[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4777 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4777
To improve the SBIR and STTR programs under the Small Business Act, and
for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 25, 2025
Mr. Williams of Texas introduced the following bill; which was referred
to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology, for a period to be subsequently
determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To improve the SBIR and STTR programs under the Small Business Act, and
for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Investing in
National Next-Generation Opportunities for Venture Acceleration and
Technological Excellence'' or the ``INNOVATE Act''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Definitions.
TITLE I--PROMOTING TRANSITION FOR BATTLE-READY TECHNOLOGIES
Sec. 101. Enhancing small business success in the STTR program.
Sec. 102. Phase II strategic breakthrough funding.
Sec. 103. Implementation briefings.
Sec. 104. Fixed-price contracts.
TITLE II--ENCOURAGING SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION IN ALL OF AMERICA
Sec. 201. Encouraging new SBIR and STTR entrants.
Sec. 202. Combating discriminatory practices in the SBIR and STTR
programs.
Sec. 203. Disclosures and prohibitions relating to certain agreements
with entities engaging in censorship.
Sec. 204. Connecting SBIR and STTR awardees and small business
investment companies.
Sec. 205. Agency outreach to rural communities.
TITLE III--STREAMLINING PARTICIPATION IN THE SBIR AND STTR PROGRAMS
Sec. 301. Amendments relating to open topics.
Sec. 302. Reducing administrative burden.
TITLE IV--PROTECTING AMERICAN INNOVATION FROM ADVERSARIAL INFLUENCE
Sec. 401. Definition of foreign risk.
Sec. 402. Bolstering research security of SBIR and STTR awards.
Sec. 403. Strengthening the due diligence program to assess security
risks.
Sec. 404. Strengthening agency recovery authority.
Sec. 405. Best practices on investor informational rights.
Sec. 406. GAO report.
TITLE V--SIMPLIFYING SBIR-STTR STANDARDS
Sec. 501. Improving direct to Phase II authorities.
Sec. 502. Improving SBIR and STTR data collection.
Sec. 503. Streamlining program administration.
Sec. 504. Extending SBIR and STTR authorization.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS
Sec. 601. Technical amendments.
Sec. 602. Repeals.
Sec. 603. Severability.
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act, the terms ``Phase I'', ``Phase II'', ``Phase III'',
``SBIR'', and ``STTR'' have the meanings given those terms in section
9(e) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)).
TITLE I--PROMOTING TRANSITION FOR BATTLE-READY TECHNOLOGIES
SEC. 101. ENHANCING SMALL BUSINESS SUCCESS IN THE STTR PROGRAM.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638 et seq.) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (e)(7)--
(A) by striking ``40'' and inserting ``50''; and
(B) by striking ``30'' and inserting ``20'';
(2) in subsection (f)(1)--
(A) in subparagraph (H), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (I), by striking ``and each
fiscal year thereafter,'' and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(J) not less than 3.45 percent of such budget in
fiscal year 2026 and every year thereafter,''; and
(3) in subsection (n)(1)(B)--
(A) in clause (iv), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(B) in clause (v), by striking ``and each fiscal
year thereafter.'' and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(vi) not less than 0.20 percent for
fiscal year 2026 and each fiscal year
thereafter.''.
SEC. 102. PHASE II STRATEGIC BREAKTHROUGH FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
638) is amended--
(1) in subsection (aa), by adding at the end the following:
``(6) Strategic breakthrough allocation.--Participating
agencies with a budget for SBIR greater than $100,000,000 shall
not be required to receive a waiver from the Administrator to
award a small business concern not more than $30,000,000 when
using funds made available under a strategic breakthrough
allocation (as defined in subsection (ff)).''; and
(2) in subsection (ff)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking ``and
STTR'' and inserting ``Phase II'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``or Phase II
STTR award''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(3) Strategic breakthrough awards.--
``(A) Award.--Under this subparagraph, a funding
agreement may be awarded to a small business concern by
each participating agency using funds made available
under a strategic breakthrough allocation, as defined
in subparagraph (B).
``(B) Fund parameters.--
``(i) Strategic breakthrough allocation
defined.--In this subparagraph, the term
`strategic breakthrough allocation' means, with
respect to a participating agency with a
required expenditure under subsection (f)(1) in
excess of $100,000,000, a required expenditure
amount from the SBIR allocation under
subsection (f)(1) of such agency of not less
than 0.25 percent of the extramural budget for
research or research and development designated
for such agency for fiscal year 2026 and every
fiscal year thereafter.
``(ii) Requirements.--In the case of a
Phase II agreement that is awarded to a small
business concern by a participating agency
using funds made available under a strategic
breakthrough allocation, the following
requirements shall apply:
``(I) Award size and period of
performance.--A participating agency
may award from a strategic breakthrough
allocation not more than $30,000,000 in
aggregate to a small business concern,
including its affiliates, spinouts, or
subsidiaries based on reaching
production or development milestone if
the total period of performance of the
project with respect to which such
funds are awarded is not more than 48
months.
``(II) Small business concern
requirements.--The small business
concern shall--
``(aa) have been awarded
not less than 1 prior Phase II
award under the SBIR or STTR
program;
``(bb) demonstrate not less
than 100 percent matching funds
from sources other than the
Government or amounts awarded
by participating agencies under
a program other than Phase I
and II of the SBIR or STTR
program as a result of an award
using funds made available
under a strategic breakthrough
allocation;
``(cc) is an effective
solution, as determined by
market research; and
``(dd) only be eligible for
an award from the strategic
breakthrough allocation if the
product, process, or technology
of the small business concern--
``(AA) meets a
necessary level of
readiness and has a
commitment for
inclusion in a program
objective memorandum
from an official with
the rank of program
executive officer or
higher in an
acquisition
organization of the
participating agency
making such award; and
``(BB) will meet
high priority
requirements or
operational needs of
such participating
agency through a
successful transition
and into the
acquisition process.
