A Comparison of SBIR Investment Methods: AFWERX vs. Legacy

Abstract

The AFWERX Open Topic (AOT) program uses funding from the Unites States Air Forces (USAF) Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) budget to adapt commercial technology to USAF needs. This research is a comparison of processes and outcomes for AOT and legacy SBIR. Applying a legacy definition of commercialization on a sample of AOT contracts, we found AOTs commercialization to be 37 percent (compared to an 8.8 percent for legacy SBIR). Beyond performance, there are differences in the capabilities pursued, legacy SBIR invests at higher rates in the Force Application Joint Capability Areas (JCA) while AOT investment rates are higher in the Force Integration and Command and Control JCA.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 13, 2020
Accession Number
AD1102476

Entities

People

  • Evan A. Gist

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Business Administration
  • Command And Control
  • Commerce
  • Contracts
  • Investments
  • Small Business

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Systems Analysis and Design

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3