The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was reauthorized in December of 2000 for a period of 8 years (September 30, 2008). The reauthorization legislation included some significant enhancements to the program, one of which will provide additional small business data rights protection, and more a balanced program overall for small business concerns and the federal government. Another significant enhancement to the program was the establishment of the Federal and State Technology Partnership program or FAST. The legislation states that the SBA shall establish FAST to strengthen the technological competitiveness of small business concerns in states. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and the American Samoa are eligible to participate in the FAST program. FAST will be a competitive grants program, that will allow each state to receive funding in the form of a grant to provide an array of services in support of the SBIR program. Any individual, organization, or entity in a state is eligible to participate in the FAST program.
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