NOMINATIONS OF TOPICS FOR SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH (SBIR) PROGRAM The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) invites nominations of topics for future solicitations for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) proposals. AHCPR, a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead agency charged with supporting research designed to improve the quality of health care, reduce its cost, and broaden access to essential services. AHCPR's broad programs of research bring practical, science-based information to medical practitioners and to consumers and other health care purchasers. AHCPR views small businesses as important partners in improving the quality, effectiveness, and appropriateness of health care delivery in the United States. Hence, as the Agency prepares for future solicitations for contract proposals for the SBIR program, this invitation is extended to the small business community and affiliates to provide ideas for topics. Through the SBIR program, small businesses may be in a strategic position to market work that is derivative of Agency-sponsored or Agency-performed research, e.g., outcomes instruments, the National Guideline Clearinghouse, quality measures that are used for health care plans or hospitals, risk adjuster programs, or disease management programs. AHCPR funds research through the following research centers: The Center for Practice and Technology Assessment directs the Evidence-based Practice Program, consisting of: (1) Evidence-based Practice Centers developing evidence reports and technology assessments; (2) the Internet-based National Guideline Clearinghouse; (3) the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force; and (4) research and evaluation on translating evidence-based findings into clinical practice. The Center for Outcomes and Effectiveness Research conducts and supports studies of the outcomes and effectiveness of diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive health care services and procedures. The Center for Primary Care Research conducts and supports studies of primary care, and clinical, preventive, and public health policies and systems. The Center for Organization and Delivery Studies conducts and manages studies of the structure, financing, organization, behavior, and performance of the health care system and providers within it. The Center for Cost and Financing Studies conducts and supports studies of the cost and financing of health care and develops data sets to support policy and behavioral research and analyses. The Center for Quality Measurement and Improvement conducts and supports research on the measurement and improvement of the quality of health care, including consumer surveys and satisfaction with health care services and systems. A small business may develop a research idea that fits within the framework of any one of the above-described research centers or, more broadly, responding to the mission of the Agency. The Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992 requires AHCPR and other agencies of the Public Health Service (PHS), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as certain other federal agencies to reserve 2.5 percent of their current fiscal year extramural budgets for research or research and development (R&D) for a SBIR program. The legislation is intended to: expand and improve the SBIR program; emphasize increased private sector commercialization of technology developed through federal SBIR R&D; increase small business participation in federal R&D; and foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in the SBIR program. The SBIR program consists of the following three phases: Phase I: The objective of this phase is to determine the scientific, technical, and commerical merit and feasibility of the proposed research or R&D efforts and the quality of performance of the small business concern, prior to providing further Federal support in Phase II. Phase I awards normally may not exceed $100,000 for direct costs, indirect costs, and profit for a periodnormally not to exceed 6 months. Phase II: The objective of this phase is to continue the research or R&D efforts intitiated in Phase I. Funding shall be based on the results of Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the Phase II proposal. Phase II awards normally may not exceed $750,000 for direct costs, indirect costs, and negotiated fixed fee for a period normally not to exceed 2 years, that is, generally a 2-year Phase II project may not cost more than $750,000 for that project. Only one Phase II award may be made for a single SBIR project. (Only Phase I contractors are eligible to apply for Phase II funding, and Phase II proposals may be submitted upon the requrest of the Contracting Officer only.) Phase III: The objective of this phase, where appropriate, is for the small business concern to pursue with non-federal funds the commercialization of the results of the research or R&D funded in Phases I and II. In some Federal agencies, Phase II may involve follow-on, non-SBIR funded R&D or production contracts for products or processes intended for use by the U.S. Government. Nominations and Selection Process: Nominations of topics for AHCPR to consider in its SBIR solicitation for proposals should take into account the Agency's mission and research objectives as well as the objectives and requirements of the SBIR program. Suggested topics should be described in one to two pages (including the concept, approaches, and resources). The AHCPR will review topic nominations and supporting information and determine final topics for publication in future SBIR solicitations for contract proposals. Materials Submission and Deadline: To be considered for the next group of Small Business Innovation Research Solicitation of Contract Proposals, topic nominations should be submitted by April 26, 1999, to: Francis D. Chesley, Jr., M.D., Acting Director, Office of Research Review, Education and Policy, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, 2101 East Jefferson Street, Executive Office Center, Suite 400, Rockville, Maryland 20852. Nominations will also be accepted on an ongoing basis at the above address for topics for subsequent SBIR solicitations. All responses will be available for public inspection at the Office of Research Review, Education, and Policy, telephone (301) 594-6048, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. AHCPR will not reply to individual responses, but will consider all nominations in selecting topics. Topics selected will be announced annually, typically in August or September, in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Solicitation of the Public Health Service for Small Business Innovation Research Contract Proposals, AHCPR press releases, and on the AHCPR Web site (www.ahcpr.gov). Additional information about topic nominations can be obtained by contacting: Martha Bryan, Ed.D., SBIR Coordinator, Office of Research Review, Education and Policy, Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, 2101 East Jefferson STreet, Executive Office Center, Suite 400, Rockville, Maryland 20852; telephone (301) 594-6061; e-mail address mbryan@ahcpr.gov. Posted 03/26/99 (W-SN313303).

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