``(III) Deadline.--Each
participating agency shall complete any
contract awards using strategic
breakthrough allocation funds not later
than 90 days after receiving a proposal
from a small business concern for the
award.
``(IV) Eligible activities.--
Eligible activities by a small business
concern using strategic breakthrough
allocation funds are--
``(aa) design for
manufacturing;
``(bb) establishing
manufacturing facilities,
tooling, and supply chain
capacity;
``(cc) buying raw materials
or inventory;
``(dd) the integration of
products with open
interoperability standards;
``(ee) testing, evaluation,
and certification of low-rate
production units; and
``(ff) the purchase of
production units and
maintenance.
``(V) Selection criteria.--In
making awards using funds made
available under a strategic
breakthrough allocation, a
participating agency shall consider--
``(aa) the potential of the
small business concern to--
``(AA) advance the
national security
capabilities of the
United States; and
``(BB) provide new
technologies or
processes, or new
applications of
existing technologies,
that will enable new
alternatives to
existing programs;
``(bb) whether a customer
in the participating agency has
expressed an intent to purchase
and integrate technology from
the small business concern into
its operations; and
``(cc) whether a particular
technology area is
undercapitalized by private
investment.
``(C) Acquisition mechanism.--A participating
agency shall establish a mechanism to provide small
business concerns with direct access to program and
requirements offices throughout the participating
agency that may purchase technology from small business
concerns under Phase III of the SBIR program.
``(D) Use of streamlined contracting mechanisms.--
Each participating agency shall implement streamlined
processes and requirements for submitting proposals and
applying for awards using funds made available under a
strategic breakthrough allocation.''.
(b) Commercialization Readiness Program.--Section 9(y) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(y)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``shall identify'' and inserting
the following: ``shall--
``(A) identify'';
(B) in subparagraph (A), as so designated--
(i) by inserting ``, including small
business concerns with an award from the
strategic breakthrough allocation,'' before
``that have the potential''; and
(ii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(B) ensure, in collaboration with SBIR program
managers of each component, that research programs
identified under subparagraph (A) are analyzed within
the programming and budgeting process as budget
requests are developed; and
``(C) provide to the Committee on Small Business
and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committees
on Small Business and Science, Space, and Technology of
the House of Representatives information on the
integration of SBIR and STTR awardees in budget
rollouts for research, development, testing, and
evaluation activities.'';
(2) by striking paragraph (3) and redesignating paragraphs
(4), (5), and (6) as paragraphs (3), (4), and (5),
respectively; and
(3) in paragraph (5), as so redesignated--
(A) in the subparagraph heading, by striking ``and
sttr'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by inserting ``substantively'' before
``increase'';
(ii) by striking ``and the number of Phase
II STTR contracts''; and
(iii) by inserting ``in fiscal year 2028 as
compared to fiscal year 2025'' before the
semicolon at the end;
(C) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(D) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as
subparagraph (E);
(E) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the
following:
``(C) establish a mechanism to provide small
business concerns with direct access to program and
requirements offices that may purchase technology from
the small business concern under Phase III of the SBIR
program;
``(D) allow services to provide operational needs
statements directly to chiefs of requirements offices;
and''; and
(F) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated, in
clause (i) by striking ``and STTR contracts''.
SEC. 103. IMPLEMENTATION BRIEFINGS.
Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act, and
on a recurrent basis until the implementation of paragraph (3) of
section 9(ff) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(ff)), as added
by section 102, is complete, the head of each agency participating in
the SBIR or STTR programs that made an award from funds made available
under a strategic breakthrough allocation (as defined under paragraph
(3)(B) of section 9(ff) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(ff),
as added by section 102)) shall brief the Committee on Small Business
and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committees on Small Business
and on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of Representatives
on such implementation.
SEC. 104. FIXED-PRICE CONTRACTS.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(1) in subsection (f), by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Fixed-price contract.--Any funding agreement that is
a contract made with expenditures allocated to the SBIR program
under paragraph (1) shall be a firm fixed-price contract (as
defined in section 16.202 of the Federal Acquisition
Regulation), unless, on a case-by-case basis, the head of the
awarding Federal agency makes a written determination to use a
different contract structure.''; and
(2) in subsection (n), by adding at the end the following:
``(5) Fixed-price contract.--Any funding agreement that is
a contract made with expenditures allocated to the STTR program
under paragraph (1) shall be a firm fixed-price contract (as
defined in section 16.202 of the Federal Acquisition
Regulation), unless the head of the awarding Federal agency
makes a written determination to use a different contract
structure.''.
TITLE II--ENCOURAGING SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION IN ALL OF AMERICA
SEC. 201. ENCOURAGING NEW SBIR AND STTR ENTRANTS.
(a) Encouraging New SBIR and STTR Entrants.--Section 9(jj) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(jj)) is amended to read as follows:
``(jj) Encouraging New SBIR and STTR Entrants.--
``(1) Optimizing sbir and sttr funding.--
``(A) In general.--The head of a participating
agency may award a Phase I or Phase II award to a small
business concern only if the total value of the Phase I
and Phase II awards awarded to such small business
concern, including its affiliates, spinouts, and
subsidiaries, does not exceed $75,000,000.
``(B) Waiver.--
``(i) In general.--On an award-by-award
basis, the Undersecretary or Director
overseeing the SBIR or STTR program of a
Federal agency may waive the requirement under
subparagraph (A) with a written justification
by the Undersecretary or Director that explains
why the use of the waiver authority for an
otherwise disqualified small business concern
is imperative for national security purposes
and why the work cannot be performed by other
qualifying small business concerns.
``(ii) Nondelegation.--The waiver authority
established under clause (i) may not be
delegated.
``(iii) Record requirement.--Participating
agencies shall maintain information on any
awards made using the waiver established under
clause (i), including the amount of the award,
the written justification for each award, and
the identity of the award recipient.
``(iv) Report.--The Administrator shall
include the information described in clause
(iii) in the annual report of the Administrator
to Congress required by subsection (b)(7).
