The Small Business Technology Council is seeking nominations to identify and honor the best Program Managers (PMs), Program Executive Officers (PEOs) and Contracting Officers (COs) in government for our 2nd annual “Champion of Small Business Technology Commercialization” Awards.
Last year, we honored 17 government officials from 10 different defense and civilian agencies for their work in helping high-tech small businesses through the process of pursuing commercialization/follow-on awards such as SBIR Phase III, Phase IIB/Bridge, or Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) award (or other post-Phase II commercialization contracts) at our annual membership meeting in Washington, DC.
2015 SBTC Champion of Small Business Technology Commercialization Awards
We know, based on our survey of Phase III and RIF companies, that lack of training and education of PMs, PEOs, and COs has been a serious and ongoing problem for small firms that do business with the government, particularly with regards to Phase III and commercialization contracts. However, we are also aware that there are many PMs, PEOs, and COs who are incredibly diligent, hardworking, and intelligent, and we want to use these awards as an opportunity to recognize their efforts. and shine a light on their work. We were blown away by the number of nominations we received last year, and the enthusiastic response from companies that wanted to show gratitude to government workers who have helped their company. While we continue to work with the agencies to improve their training, we also want to continue to highlight those in government who understand the challenges small businesses face and deserve to be commended for their work.
If your company has worked with a PM, PEO, or CO on a Phase III commercialization/follow-on contract, RIF, or source of commercialization funding, and you believe that person has made a unique and extraordinary effort in their work that deserves recognition and attention, please download & complete the nomination form, and send it to alec@sbtc.org by Friday, April 15. This form will take no more than 10 minutes of your time. The SBTC will then select the winners using an independent panel of experts, and recognize them at a small awards ceremony during our membership meeting this summer in Washington, DC.
Please click on the link below help us honor the PMs, PEOs, and COs that deserve recognition for their hard work:
Champion of Small Business Technology Commercialization Nomination Form