based such as embedded software or nano carbon tubes for use as semiconductors for electronic applications, it should be submitted to the EL topic. If the research is computer science or cognitive science-based, it is IT. If the research is modeling and simulation of engineering applications with software as the resultant commercial product, it is IT. If the research is on structural materials or chemical processes, it is AM. If research is on mechanical parts or manufacturing processes, it is AM. These examples are not meant as a comprehensive list of research opportunities but to assist in finding the proper fit for research ideas under the four NSF solicitation topics.

These broad technology topics encompass virtually all of the scientific and engineering disciplines that are represented at NSF. In particular, Nanotechnology represents one of the newest frontiers in science and technology for NSF and as such companies are encouraged to submit proposals in this broad topical area. Please read thoroughly the descriptions of all four solicitation topics in their entirety and select the topic that best reflects the area where your novel idea would have the most potential impact in the marketplace. That topic must be specified on the cover page of your proposal and coded to the most specific level possible. For example, if you propose research on electronic sensors that measure physical properties, your proposal cover page should specify for the SBIR/STTR Phase I Topic as Electronics (EL) and the SBIR/STTR Phase I Subtopic as A.1. representing: A. Detectors, Sensors, Instruments, and Systems, area 1. Physical Property Measurement.

Proposers are reminded to identify the program announcement/solicitation number (03-535) in the program announcement/solicitation block on the proposal Cover Sheet. Compliance with this requirement is critical to determining the relevant proposal processing guidelines. Failure to submit this information may delay processing.

B. Budgetary Information

Cost Sharing:

Cost sharing is not required in proposals submitted under this Program Solicitation.

Other Budgetary Limitations:

C. Due Dates

Proposals must be submitted by the following date(s):

Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. proposer's local time):

June 12, 2003
Topics: Electronics (EL) and Information-Based Technologies (IT). Proposals must not be submitted before May 12, 2003.

January 20, 2004
Topics: Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Chemical Processes (AM) and Biotechnology (BT). Proposals must not be submitted before December 20, 2003.

D. FastLane Requirements

Proposers are required to prepare and submit all proposals for this announcement/solicitation through the FastLane system. Detailed instructions for proposal preparation and submission via FastLane are available at: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov/a1/newstan.htm. For FastLane user support, call the FastLane Help Desk at 1-800-673-6188 or e-mail fastlane@nsf.gov. The FastLane Help Desk answers general technical questions related to the use of the FastLane system. Specific questions related to this program announcement/solicitation should be referred to the NSF program staff contact(s) listed in Section VIII of this announcement/solicitation.

Submission of Electronically Signed Cover Sheets. The Authorized Organizational Representative (AOR) must electronically sign the proposal Cover Sheet to submit the required proposal certifications (see Chapter II, Section C of the Grant Proposal Guide for a listing of the certifications). The AOR must provide the required electronic certifications within five working days following the electronic submission of the proposal. Proposers are no longer required to provide a paper copy of the signed Proposal Cover Sheet to NSF. Further instructions regarding this process are available on the FastLane Website at: http://www.fastlane.nsf.gov

VI. Proposal Review Information

A. NSF Proposal Review Process

Reviews of proposals submitted to NSF are solicited from peers with expertise in the substantive area of the proposed research or education project. These reviewers are selected by Program Officers charged with the oversight of the review process. NSF invites the proposer to suggest, at the time of submission, the names of appropriate or inappropriate reviewers. Care is taken to ensure that reviewers have no conflicts with the proposer. Special efforts are made to recruit reviewers from non-academic institutions, minority-serving institutions, or adjacent disciplines to that principally addressed in the proposal.

The National Science Board approved revised criteria for evaluating proposals at its meeting on March 28, 1997 (NSB 97-72). All NSF proposals are evaluated through use of the two merit review criteria. In some instances, however, NSF will employ additional criteria as required to highlight the specific objectives of certain programs and activities.

On July 8, 2002, the NSF Director issued Important Notice 127, Implementation of new Grant Proposal Guide Requirements Related to the Broader Impacts Criterion. This Important Notice reinforces the importance of addressing both criteria in the preparation and review of all proposals submitted to NSF. NSF continues to strengthen its internal processes to ensure that both of the merit review criteria are addressed when making funding decisions.