``(2) Principal investigators.--An individual may not
concurrently serve as the principal investigator on more than 1
proposal to a single Phase I solicitation or a single Phase II
solicitation.
``(3) Phase i size standard.--A small business concern
applying for a Phase I award may not have annual receipts (as
defined in section 121.104 of title 13, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation) of more than
$40,000,000 for the most recent fiscal year.''.
(b) Phase 1A Program.--
(1) In general.--Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(A) in subsection (e)--
(i) in paragraph (4)--
(I) in subparagraph (A), by
striking ``subparagraph (B)'' and
inserting ``subparagraph (C)'';
(II) by redesignating subparagraphs
(B) and (C) as subparagraphs (C) and
(D); and
(III) by inserting after
subparagraph (A), the following:
``(B) a 1A phase for the same purposes as the first
phase described under subparagraph (A) and intended to
increase accessibility to the program for new entrants
with proposals submitted pursuant to only SBIR open
topic announcements;''; and
(ii) by adding at the end following:
``(20) the term `Phase 1A' means the phase described in
paragraph (4)(B);''; and
(B) by amending subsection (pp) to read as follows:
``(pp) Phase 1A Awards.--
``(1) Sense of congress.--It is the sense of Congress
that--
``(A) Phase 1A funds will bring thousands of new
small business concerns committed to commercialization
of critical technologies into the SBIR program; and
``(B) in order for participating agencies to
benefit from the full scope of American innovation and
identify the most promising solutions to scale, Phase
1A awards should fund the strongest technologies in a
topic area regardless of--
``(i) the location of the small business
concern within the United States; or
``(ii) the educational background of the
principal investigator.
``(2) Authorization.--The head of each agency with an SBIR
program shall allocate not less than 1.5 percent of funding and
not more than 3 percent of funding for the SBIR program of the
agency to Phase 1A awards.
``(3) Solicitation.--A solicitation issued under this
subsection shall be conducted as an open topic announcement.
``(4) Eligibility.--A small business concern, including its
affiliates, spinouts, or subsidiaries, is eligible for an award
under this subsection only if such small business concern,
including its affiliates, spinouts, or subsidiaries, has not
previously received an SBIR or STTR award.
``(5) Proposal.--
``(A) In general.--A proposal submitted in response
to a solicitation under this subsection shall consist
of a report that is not more than 5 pages in length and
containing the criteria in clauses (i) through (iv) of
subparagraph (B).
``(B) Criteria.--
``(i) Identification of program.--The small
business concern shall describe the problem
that the proposal is intended to address for
the awarding agency and any commercial
customer.
``(ii) Description of solution.--The small
business concern shall describe the proposed
solution, including the technical basis for the
solution to demonstrate how the solution would
address the problem described in the proposal,
including the level of maturity of the solution
at the time of the proposal.
``(iii) Effects of the solution.--The small
business concern shall describe how adoption of
the proposed solution would produce potential
time savings, cost savings, risk reduction,
improvement of mission outcomes, or any other
beneficial effects for the awarding agency and
any commercial customer.
``(iv) Differentiation.--The small business
concern shall--
``(I) identify the state of
solutions in use at the time of the
proposal to address the problem
described in the proposal; and
``(II) explain how the proposed
solution is a unique and novel
solution.
``(v) Commercialization strategy.--The
small business concern shall--
``(I) describe how the small
business concern intends to fund the
proposed solution from sources other
than the award; and
``(II) explain the market for the
proposed solution, including the
intended Government and commercial end
users.
``(6) Award limits.--
``(A) Number of awards.--A small business concern
or principal investigator is eligible for not more than
one Phase 1A award.
``(B) Amount.--An award made under this subsection
shall be for not more than $40,000.
``(7) Notification of selection or non-selection.--Each
agency shall notify each small business concern of the award
decision of the agency on any proposal submitted by the small
business concern not later than 90 days after the date on which
the solicitation closes.
``(8) Application for phase ii award.--
``(A) Eligibility.--A small business concern that
receives a Phase 1A award shall be eligible to apply
for a Phase II award.
``(B) Use of funds.--A small business concern may
use funds from a Phase 1A award to develop a proposed
solution in pursuit of a subsequent proposal for a
Phase I award or a Phase II award.
``(9) Streamlined awards.--The head of each participating
agency shall implement streamlined processes and requirements
for submitting proposals and applying for solicitations for
Phase 1A awards.
``(10) Peer review requirement.--The head of a
participating agency may waive any applicable peer review
requirements for Phase 1A awards.''.
(2) Conforming amendments.--Section 9(e) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)) is amended--
(A) in paragraph (12)(A), by striking ``paragraph
(4)(B)'' and inserting ``paragraph (4)(C)''; and
(B) in paragraph (13)(A), by striking ``paragraph
(4)(C)'' and inserting ``paragraph (4)(D)''.
