grantwriting and government contracts for small business
DESCRIPTION
An introduction to how to search and apply for government grants and contracts for small business. Includes information on grants from the Federal government, SBIR and STTR contracts, and covers the process from solicitation to proposal to award. Created by Sandra DiCosola for Catalyst Cafe at the Library, Pima County Public Library, Tucson AZ. Presented July 8, 2014.TRANSCRIPT
Copyright 2014, Summit Contract Management
Catalyst CafeGrant Writing Session
July 8, 2014
Presented by Sandy DiCosola
The Grant and Procurement Process
Copyright 2014,Summit Contract Management
Step Two: Finding Solicitations
Copyright 2014,Summit Contract Management
Finding Solicitations
Federal Business Opportunities www.fbo.gov
Grants www.grants.gov
SBIR/STTR www.sbir.gov
State of Arizona https://procure.az.gov/bso/
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Pre-solicitation
Many organizations offer a question & answer time period
Take this time to introduce your organizationand your idea
This is a critical time to ask questions
Is this grant a fit for your organization?
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Solicitation
Start by reading from front to back
Does your innovation/services meet their criteria?
Is your organization eligible?
Do you need to register first?
Do you have the resources to write the proposal?
Can you meet the deadline? If not what is the funding cycle? Are there future opportunities?
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Solicitation
After reading from front to back:
1. Review the solicitation checklist2. Go back and read the solicitation again this time preparing your own checklist3. Combine the two checklists and prepare a proposal preparation plan
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Step Three: Proposal Writing
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Registration
After reading the solicitation determine:
- Is registration required?
- Are you already registered?
REGISTRATION IS OFTEN THE 1ST STEP
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Register in Grants.gov
Many proposals must be submitted using www.grants.gov.
Obtain a Dunn and Bradstreet Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number
Register in the System for Award Management (SAM)
Applicants should allow at least 21 days
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System for Award Management(SAM)
Database for Government Agencies, Large contracts and Small Businesses www.sam.govNorth American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code six-digit codes – define 20 industriesStandard Industrial Classification (SIC)Data Universal Numbering Systems number (DUNS) code – assigned by Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (credit reporting purposes)DoD uses Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code (automatically assigned)Must update your SAM registration annually
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Grant vs. Contract
• Grant: research leading to commercial products and/or services. The contractor usually specifies the research effort and commercial opportunity. Not much involvement from the government.
• Contract: issued to companies who’s research addresses a problem or opportunity that the agency has specified.
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Grant vs. Contract (continued)
• Grant: contractor responsible for specifying research effort and commercial opportunities- you need to show why your research is important
• Contract: agency identifies the problem or opportunity-you show a credible and innovative solution
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Small Business Innovation (SBIR) Research Program
In 1982 the U.S. Congress established the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to stimulate technological innovation, utilize small business to meet federal research and development needs, and increase private sector commercialization.
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SBIR Mission
Support scientific excellence and technological innovation through the investment of Federal research funds in critical American priorities to build a strong national economy.
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SBIR Goals are Four-Fold
Stimulate technological innovation
Meet Federal research and development needs.
Foster and encourage participation in innovation and entrepreneurship by socially and economically disadvantaged persons.
Increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development funding.
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SBIR Program Highlights
Eleven agencies particpate
Three Phase Program-Phase I, establish technical feasibility-Phase II, continue R/R&D efforts -Phase III, pursue commercialization
Phase I – ~ $150K, 6 months
Phase II - ~$1M, 2 years
Phase III – SBIR
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Proposal Preparation Plan
Who is your writing team? Are they 100% committed?Estimate how many hours are required from each team memberClearly identify who is responsible for each proposal section Create a realistic schedule – backwards from the proposal due dateHold a “kick-off” meeting and “mid-proposal” meetingHave weekly status meetings – no exceptions!
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Proposal Writing
Plan on spending at least two months or more to write the proposalPaste the solicitation outline into your draftuntil the final document is preparedKeep the award/evaluation criteria in front of you while you are writingIf many writers involved – edit to ensure the proposal flows as if written by “one voice”
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Proposal Budget
Is the budget realistic?
Does the budget match the proposed scope of work?Are your indirect costs within a prescribed range?
Is your price within the range that the granting organization is offering or expecting?
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Proposal Review
Is the award or evaluation criteria identified in the solicitation?
Review your proposal with the award criteria in front of you!
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Proposal Review (continued)
Colleague Review
- performed by someone in the area of expertise
Red Team Review
- performed by someone who was not part of the proposal writing team and is not an expert on the topic
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Proposal Submittal
Electronic or Paper
If electronic “take a dry run” if possible Be clear about the deadline – typically no flexibility!
Submit several days in advance to allow for “Murphy the optimist”
Confirm granting entity receipt of your proposal
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Proposal Follow-up
You’re getting an award - great let the fun begin!You’re not getting an award-request a debriefing preferably in person-find out if you can resubmitA debriefing is valuable information and treat it that way!
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Final Tips
Know everything you can about the granting organization
Read the granting organization proposal tips
Do not procrastinate, your proposal will show it!
GOOD LUCK!!
Copyright 2014,Summit Contract Management
Copyright 2014, Summit Contract Management
Sandy DiCosola, PresidentPhone/Fax: (520) 797-3408
Email: [email protected]: www.summitcontractmanagement.com