Press Releases

WASHINGTON – House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH) made the following statement after the House passed a five-year reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs as part of the 55^th National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

“In an era of unfair global competition, making it easier for American small businesses to develop and commercialize new, innovative products is essential for both our economic and national security,” Chairman Chabot said. “SBIR and STTR are critical parts of this effort because their awards go to small innovators who have always been on the cutting edge of groundbreaking research and life-saving technology. The long-term reauthorization passed by the House today will provide certainty to thousands of small businesses who use these programs today and open doors for the inventors of tomorrow.”

“In the new Congress, the Small Business Committee will continue to work to find new ways to make these programs stronger and more effective,” Chairman Chabot added.

Small businesses applauded the House passage of the SBIR/STTR reauthorization saying it will provide them with much-needed certainty in the coming years.

“The Small Business Technology Council is incredibly appreciative to Congress and Chairman Chabot for ensuring that a 5-year SBIR/STTR reauthorization is included in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act,” said Jere Glover, the Executive Director of the Small Business Technology Council. “SBIR companies across the country will be relieved that these vital innovation programs will be continued, and the prompt passage of SBIR/STTR reauthorization will give them the certainty and confidence that all businesses need to grow and plan for the future.”

“Without Chairman Chabot's hard work, dedication, and leadership on this issue, this never would have been possible. Our members are deeply grateful to him for and all he has done for small business over the years,” Glover added.

“As a CEO of a small business in southwest Ohio that is focused on research supporting Federal Agencies, I am deeply appreciative of Chairman Chabot’s diligent leadership of the Small Business Committee,” said Ron Shroder, the CEO and President of Frontier Technology, Inc., a small business in Beavercreek, Ohio. “Chairman Chabot’s ability to include the 5 year SBIR/STTR Reauthorization within the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) benefits small businesses throughout the country.  With small businesses representing approximately 50% of the employment in the country, this program is very important to our future.”

BACKGROUND:

• Long-term reauthorization of the SBIR and STTR programs has been a top priority for the House Small Business Committee throughout the 114^th Congress.

• The Committee unanimously approved a bipartisan reauthorization measure for both programs earlier this year after a hearing series on the importance of these small business programs to the United States economy and national security.

• At those hearings, witnesses told Committee members that major innovations in recent history began with small companies using SBIR and STTR programs. The witnesses cited Sonicare toothbrushes, Roomba iRobots and 70 percent of the computer chips in today’s iPhones as a few examples of ubiquitous technology made possible by SBIR and STTR awards to small companies.

• Chairman Chabot penned an op-ed for The Hill earlier this year on the importance of reauthorization for small businesses and welcomed an SBIR expo to Capitol Hill last year.