Commercialization Pilot Program
The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (P.L. 109-163, Section 252) authorizes a Commercialization Pilot Program (CPP) under the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of each Military Department. The purpose of the CPP is to accelerate the transition of SBIR-funded technologies to Phase III, especially into systems being developed, acquired and maintained for the warfighter. This can be done through activities that enhance the connectivity among SBIR-firms, prime contractors, and DoD science & technology and acquisition communities. It can also be accomplished by improving a SBIR firm's capability to provide the identified technology to the Department, directly or as a subcontractor.
The primary focus of SOCOM's CPP is to accelerate the transition of SBIR-funded technologies into systems being developed, acquired, and maintained for the SOF. SOCOM's CPP provides an overall assessment of a firm's ability to transition new technology into the military or private sectors in a competitive environment. It is for this reason that Phase I and Phase II commercialization plans are required as deliverables for SOCOM SBIR Topics. It is important to know early in the SBIR process whether a firm has a manufacturing strategy or has considered future available financing that is required to be successful at Phase III. To answer these and other business related questions, SOCOM employs business consultants with extensive and practical experience in the business world. The advice and recommendations of business consultants reduce the risk that needed technology will not successfully transition.
The SOCOM CPP is an important feature of a "We Promote Success" paradigm. SOCOM helps ensure the needed technology gets to SOF by carefully assessing the risk factors in a firm's ability to transition technology. Once the risks are identified, SOCOM has access to some resources that can assist firms become successful. Analyzing commercialization plans, company interviews, site visits, and active contract administration are some of the activities SOCOM uses to reduce the risk the technology will not transition to Phase III.