Federal agencies such as the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy are looking for companies to research and develop innovative products for them.
And plenty of Nevada small businesses could be looking to accommodate them.
In an effort to bring them all together, the Nevada Small Business Development Center and the Nevada Commission on Economic Development are co-sponsoring a free small business technology event on Monday, Sept.
22, at the Airport Plaza Hotel.
The event is a part of an outreach of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), a federal program that encourages the stimulation of technological advancement and interaction between federal agencies and small business.
The conference features representatives from several federal agencies reviewing criteria and requirements for prospective proposals.
In addition, it offers businesses the opportunity to have one-on-one discussions with agencies regarding new products they have developed.
One workshop will present a threestep process on how businesses can develop a successful research proposal and provide up to $5,000 in grants to prepare a company's SBIR proposal.
"We have this workshop primarily because some small businesses do not have experience in writing proposals," said Leroy Singleton, a representative of the SBIR.
Winnie Moore-Dowling, deputy state director for the NSBDC, said that so far 25 companies have signed up for the event and she is hopeful 75 businesses will attend.
Singleton said that companies may find luck with multiple agencies.
"In most cases, an idea will match at least three or four of these agencies," he said.
With more than $1 billion devoted to the program, Singleton called
SBIR "the largest source of early-stage technology funding in the United States." All agencies that invest at least $100 million into research and development must contribute a portion of that sum into the SBIR program.
The money that agencies allocate to companies comes in the form of contracts or grants.
Singleton and Moore- Dowling said none of the money is loaned to companies.
For example, if an agency likes a proposal, officials sign a contract or grant $100,000 over a six-month period for research on a product.
While Singleton said the program is an excellent opportunity for small businesses, they should not expect a longterm relationship with government agencies.
Also the program is not a tool to start a business.
"The government is not interested in becoming a partner with you," he said.
But, he added that federal agencies are interested in getting involved with small business.
In fact, the Reno event is one in a six-city bus tour of the western United States where federal agency representatives will solicit interaction with small businesses.