SEC. 202. COMBATING DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES IN THE SBIR AND STTR
PROGRAMS.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as amended by
this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(7)(C), by striking ``owned and
controlled by women or by socially or economically
disadvantaged individuals'' and inserting ``owned by
individuals who reside in rural areas'';
(2) in subsection (e)--
(A) in paragraph (18), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in paragraph (19), by striking the period at
the end and inserting a semicolon; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(21) the term `new entrants' means a small business
concern that has not received an SBIR or STTR award;
``(22) the term `rural area' means a county or other
political subdivision of a State that the Bureau of the Census
has defined as mostly rural or completely rural in the most
recent decennial census;'';
(3) in subsection (g)(8)(A)--
(A) by striking clause (iii);
(B) by redesignating clauses (iv), (v), and (vi) as
clauses (iii), (iv), and (v), respectively; and
(C) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by
striking ``a socially or economically disadvantaged
individual or has a socially or economically
disadvantaged individual'' and inserting ``an
individual who resides in a rural area or has an
individual who resides in a rural area or is a new
entrant'';
(4) in subsection (j)--
(A) by adjusting the margins for paragraphs (2) and
(3) 2 ems to the left; and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) by striking subparagraph (F);
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (G),
(H), and (I) as subparagraphs (F), (G), and
(H), respectively; and
(iii) in subparagraph (H), as so
redesignated, by striking ``subparagraph (H)''
and inserting ``subparagraph (G)'';
(5) in subsection (k)(1)(F)--
(A) by striking clause (ii);
(B) by redesignating clauses (iii), (iv), and (v)
as clauses (ii), (iii), and (iv), respectively; and
(C) in clause (ii), as so redesignated, by striking
``a socially or economically disadvantaged individual
or has a socially or economically disadvantaged
individual'' and inserting ``an individual who resides
in a rural area or has an individual who resides in a
rural area or is a new entrant'';
(6) in subsection (o)(9)(A)--
(A) by striking clause (iii);
(B) by redesignating clauses (iv), (v), and (vi) as
clauses (iii), (iv), and (v), respectively; and
(C) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by
striking ``a socially or economically disadvantaged
individual or has a socially or economically
disadvantaged individual'' and inserting ``an
individual who resides in a rural area or has an
individual who resides in a rural area or is a new
entrant''; and
(7) in subsection (mm)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``and until September 30,
2025''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``or
abuse to ensure compliance'' and inserting
``abuse, or adversarial influence to ensure
compliance'';
(B) in paragraph (2)(A), by striking ``to carry out
the policy directive required under subsection
(j)(2)(F) and'' and inserting ``to increase the
participation of States with respect to which a low
level of SBIR awards have historically been awarded'';
and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) Eligibility.--An agency may use the funds allocated
to the SBIR program of such agency under this subsection only
if such agency does not--
``(A) consider the race, gender, or ethnicity of
the principal investigator, founder, or key personnel
of the small business concern applying for an SBIR or
STTR award in an award decision under the SBIR or STTR
program of the agency;
``(B) require or consider a statement or plan to
promote diversity or equity as part of an application
for an SBIR or STTR award under the SBIR or STTR
program of the agency; or
``(C) offer supplemental funds to a recipient of an
SBIR or STTR award based on the race, gender, or
ethnicity of the principal investigator, founder, or
key personnel of a small business concern.''.
SEC. 203. DISCLOSURES AND PROHIBITIONS RELATING TO CERTAIN AGREEMENTS
WITH ENTITIES ENGAGING IN CENSORSHIP.
(a) Disclosure for SBIR Applicants.--Section 9(g)(13) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)(13)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the semicolon at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) a current or pending agreement with--
``(i) NewsGuard Technologies, Inc. (doing
business as `NEWSGuard');
``(ii) Disinformation Index, Inc.,
Disinformation Index, Ltd., or Global
Disinformation Index gUG (collectively doing
business as `Global Disinformation Index');
``(iii) Internews; or
``(iv) an entity that engages in operations
or activities, or produces products, the
function of which is to demonetize or rate the
credibility of a domestic entity (including
news and information outlets) based on lawful
speech of such domestic entity under the stated
function of `fact-checking' or otherwise
exposing or correcting misinformation,
disinformation, or misinformation;''.
(b) Prohibition on SBIR Awards.--Paragraph (16) of section 9(g) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)), as redesignated by section
402, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(G) the small business concern submitting the
proposal or application has a current or pending
agreement with--
``(i) NewsGuard Technologies, Inc. (doing
business as `NEWSGuard');
``(ii) Disinformation Index, Inc.,
Disinformation Index, Ltd., or Global
Disinformation Index gUG (collectively doing
business as `Global Disinformation Index');
``(iii) Internews; or
``(iv) an entity that engages in operations
or activities, or produces products, the
function of which is to demonetize or rate the
credibility of a domestic entity (including
news and information outlets) based on lawful
speech of such domestic entity under the stated
function of `fact-checking' or otherwise
exposing or correcting misinformation,
disinformation, or misinformation;''.
(c) Disclosure for STTR Applicants.--Section 9(o)(17) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(o)(17)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (G), by striking the semicolon at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(H) a current or pending agreement with--
``(i) NewsGuard Technologies, Inc. (doing
business as `NEWSGuard');
``(ii) Disinformation Index, Inc.,
Disinformation Index, Ltd., or Global
Disinformation Index gUG (collectively doing
business as `Global Disinformation Index');
``(iii) Internews; or
``(iv) an entity that engages in operations
or activities, or produces products, the
function of which is to demonetize or rate the
credibility of a domestic entity (including
news and information outlets) based on lawful
speech of such domestic entity under the stated
function of `fact-checking' or otherwise
exposing or correcting misinformation,
disinformation, or misinformation;''.
(d) Prohibition on STTR Awards.--Paragraph (20) of section 9(o) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(o)(20)), as redesignated by
section 402, is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(G) the small business concern submitting the
proposal or application has a current or pending
agreement with--
``(i) NewsGuard Technologies, Inc. (doing
business as `NEWSGuard');
``(ii) Disinformation Index, Inc.,
Disinformation Index, Ltd., or Global
Disinformation Index gUG (collectively doing
business as `Global Disinformation Index');
``(iii) Internews; or
``(iv) an entity that engages in operations
or activities, or produces products, the
function of which is to demonetize or rate the
credibility of a domestic entity (including
news and information outlets) based on lawful
speech of such domestic entity under the stated
function of `fact-checking' or otherwise
exposing or correcting misinformation,
disinformation, or misinformation;''.
(e) Conforming Amendments.--
(1) SBIR awards.--Paragraph (19)(A) of section 9(g) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g)), as so redesignated by
section 402, is amended by striking ``through (G)'' and
inserting ``through (H)''.
(2) STTR awards.--Paragraph (23)(A) of section 9(o) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(o)), as so redesignated by
section 402, is amended by striking ``through (G)'' and
inserting ``through (H)''.
SEC. 204. CONNECTING SBIR AND STTR AWARDEES AND SMALL BUSINESS
INVESTMENT COMPANIES.
Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1))
is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (J), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (K), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(L) connecting SBIR and STTR awardees with small
business investment companies (as defined under section
103 of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15
U.S.C. 662)) and other domestic private investors.''.
SEC. 205. AGENCY OUTREACH TO RURAL COMMUNITIES.
(a) Agency Outreach.--Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(1) in subsection (j), by adding at the end the following
new paragraphs:
``(5) Modification relating to rural outreach.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph,
the Administrator shall modify the policy directives issued
pursuant to this subsection to require each Federal agency
participating in the SBIR program to enhance the outreach
efforts of such Federal agency to rural communities to increase
the participation of small businesses concerns located in rural
communities in the SBIR program, including by ensuring that
such Federal agency--
``(A) conducts outreach efforts with respect to the
SBIR program in rural communities; and
``(B) when such Federal agency conducts such
outreach in an area served by a small business
development center, coordinates with such small
business development center.
``(6) Modification relating to rural outreach.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph,
the Administrator shall modify the policy directives issued
pursuant to this subsection to require the Administration to
place a special emphasis on small business concerns in rural
areas when conducting outreach related to the SBIR program,
including by ensuring that the Administration includes outreach
efforts in rural communities carried out by the Administration
with respect to the SBIR program.''; and
(2) in subsection (p), by adding at the end the following
new paragraph:
``(4) Modification relating to rural outreach.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph,
the Administrator shall modify the policy directive issued
pursuant to this subsection to require each Federal agency
participating in the STTR program to enhance the outreach
efforts of such Federal agency to rural communities to increase
the participation of small businesses concerns located in rural
communities in the STTR program, including by ensuring that
such Federal agency--
``(A) conducts outreach efforts with respect to the
STTR program in rural communities; and
``(B) when such Federal agency conducts such
outreach in an area served by a small business
development center, coordinates with such small
business development center.
``(5) Modification relating to rural outreach.--Not later
than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this paragraph,
the Administrator shall modify the policy directive issued
pursuant to this subsection to require the Administration to
place a special emphasis on small business concerns in rural
areas when conducting outreach related to the STTR program,
including by ensuring that the Administration includes outreach
efforts in rural communities carried out by the Administration
with respect to the STTR program.''.
(b) Modification of Current Directives.--Section 9(j)(2) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(j)(2)), as amended by section
202(4)(B), is amended by revising subparagraph (F) to read as follows:
``(F) enhanced outreach efforts to increase the
participation of small business concerns that have
never participated in Federal research and development
to develop innovative technologies, with a special
emphasis on small business concerns in rural areas;''.
TITLE III--STREAMLINING PARTICIPATION IN THE SBIR AND STTR PROGRAMS
SEC. 301. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO OPEN TOPICS.
(a) Definition of Open Topic Announcement.--Section 9(e) of the
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)), as amended by section 202(2), is
further amended by adding at the end the following:
``(23) the term `open topic announcement' means a
solicitation for SBIR or STTR proposals that--
``(A) is a generalized problem statement or broad
technology area and does not contain any language
requiring that the solutions that a small business
concern proposes adhere to specific technological
specifications; and
``(B) evaluates the ability of the solution
proposed by the small business concern to meet the
stated innovation need of the agency or Government end
user; and''.
(b) Program on Innovation Open Topics.--Section 9(ww) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1)--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
striking ``Secretary of Defense'' and inserting ``head
of each participating agency''; and
(B) by striking ``the Department of Defense'' each
place it appears and inserting ``such participating
agency'';
(2) in paragraph (2)--
(A) by striking ``Secretary of Defense'' and
inserting ``head of each participating agency'';
(B) by striking ``each component of'' and inserting
``such participating agency and, with respect to''; and
(C) by inserting ``, each component thereof,''
before ``per fiscal year''; and
(3) by striking paragraph (3).
SEC. 302. REDUCING ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN.
Section 9(jj) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(jj)), as
amended by section 201(a)(1), is further amended by adding at the end
the following:
``(4) Reducing administrative burden.--
``(A) Limit on submissions to a solicitation.--A
small business concern, including its affiliates,
spinouts, or subsidiaries, may not submit more than 10
proposals to a single Phase I solicitation or a single
Phase II solicitation under subsection (cc).
``(B) Limit on submissions in a single year.--A
small business concern, including its affiliates,
spinouts, or subsidiaries, may not submit more than a
combined total of 25 proposals to Phase I solicitations
or Phase II solicitations under subsection (cc)
published by a single agency, including the components
of the agency, in a single fiscal year.''.
TITLE IV--PROTECTING AMERICAN INNOVATION FROM ADVERSARIAL INFLUENCE
SEC. 401. DEFINITION OF FOREIGN RISK.
Section 9(e) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)), as
amended by section 301, is further amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(24) the term `foreign risk' means, in the past 10 years,
any foreign affiliation, technology licensing agreement, joint
venture, contractual or financial obligation (pending or
otherwise), investment agreement, research relationship
(including co-authorship), or business relationship between--
``(A) a small business concern (including all
subsidiaries, spinouts, and affiliates) submitting a
proposal for an SBIR or STTR program, and covered
individuals, owners, or other key personnel of the
small business concern; and
``(B) an individual, research institution, business
entity, government, or government-owned entity in a
foreign country of concern that is disclosed, as
required under subsection (g) or subsection (o), or
otherwise identified in the due diligence process, as
required under subsection (vv).''.
