The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a call for proposals for its fiscal year 2021 Small Business Innovation Research or SBIR program. The agency said it is providing a pre-solicitation “preview” of the 13 topics expected to be featured in its FY2021 program, with an opportunity to submit questions via the its SBIR Q&A website.

[Above photo by the USDOT.]

The program awards contracts in two phases, and recognizes a third phase leading up to commercialization.

“Small businesses are responsible for two-thirds of net new jobs created in America; this small business innovation research program will help small companies in the transportation sector to build the transportation system of the future,” said outgoing U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, in a statement.

The USDOT noted that topics expected to be funded in FY 2021 focus on applying innovation and technology to address research challenges in areas such as materials, infrastructure, and safety. The agency will also hold its second annual “Pitch Day” for the SBIR program; allowing small businesses selected as finalists to virtually “pitch” their proposal idea USDOT staff.