Emerging Issues: From SBIR/STTR to DPA Title III – An Overview of Federal Innovation Programs, Needs and Marketplace

Over the last several years, cybersecurity has been front and center and garnered most of DoD’s contractor’s time and energy as it should. Cybersecurity is a major issue that needs to be addressed but it is not the only issue. There are existing and evolving issues that DoD contractors need to know about and in many cases require affirmative actions related to compliance.

This series, WPI’s Emerging Issues Series, is intended as an information tool and resource for contract managers and those with a compliance function. The topics selected for the initial group of Webinars are just some of the important topics. Some have not held the spotlight like others but nevertheless they are important. Others, such as Innovation and AI have recently emerged and have shown that they are not just a passing curiosity but truly topics of importance that will continue to impact DoD policy and provide procurement opportunities. These topics included in our first group, are current topics that need attention and need to be addressed. We expect that over time other issues – topics will emerge and come to the forefront. As these topics are identified we will add them to this series.

The federal innovation ecosystem is comprised of many programs. There are agency specific needs and larger, more involved, and complex national needs and goals managed through the Defense Production Act Title III. SBIR/STTR programs are the most visible and most widely publicized. However, FAR 15.6 provides guidance on submitting unsolicited proposals, the CIA has a Venture Capital investing program – https://www.iqt.org/, and the Challenge.gov website – www.challenge.gov lists challenges for researchers, citizens, and students.  Additionally, many agencies have offices, programs and senior level positions dedicated to research and development and innovation which underscores the overall importance of innovation. This webinar will provide a broad overview of the federal innovation ecosystem and its opportunities.

Speaker: Marc Violante, Director, Federal Market Strategies, Wisconsin Procurement Institute

This webinar is eligible for 1 CPE credit.

For the list of Emerging Issues webinar, please click here.

WPI is Wisconsin’s APEX Accelerator