SEC. 402. BOLSTERING RESEARCH SECURITY OF SBIR AND STTR AWARDS.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as amended by
this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (15), (16), and
(17) as paragraphs (16), (18), and (19), respectively;
(B) by inserting after paragraph (14) the
following:
``(15) evaluate whether a small business concern presents a
risk to national security for any reason, through measures
including--
``(A) the due diligence process required under
subsection (vv);
``(B) disclosures submitted under this subsection;
or
``(C) coordination with the Inspector General of
the agency or the intelligence community (as defined
under section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947
(50 U.S.C. 3003));'';
(C) in paragraph (16), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking subparagraph (B);
(ii) by striking ``that--'' and all that
follows through ``the small business concern
submitting'' and inserting ``that the small
business concern submitting'';
(iii) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii),
and (iii) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C),
respectively, and adjusting the margins
accordingly;
(iv) in subparagraph (B), as so
redesignated, by striking ``or'' at the end;
(v) in subparagraph (C), as so
redesignated, by striking ``and'' at the end;
and
(vi) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) has a foreign risk connecting the small
business concern to an entity, including any
affiliates, spinouts, or subsidiaries of the entity, or
individual on one or more of the following lists:
``(i) the UFLPA Entity List maintained by
the Department of Homeland Security;
``(ii) the Non-SDN Chinese Military-
Industrial Complex Companies List of the Office
of Foreign Assets Control maintained by the
Department of the Treasury;
``(iii) the Section 889 Prohibition List
established under section 889 of the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) and
maintained by the Department of Defense;
``(iv) the list of Chinese Military
companies required under section 1260H of the
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public
Law 116-283) and maintained by the Department
of Defense;
``(v) the Military End User List maintained
by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the
Department of Commerce;
``(vi) the Entity List maintained by the
Bureau of Industry and Security of the
Department of Commerce;
``(vii) the List of Equipment and Services
maintained by the Federal Communications
Commission; and
``(viii) the Withhold Release Orders and
Findings List maintained by U.S. Customs and
Border Protection;
``(E) has a foreign risk with a primary source that
is classified;
``(F) has a foreign risk or another national
security risk not listed in statute or regulatory
guidance that an agency determines warrants a denial;
or'';
(D) by inserting after paragraph (16), as so
redesignated, the following:
``(17) not, and any personnel of the Federal agency
including technical points of contact shall not, communicate to
an applicant prior to formal notification of an award decision
that an application was denied due to a foreign risk;''; and
(E) in paragraph (19), as so redesignated--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``paragraph (16)(A)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(18)(A)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``paragraph (16)(B)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(18)(B)''; and
(2) in subsection (o)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (19), (20), and
(21) as paragraphs (20), (22), and (23), respectively;
(B) by inserting after paragraph (18) the
following:
``(19) evaluate whether a small business concern presents a
risk to national security for any reason, through measures
including--
``(A) the due diligence process required under
subsection (vv);
``(B) disclosures submitted under this subsection;
or
``(C) coordination with the Inspector General of
the agency or the intelligence community (as defined
under section 3 of the National Security Act of 1947
(50 U.S.C. 3003));'';
(C) in paragraph (20), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking subparagraph (B);
(ii) by striking ``that--'' and all that
follows through ``the small business concern
submitting'' and inserting ``that the small
business concern submitting'';
(iii) by redesignating clauses (i), (ii),
and (iii) as subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C),
respectively, and adjusting the margins
accordingly;
(iv) in subparagraph (B), as so
redesignated, by striking ``or'' at the end;
(v) in subparagraph (C), as so
redesignated, by striking ``and'' at the end;
and
(vi) by adding at the end the following:
``(D) has a foreign risk connecting the small
business concern to an entity, including any
affiliates, spinouts, or subsidiaries of the entity, or
individual on one or more of the following lists:
``(i) the UFLPA Entity List maintained by
the Department of Homeland Security;
``(ii) the Non-SDN Chinese Military-
Industrial Complex Companies List of the Office
of Foreign Assets Control maintained by the
Department of the Treasury;
``(iii) the Section 889 Prohibition List
established under section 889 of the John S.
McCain National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2019 (Public Law 115-232) and
maintained by the Department of Defense;
``(iv) the list of Chinese Military
companies required under section 1260H of the
William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public
Law 116-283) and maintained by the Department
of Defense;
``(v) the Military End User List maintained
by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the
Department of Commerce;
``(vi) the Entity List maintained by the
Bureau of Industry and Security of the
Department of Commerce;
``(vii) the List of Equipment and Services
maintained by the Federal Communications
Commission; and
``(viii) the Withhold Release Orders and
Findings List maintained by U.S. Customs and
Border Protection;
``(E) has a foreign risk with a primary source that
is classified;
``(F) has a foreign risk or another national
security risk not listed in statute or regulatory
guidance that an agency determines warrants a denial;
or'';
(D) by inserting after paragraph (20) the
following:
``(21) not, and any personnel of the Federal agency
including technical points of contact shall not, communicate to
an applicant prior to formal notification of an award decision
that an application was denied due to a foreign risk;''; and
(E) in paragraph (23), as so redesignated--
(i) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``paragraph (20)(A)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(22)(A)''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``paragraph (20)(B)'' and inserting ``paragraph
(22)(B)''.
SEC. 403. STRENGTHENING THE DUE DILIGENCE PROGRAM TO ASSESS SECURITY
RISKS.
Section 9(vv)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(vv)(2))
is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) examine any relationship of a small business
concern seeking an award to any entity or individual
included on the lists, as published on the date of the
closing of the solicitation, described under
subsections (g)(16)(D) and (o)(20)(D).''.
