SBDC Webinar to Focus on Small Business Opportunities with DOD

Small-business owners in Wyoming have an opportunity to learn about business opportunities with the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).

A Wyoming Small Business Development Center (SBDC) webinar, titled “Support the U.S. Warfighter and Build Your Business with SBIR/STTR Assistance,” is scheduled Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 2-3 p.m. Participants will learn about the important differences among the dozen participating DOD components and how to best approach them; conduct background research to gain important advantages; and the critical importance of “dual-use” strategies. Most important, participants will learn how key partnerships -- with universities, prime contractors and DOD labs -- can enhance a small business’s capabilities and credibility to become much more successful.

The SBDC is a partnership among the University of Wyoming, the Wyoming Business Council and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBDC focuses on educating small-business owners and potential owners on how to successfully start and operate small businesses. The SBDC’s main office is located at UW.

Ray Friesenhahn, the SBIR and technology transition manager for TechLink and advanced technology scout for MilTech based at Montana State University, will present the webinar. Both organizations are DOD partnership intermediaries. Under Friesenhahn’s leadership, TechLink’s SBIR programs have served companies in more than 20 states, helping with effective commercialization/transition, while promoting strategic partnerships with universities, prime contractors and DOD laboratories. 

With a budget of more than $1 billion annually, the DOD has the largest Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program of any agency, with unmatched potential for follow-on contracting. Follow-on contracting means that there is the likelihood or possibility of additional contracts that relate to the initial contract. While all DOD priorities serve warfighter requirements, the diversity of technical needs presents opportunities for nearly every capable, innovative company.

“The U.S. Department of Defense offers numerous opportunities for small, innovative businesses to participate in various SBIR/STTR opportunities that can ultimately lead to product commercialization,” says Cindy Unger, business adviser for the SBDC. “Participants can learn more about these possibilities by attending this webinar Dec. 12.”

There is no fee for the webinar, but attendees must register at www.wyomingsbdc.org to obtain the link to the program.

Reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities will be made, if requested at least two weeks in advance. Language assistance services for clients with limited English proficiency will be provided. For more information, call Kelly Haigler-Cornish at (307) 766-2904.

The Wyoming SBDC Network is a business advising group of the Wyoming SBDC, Procurement Technical Assistance Center, Market Research Center and SBIR/STTR Initiative. The network’s mission is to help Wyoming entrepreneurs succeed. Advising and most market research activities are free of charge to Wyoming residents.

The SBDC is funded, in part, through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. SBA. Additional support is provided by the Wyoming Business Council and UW.

For more information, go to www.wyomingsbdc.org.