In an effort to increase compliance with these requirements, the January 2002 issuance of the GPG incorporated revised proposal preparation guidelines relating to the development of the Project Summary and Project Description. Chapter II of the GPG specifies that Principal Investigators (PIs) must address both merit review criteria in separate statements within the one-page Project Summary. This chapter also reiterates that broader impacts resulting from the proposed project must be addressed in the Project Description and described as an integral part of the narrative.

Effective October 1, 2002, NSF will return without review proposals that do not separately address both merit review criteria within the Project Summary. It is believed that these changes to NSF proposal preparation and processing guidelines will more clearly articulate the importance of broader impacts to NSF-funded projects.

The two National Science Board approved merit review criteria are listed below (see the Grant Proposal Guide Chapter III.A for further information). The criteria include considerations that help define them. These considerations are suggestions and not all will apply to any given proposal. While proposers must address both merit review criteria, reviewers will be asked to address only those considerations that are relevant to the proposal being considered and for which he/she is qualified to make judgments.

What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?
How important is the proposed activity to advancing knowledge and understanding within its own field or across different fields? How well qualified is the proposer (individual or team) to conduct the project? (If appropriate, the reviewer will comment on the quality of the prior work.) To what extent does the proposed activity suggest and explore creative and original concepts? How well conceived and organized is the proposed activity? Is there sufficient access to resources?

What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?
How well does the activity advance discovery and understanding while promoting teaching, training, and learning? How well does the proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g., gender, ethnicity, disability, geographic, etc.)? To what extent will it enhance the infrastructure for research and education, such as facilities, instrumentation, networks, and partnerships? Will the results be disseminated broadly to enhance scientific and technological understanding? What may be the benefits of the proposed activity to society?

NSF staff will give careful consideration to the following in making funding decisions:

Integration of Research and Education
One of the principal strategies in support of NSF's goals is to foster integration of research and education through the programs, projects, and activities it supports at academic and research institutions. These institutions provide abundant opportunities where individuals may concurrently assume responsibilities as researchers, educators, and students and where all can engage in joint efforts that infuse education with the excitement of discovery and enrich research through the diversity of learning perspectives.

Integrating Diversity into NSF Programs, Projects, and Activities
Broadening opportunities and enabling the participation of all citizens -- women and men, underrepresented minorities, and persons with disabilities -- is essential to the health and vitality of science and engineering. NSF is committed to this principle of diversity and deems it central to the programs, projects, and activities it considers and supports.

Additional Review Criteria

The SBIR/STTR program has additional criteria (as listed below) that are associated with the "standard" NSF review critieria.

What is the intellectual merit of the proposed activity?

1. Is the proposed plan a sound approach for establishing technical and commercial feasibility?
2. Does the proposal reflect state-of-the-art in the major research activities proposed?
3. Are advancements in state-of-the-art likely?

What are the broader impacts of the proposed activity?

1. What may be the commercial and societal benefits of the proposed activity?
2. Does the proposal lead to enabling technologies (instrumentation, software, etc.) for further discoveries?
3. Does the outcome of the proposed activity lead to a marketable product or process? Evaluate the competitive advantage of this technology vs. alternate technologies that can meet the same market needs.
4. How well is the proposed activity positioned to attract further funding from non-SBIR sources once the SBIR project ends?
5. Can the product or process developed in the project advance NSF's goals in research and education?
6. Does the proposed activity broaden the participation of underrepresented groups (e.g. gender, ethnicity, disability, geography, etc.)?
7. Has the proposing firm successfully commercialized SBIR/STTR supported technology where prior awards have been made?

B. Review Protocol and Associated Customer Service Standard

All proposals are carefully reviewed by at least three other persons outside NSF who are experts in the particular field represented by the proposal. Proposals submitted in response to this announcement/solicitation will be reviewed by Ad Hoc and/or panel review.

Reviewers will be asked to formulate a recommendation to either support or decline each proposal. The Program Officer assigned to manage the proposal's review will consider the advice of reviewers and will formulate a recommendation.

A summary rating and accompanying narrative will be completed and submitted by each reviewer. In all cases, reviews are treated as confidential documents. Verbatim copies of reviews, excluding the names of the reviewers, are sent to the Principal Investigator/Project Director by the Program Director. In addition, the proposer will receive an explanation of the decision to award or decline funding.

