Department of Education Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IB 2025: Solicitation
ID: 91990025R0003Type: Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

EDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION, DEPARTMENT OFCONTRACTS AND ACQUISTIONS MANAGEMENWASHINGTON, DC, 20202, USA

NAICS

Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (541720)

PSC

EDUCATION, TRAINING, EMPLOYMENT, & SOCIAL SVCS R&D SVCS; EDUCATION SVCS R&D; BASIC RESEARCH (AF11)

Set Aside

Total Small Business Set-Aside (FAR 19.5) (SBA)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/b62356ca6377443395da53db9f47627e/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Education is soliciting proposals for its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IB program for fiscal year 2025, aimed at supporting small businesses in developing new components for existing education technology products. The program seeks to enhance research-based educational tools by integrating distinct, innovative components, with successful projects potentially qualifying for a subsequent Phase II award of $1,000,000. This initiative is critical for addressing educational needs through advanced technology solutions, and each awarded contract will provide $250,000 over a performance period of nine months. Proposals are due by January 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. EST, and interested parties can reach out to David Yadeta at david.yadeta@ed.gov or Dayna Myers at dayna.myers@ed.gov for further information.

    Point(s) of Contact
    David Yadeta
    david.yadeta@ed.gov
    Dayna Myers
    dayna.myers@ed.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    91990025R0003 SBIR Phase.IB.Final.docx
    The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences (IES) is seeking proposals for its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Phase IB. This program offers $250,000 contracts over nine months for small businesses to develop and evaluate a new component that integrates with an existing education technology prototype or product. Successful Phase IB projects may qualify for a $1,000,000 Phase II award. The solicitation, RFP Number 91990025R0003, was issued on November 8, 2024, with proposals due by January 8, 2025. This phase focuses on strengthening existing research-based education technology by adding distinct, new components. Proposals must demonstrate the existing product is research-based and that the new component utilizes a different technological approach. A YouTube video demonstration and an agreement letter from an education setting are required. The budget is capped at $250,000, with specific allocations for the prime contractor and subcontractors.
    91990025R0003 SBIR Phase.IB.Final.pdf
    The U.S. Department of Education's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, administered by the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), is issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) for its FY 2025 Phase IB program. This solicitation, RFP Number 91990025R0003, seeks proposals from eligible for-profit small businesses to develop a new component for integration into an existing education technology prototype or product. Successful Phase IB projects, awarded $250,000 for a nine-month period, will be eligible for a subsequent $1,000,000 Phase II award. The program aims to strengthen existing research-based education technology to address critical educational needs. Proposals are due by January 8, 2025, 11:00 a.m. EST. Key requirements include demonstrating the existing product is research-based, the new component is distinct, and the technological approach for the new component is novel. The RFP details proposal content, submission instructions, evaluation criteria, and important dates.
    91990025R0003.ResponsestoQuestions.docx
    This amendment addresses clarification questions for the Small Business Innovation Research Program Phase IB (Solicitation #91990025R0003). Key points include: email attachment size restrictions (max 25 MB); the Department of Education (ED/IES SBIR) does not provide sample applications but advises using the solicitation's Section A table as a template; ED/IES SBIR personnel cannot offer technical assistance or answer specific qualification questions while solicitations are open; proposals must be submitted as PDFs via email; developing new education technology add-ons for third-party products is allowed, but suitability for Phase IB depends on prior development work; ED/IES has a legislative mandate and anticipates fully funding FY2025 opportunities; labor costs for personnel are common in budgets; and Contractor Security Liaison training is virtual with no in-person travel. Reviewers consider all project team skills, including TABA consultants, but an acronyms definition page is not recommended and would count towards the 10-page technical narrative limit. Figures and charts can use 10-point font if legible. Phase I awards are now 9 months, and a maximum of 3 letters of support for commercial pathways are allowed for Phase I proposals. The rationale for government support should explain both the new component's importance and the necessity of government funding.
    91990025R0003 SBIR Phase.IB.Final.docx
    The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences has issued a Phase IB solicitation under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program for fiscal year 2025. The focus is on developing new components to integrate with existing educational technology products over a nine-month period, with an award of up to $250,000. Eligible for-profit small businesses are encouraged to propose innovative solutions addressing pressing educational challenges. The solicitation aims to enhance existing educational technologies that are research-based. Proposals must demonstrate distinct technological advancements from prior prototypes or products, concentrating on improving functionality and educational outcomes. Key submission requirements include a project narrative, budget justification, and a letter of agreement from an educational institution for pilot studies. The submission deadline is January 8, 2025. Successful Phase I proposal winners may apply for Phase II funding of $1 million in 2026 for further development and commercialization. The highly competitive nature of this program, where only a small percentage of proposals receive funding, underscores the importance of innovative and impactful educational technologies.
    91990025R0003 SBIR Phase.IB.Final.pdf
    The U.S. Department of Education's Institute of Education Sciences has issued a Phase IB solicitation under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program for fiscal year 2025. The focus is on developing new components to integrate with existing educational technology products over a nine-month period, with an award of up to $250,000. Eligible for-profit small businesses are encouraged to propose innovative solutions addressing pressing educational challenges. The solicitation aims to enhance existing educational technologies that are research-based. Proposals must demonstrate distinct technological advancements from prior prototypes or products, concentrating on improving functionality and educational outcomes. Key submission requirements include a project narrative, budget justification, and a letter of agreement from an educational institution for pilot studies. The submission deadline is January 8, 2025. Successful Phase I proposal winners may apply for Phase II funding of $1 million in 2026 for further development and commercialization. The highly competitive nature of this program, where only a small percentage of proposals receive funding, underscores the importance of innovative and impactful educational technologies.
    Award Notification - 2025 SBIR Phase IB.docx
    This document is an award notification for the 2025 SBIR Phase IB contracts, resulting from solicitation #91990025R0003. Nine offerors have been awarded firm-fixed-price contracts of $250,000 each, with a performance period of eight months. The awardees include ObjectiveEd, TrueMark Systems Corp., Project Wayfinder, Inc., Sirius Thinking, Ltd., Gigantic Mechanic, GaiaXus LLC, Zenobia Therapeutics, Inc., Shoonya Digital, and T-Var EdTech, Inc. Each company's address and specific contract number are detailed. This notification outlines the successful bids for federal government contracts, indicating the distribution of funds for the specified program.
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