SEC. 404. STRENGTHENING AGENCY RECOVERY AUTHORITY.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as amended by
this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (g)(18), as redesignated by section 402--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``, as adjusted for inflation according to
the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics,'' after ``amounts'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by inserting ``during the 10-year
period beginning on the date of the award, or
during a longer or indefinite period as
determined by the head of the awarding agency
as necessary for national security,'' before
``the small business concern''; and
(ii) by striking ``or'' at the end;
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by inserting ``during the 10-year
period beginning on the date of the award, or
during a longer or indefinite period as
determined by the head of the awarding agency
as necessary for national security,'' before
``there is a change''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) during the 5-year period beginning on the
date of the award, or during a longer or indefinite
period as determined by the head of the awarding agency
as necessary for national security, the small business
concern sells, leases, or provides (through joint
research, technological licensing, or otherwise)
intellectual property that was developed, wholly or in
part, using an SBIR award to a foreign entity or
individual unless the foreign entity or individual is
incorporated in or a citizen of a country that is a
member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or a
major non-NATO ally, as described under section 2321k
of title 22, United States Code; or
``(D) during the 10-year period beginning on the
date of the award, or during a longer or indefinite
period as determined by the head of the awarding agency
as necessary for national security, the small business
concern sells, leases, or provides (through joint
research, technological licensing, or otherwise)
intellectual property that was developed, wholly or in
part, using an SBIR award to an entity, government, or
individual in a foreign country of concern; and''; and
(2) in subsection (o)(22), as redesignated by section 402--
(A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by
inserting ``, as adjusted for inflation according to
the Consumer Price Index published by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics,'' after ``amounts'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by inserting ``during the 10-year
period beginning on the date of the award, or
during a longer or indefinite period as
determined by the head of the awarding agency
as necessary for national security,'' before
``the small business concern''; and
(ii) by striking ``or'' at the end;
(C) in subparagraph (B)--
(i) by inserting ``during the 10-year
period beginning on the date of the award, or
during a longer or indefinite period as
determined by the head of the awarding agency
as necessary for national security,'' before
``there is a change''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(D) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) during the 5 year period beginning on the
date of the award, or during a longer or indefinite
period as determined by the head of the awarding agency
as necessary for national security, the small business
concern sells, leases, or provides (through joint
research, technological licensing, or otherwise)
intellectual property that was developed, wholly or in
part, using an STTR award to a foreign entity or
individual unless the foreign entity or individual is
incorporated in or a citizen of a country that is a
member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization or a
major non-NATO ally, as described under section 2321k
of title 22, United States Code; or
``(D) during the 10-year period beginning on the
date of the award, or during a longer or indefinite
period as determined by the head of the awarding agency
as necessary for national security, the small business
concern sells, leases, or provides (through joint
research, technological licensing, or otherwise)
intellectual property that was developed, wholly or in
part, using an STTR award to an entity, government, or
individual in a foreign country of concern; and''.
SEC. 405. BEST PRACTICES ON INVESTOR INFORMATIONAL RIGHTS.
Section 9(uu) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(uu)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(uu) Best Practices on Investor Informational Rights.--
``(1) In general.--The Administrator, in coordination with
the heads of all agencies with an SBIR program, the Director of
the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, and
the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, shall
develop best practices to be shared with each recipient of an
SBIR or STTR award by the agency granting the award.
``(2) Contents.--The best practices developed under
paragraph (1) shall include recommendations for protecting the
proprietary technology and intellectual property of the small
business concern from being shared unintentionally to foreign
individuals and entities through informational rights of
limited partners in venture capital, hedge fund, or private
equity firms that have investments in SBIR or STTR
recipients.''.
SEC. 406. GAO REPORT.
Paragraph (4) of section 4(b) of the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of
2022 (Public Law 117-183; 136 Stat. 2194) is amended to read as
follows:
``(4) GAO report.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 18 months after
the date of enactment of the INNOVATE Act, and annually
thereafter under September 30, 2028, the Comptroller
General of the United States shall conduct a study and
submit to the Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship and the Committee on Armed Services of
the Senate and the Committee on Small Business, the
Committee on Armed Services, and the Committee on
Science, Space, and Technology of the House of
Representatives a report on the implementation and best
practices of the due diligence programs established
under section 9(vv) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 638(vv)) across Federal agencies required to
establish an SBIR or STTR program.
``(B) Study.--The study shall evaluate--
``(i) the effectiveness of each Federal
agency that participates in the SBIR program or
STTR program in identifying--
``(I) enhanced risk in
cybersecurity practices in SBIR and
STTR projects;
``(II) enhanced risk in patents,
including co-authorship with academics
in foreign countries of concern in SBIR
and STTR projects;
``(III) enhanced foreign influence
risk among employees of small business
concerns involved in SBIR and STTR
projects;
``(IV) foreign ownership of a small
business concern seeking an award,
including the financial ties and
obligations (which shall include
surety, equity, and debt obligations)
in SBIR and STTR projects; and
``(V) security risks among
applicants to the SBIR program or the
STTR program, including connections to
an entity, including any affiliates,
spinouts, or subsidiaries of the
entity, or individual on one or more of
the lists referenced in paragraph
(16)(D) of section 9(g) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(g));
``(ii) by year, the number of proposals and
number of small business concerns with foreign
risks by each Federal agency that participates
in the SBIR program or STTR program, including
a delineation of how many of those small
business concerns have previously received an
award under the SBIR program or STTR program
and the nature of those foreign risks made by
each Federal agency; and
``(iii) the extent to which the Inspector
General and counterintelligence authorities of
each Federal agency that participates in the
SBIR or STTR program effectively conducts
investigations, audits, inspections, and
outreach relating to the due diligence program
to assess security risks in the SBIR or STTR
program.''.
TITLE V--SIMPLIFYING SBIR-STTR STANDARDS
SEC. 501. IMPROVING DIRECT TO PHASE II AUTHORITIES.
Section 9(cc) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(cc)) is
amended to read as follows:
``(cc) Phase Flexibility.--
``(1) Awarding a phase ii award absent a phase i award.--
Each agency with an SBIR program may provide to a small
business concern an award under Phase II of the SBIR program
with respect to a project, without regard to whether the small
business concern was provided an award under Phase I of an SBIR
program with respect to such project, if the head of the agency
determines that the small business concern has completed the
determinations described in subsection (e)(4)(A) with respect
to such project despite not having been provided a Phase I
award.
``(2) Limitations on awards.--
``(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), the head of each agency with an SBIR
program may award not more than 10 percent of the funds
allocated for the SBIR program of the agency in a given
fiscal year under the authority of this subsection.