NSF is striving to be able to tell applicants whether their proposals have been declined or recommended for funding within six months. The time interval begins on the date of receipt. The interval ends when the Division Director accepts the Program Officer's recommendation.

In all cases, after programmatic approval has been obtained, the proposals recommended for funding will be forwarded to the Division of Grants and Agreements for review of business, financial, and policy implications and the processing and issuance of a grant or other agreement. Proposers are cautioned that only a Grants and Agreements Officer may make commitments, obligations or awards on behalf of NSF or authorize the expenditure of funds. No commitment on the part of NSF should be inferred from technical or budgetary discussions with a NSF Program Officer. A Principal Investigator or organization that makes financial or personnel commitments in the absence of a grant or cooperative agreement signed by the NSF Grants and Agreements Officer does so at their own risk.

VII. Award Administration Information

A. Notification of the Award

Notification of the award is made to the submitting organization by a Grants Officer in the Division of Grants and Agreements. Organizations whose proposals are declined will be advised as promptly as possible by the cognizant NSF Program Division administering the program. Verbatim copies of reviews, not including the identity of the reviewer, will be provided automatically to the Principal Investigator. (See section VI.A. for additional information on the review process.)

B. Award Conditions

An NSF award consists of: (1) the award letter, which includes any special provisions applicable to the award and any numbered amendments thereto; (2) the budget, which indicates the amounts, by categories of expense, on which NSF has based its support (or otherwise communicates any specific approvals or disapprovals of proposed expenditures); (3) the proposal referenced in the award letter; (4) the applicable award conditions, such as Grant General Conditions (NSF-GC-1); * or Federal Demonstration Partnership (FDP) Terms and Conditions * and (5) any announcement or other NSF issuance that may be incorporated by reference in the award letter. Cooperative agreement awards also are administered in accordance with NSF Cooperative Agreement Terms and Conditions (CA-1). Electronic mail notification is the preferred way to transmit NSF awards to organizations that have electronic mail capabilities and have requested such notification from the Division of Grants and Agreements.

*These documents may be accessed electronically on NSF's Website at https://www.nsf.gov/home/grants/grants_gac.htm. Paper copies may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (301) 947-2722 or by e-mail from pubs@nsf.gov.

More comprehensive information on NSF Award Conditions is contained in the NSF Grant Policy Manual (GPM) Chapter II, available electronically on the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gpm. The GPM is also for sale through the Superintendent of Documents, Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington, DC 20402. The telephone number at GPO for subscription information is (202) 512-1800. The GPM may be ordered through the GPO Website at http://www.gpo.gov.

Special Award Conditions:

C. Reporting Requirements

SBIR/STTR Phase I grantees must submit a Phase I Final Report prior to submitting a Phase II proposal. All reports must be prepared in FastLane. For additional support in preparing a report in FastLane please reference the FastLane Home Page; for grant guidance reference for Phase I: https://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?sbiri98. If more information is required please contact your NSF SBIR/STTR Program Officer.

Within 15 days after the expiration of an award, the PI also is required to submit a final project report. Failure to provide final technical reports delays NSF review and processing of pending proposals for the PI and all Co-PIs. PIs should examine the formats of the required reports in advance to assure availability of required data.

PIs are required to use NSF's electronic project reporting system, available through FastLane, for preparation and submission of final project reports. This system permits electronic submission and updating of project reports, including information on project participants (individual and organizational), activities and findings, publications, and other specific products and contributions. PIs will not be required to re-enter information previously provided, either with a proposal or in earlier updates using the electronic system.

