On Jan. 10, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer performers were honored with the 2016 Tibbetts Award by the Small Business Administration for creating significant economic or social impact through the use of SBIR/STTR funding in a ceremony at the White House.

The Tibbetts Awards recognize those individuals, organizations, firms or projects that made a visible technological impact on the socio-economic front and exemplify the very best in SBIR achievements. Award winners are selected based on the economic impact of their technological innovation, and the extent to which that innovation served federal research and development needs, encouraged diverse participation and increased the commercialization of federal research.

"The SBIR/STTR program provides a venue through which high-risk research initiatives may be pursued without compromising the core research program," said J.R. Myers, USAMRMC SBIR project manager. "The program facilitates the transition of developed products back to the government or private sector markets, thereby maximizing the resource investment."

Of the firms that received recognition, the following have served as contributors to the Military Health System through the Army or the Defense Health Agency SBIR/STTR programs: FirstString Research; Lynntech, Inc.; Operative Experience, Inc.; Parabon Nanolabs, Inc.; Physical Sciences, Inc.; Stratatech Corporation; and Triton Systems.

The programs are administered by the SBA in collaboration with 11 federal agencies, which award over $2.5 billion annually in federal research and development funding. The USAMRMC SBIR office manages all Army SBIR and STTR program medical topics for the Army SBIR and STTR programs, as well as serving as the program management office for the DHA SBIR and STTR programs.

"By utilizing the SBIR/STTR programs, the USAMRMC gains access to cutting-edge solutions by partnering with agile small business performers," said Myers.