``(B) National institutes of health and department
of defense.--The Director of the National Institutes of
Health may award not more than 30 percent of the funds
allocated for the SBIR program of the National
Institutes of Health in a given fiscal year and the
Secretary of Defense may award not more than 30 percent
of the funds allocated for the SBIR program of each
component in the Department of Defense in a given
fiscal year under the authority of this subsection.
``(C) Limit on eligibility for awards.--An agency
may not make an award under this subsection to a small
business concern, including its affiliates, spinouts,
and subsidiaries, that has received more than 25 Phase
II awards.
``(D) Limit on number of awards.--An agency may
make not more than 25 awards under this subsection to a
small business concern, including its affiliates,
spinouts, and subsidiaries.''.
SEC. 502. IMPROVING SBIR AND STTR DATA COLLECTION.
(a) Additional Data Fields in SBIR Database.--Section 9(k)(1) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(k)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (E)(iv), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(2) in subparagraph (F)(v), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(G) for each award granted, whether the award is
classified or designated as--
``(i) Phase 1A, under subsection (pp);
``(ii) direct to Phase II, under subsection
(cc);
``(iii) subsequent Phase II, under
subsection (bb)(1);
``(iv) strategic breakthrough award under
subsection (ff)(3);
``(v) Phase III prime contract award; or
``(vi) Phase III subcontract award.''.
(b) Improving FPDS Data Tracking.--
(1) In general.--The Administrator of General Services
shall update the Federal Procurement Data System described in
section 1122(a)(4) of title 41, United States Code, or any
successor system, to--
(A) require reporting on whether an award under the
SBIR or STTR program is classified or designated as--
(i) Phase 1A, under subsection (pp) of
section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
638), as amended by this Act;
(ii) direct to Phase II, under subsection
(cc) of such section;
(iii) subsequent Phase II, under subsection
(bb)(1) of such section;
(iv) a strategic breakthrough award under
subsection (ff)(3) of such section;
(v) a Phase III prime contract award; or
(vi) a Phase III subcontract award;
(B) require reporting on whether a contract is
designated as a Phase III contract; and
(C) allow a Government contracting officer, when
recording a Phase II or Phase III contract following on
from work done by a small business concern during a
Phase I or Phase II award to reference an SBIR or STTR
contract identification number for relevant prior SBIR
or STTR work done.
(2) No new funds.--No additional funds are authorized to be
appropriated for the purpose of carrying out this subsection.
SEC. 503. STREAMLINING PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as amended by
this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (bb)(3), by inserting ``or another
component of the same Federal agency'' after ``another Federal
agency'';
(2) in subsection (gg)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Pilot Program''
and inserting ``Commercialization Readiness Program'';
(B) by striking ``pilot'' each place the term
appears;
(C) by striking paragraph (7);
(D) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph
(7); and
(E) by amending paragraph (7), as so redesignated,
to read as follows:
``(7) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `covered
Federal agency'--
``(A) means a Federal agency participating in the
SBIR program or the STTR program; and
``(B) does not include the Department of
Defense.'';
(3) in subsection (hh)--
(A) by striking ``Funding.--'' and all that follows
through ``Federal agencies participating'' and
inserting ``Funding.--Federal agencies participating'';
and
(B) by striking paragraph (2);
(4) in subsection (ii)(2)(B)--
(A) in clause (ii), by adding ``and'' at the end;
(B) in clause (iii), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a period; and
(C) by striking clause (iv);
(5) in subsection (qq)(3), by striking subparagraph (I);
(6) in subsection (vv)(3), by striking subparagraph (C);
(7) in subsection (yy)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Pilot'';
(B) by striking ``STTR Program.--'' and all that
follows through ``Not later than'' and inserting ``STTR
Program.--Not later than'';
(C) by striking paragraph (2); and
(D) by striking ``pilot''; and
(8) in subsection (zz)--
(A) in the subsection heading, by striking
``Pilot'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the paragraph heading, by striking
``pilot'' and inserting ``program'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking
``3.25'' and inserting ``3.50''; and
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by striking
``0.46'' and inserting ``0.21'';
(C) by striking paragraph (3); and
(D) by striking ``pilot'' each place the term
appears.
SEC. 504. EXTENDING SBIR AND STTR AUTHORIZATION.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), as amended by
this Act, is amended--
(1) in subsection (m), by striking ``2025'' and inserting
``2028''; and
(2) in subsection (n)(1)(A), by striking ``2025'' and
inserting ``2028''.
TITLE VI--MISCELLANEOUS
SEC. 601. TECHNICAL AMENDMENTS.
Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended--
(1) by striking ``small-business concerns'' each place it
appears and inserting ``small business concerns'';
(2) by striking ``Committee on Small Business of the
Senate'' each place it appears and inserting ``Committee on
Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate'';
(3) by striking ``Committee on Science and the'' each place
it appears and inserting ``Committee on Science, Space, and
Technology and the'';
(4) in subsection (d)(2), by striking ``small-business
firms'' and inserting ``small business concerns'';
(5) in subsection (e)(3), by inserting ``concern'' after
``small business'';
(6) in subsection (g)(4)(A), by striking ``SBIR proposals''
and inserting ``SBIR solicitations'';
(7) in subsection (g)(10), by striking ``,,'' and inserting
``,'';
(8) in subsection (g)(13)(A), by inserting ``malign''
before ``foreign talent recruitment program'';
(9) in subsection (o)(8), by striking ``,,'' and inserting
``,'';
(10) in subsection (o)(17)(A), by inserting ``malign''
before ``foreign talent recruitment program''; and
(11) in subsection (vv)(2)(B), by inserting ``subsection''
before ``(g)(13)''.
SEC. 602. REPEALS.
(a) Repeal of Obsolete Provision.--Subsection (tt) of section 9 of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(tt)) is repealed.
(b) Repeal of Redundant Provision.--Subsection (oo) section 9 of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(oo)) is repealed.
SEC. 603. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act, or the application of such provision
to any person or circumstance, is held to be invalid, the remainder of
the Act, and the application of the remaining provisions, shall not be
affected.
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