VIII. Contacts For Additional Information

General inquiries regarding this program should be made to:

• Cheryl F. Albus, Program Manager - Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Chemical Processes, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 510 N, telephone: (703) 292-7051, fax: (703) 292-9057, email: calbus@nsf.gov

• Juan E. Figueroa, Program Manager - Information-Based Technologies, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 550 S, telephone: (703) 292-7054, fax: (703) 292-9057, email: jfiguero@nsf.gov

• Joseph E. Hennessey, Program Manager -- Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Chemical Processes, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 550 S, telephone: (703) 292-7069, fax: (703) 292-9057, email: jhenness@nsf.gov

• Sara B. Nerlove, Program Manager - Information-Based Technologies, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-7077, fax: (703) 292-9057, email: snerlove@nsf.gov

• T. James Rudd, Program Manager - Electronics, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 570 S, telephone: (703) 292-4759, fax: (703) 292-9056, email: tjrudd@nsf.gov

• Om P. Sahai, Program Manager - Biotechnology, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-7795, fax: (703) 292-9056, email: osahai@nsf.gov

• Winslow Sargeant, Program Manager - Electronics, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-8330, fax: (703) 292-9056, email: wsargean@nsf.gov

• Rosemarie D. Wesson, Program Manager - Advanced Materials, Manufacturing, and Chemical Processes, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 590 N, telephone: (703) 292-8330, email: rwesson@nsf.gov

For questions related to the use of FastLane, contact:

• email: fastlane@nsf.gov

• Cheryl F. Albus, Program Manager, Directorate for Engineering, Division of Design, Manufacture, & Industrial Innovation, 510 N, telephone: (703) 292-7051, fax: (703) 292-9057, email: calbus@nsf.gov

IX. Other Programs Of Interest

The NSF Guide to Programs is a compilation of funding for research and education in science, mathematics, and engineering. The NSF Guide to Programs is available electronically at https://www.nsf.gov/cgi-bin/getpub?gp. General descriptions of NSF programs, research areas, and eligibility information for proposal submission are provided in each chapter.

Many NSF programs offer announcements or solicitations concerning specific proposal requirements. To obtain additional information about these requirements, contact the appropriate NSF program offices. Any changes in NSF's fiscal year programs occurring after press time for the Guide to Programs will be announced in the NSF E-Bulletin, which is updated daily on the NSF Website at https://www.nsf.gov/home/ebulletin, and in individual program announcements/solicitations. Subscribers can also sign up for NSF's Custom News Service (https://www.nsf.gov/home/cns/start.htm) to be notified of new funding opportunities that become available.

About The National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funds research and education in most fields of science and engineering. Awardees are wholly responsible for conducting their project activities and preparing the results for publication. Thus, the Foundation does not assume responsibility for such findings or their interpretation.

NSF welcomes proposals from all qualified scientists, engineers and educators. The Foundation strongly encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to compete fully in its programs. In accordance with Federal statutes, regulations and NSF policies, no person on grounds of race, color, age, sex, national origin or disability shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving financial assistance from NSF, although some programs may have special requirements that limit eligibility.

Facilitation Awards for Scientists and Engineers with Disabilities (FASED) provide funding for special assistance or equipment to enable persons with disabilities (investigators and other staff, including student research assistants) to work on NSF-supported projects. See the GPG Chapter II, Section D.2 for instructions regarding preparation of these types of proposals.

Privacy Act And Public Burden Statements

The information requested on proposal forms and project reports is solicited under the authority of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended. The information on proposal forms will be used in connection with the selection of qualified proposals; project reports submitted by awardees will be used for program evaluation and reporting within the Executive Branch and to Congress. The information requested may be disclosed to qualified reviewers and staff assistants as part of the proposal review process; to applicant institutions/grantees to provide or obtain data regarding the proposal review process, award decisions, or the administration of awards; to government contractors, experts, volunteers and researchers and educators as necessary to complete assigned work; to other government agencies needing information as part of the review process or in order to coordinate programs; and to another Federal agency, court or party in a court or Federal administrative proceeding if the government is a party. Information about Principal Investigators may be added to the Reviewer file and used to select potential candidates to serve as peer reviewers or advisory committee members. See Systems of Records, NSF-50, "Principal Investigator/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 267 (January 5, 1998), and NSF-51, "Reviewer/Proposal File and Associated Records," 63 Federal Register 268 (January 5, 1998). Submission of the information is voluntary. Failure to provide full and complete information, however, may reduce the possibility of receiving an award.

An agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to an information collection unless it displays a valid OMB control number. The OMB control number for this collection is 3145-0058. Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 120 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions. Send comments regarding this burden estimate and any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to: Suzanne Plimpton, Reports Clearance Officer, Division of Administrative Services, National Science Foundation, Arlington, VA 22230.

OMB control number: 3145-0058.