Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 3239
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:44:58Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The "Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act" (H.R. 3239) aims to strengthen the commercialization (turning research into marketable products) aspects of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These programs provide federal funding to small businesses for innovative research and development (R&D). The bill seeks to make it easier for award recipients to move innovations from early-stage research to real-world applications, while improving oversight and support.
Key Provisions
- Peer Review Enhancements (Section 2): Federal agencies must include the potential for commercialization in SBIR and STTR peer reviews, alongside scientific merit and feasibility. Reviews should, where possible, involve at least one expert in commercialization. Timelines for certain review processes are shortened from 1 year to 180 days.
- Phase Flexibility Expansion (Section 3): Agencies can provide flexible funding across SBIR/STTR phases (e.g., combining or adjusting phases for faster progress). This authority extends to fiscal years 2025–2027 for all agencies with these programs (previously limited to specific agencies through 2025). Funding limits are set at 10% of total program funds per agency (with exceptions: up to 30% for the National Institutes of Health and no limit for the Department of Defense). The Small Business Administration (SBA) must brief Congress on this authority within one year.
- Technology Commercialization Official (Section 4): Each participating federal agency must appoint a dedicated official (or identify an existing one) with commercialization experience. This official will guide awardees, identify technologies ready for further contracts (Phase III), coordinate across agencies, and submit annual reports to the SBA on commercialization progress and efforts to simplify application processes.
- Technical and Business Assistance Improvements (Section 5): Agencies must allow SBIR/STTR award recipients to choose their own providers for assistance services, including new additions like cybersecurity support. Recipients can use funds to hire or train staff. Funding caps increase: up to $6,500 per Phase I project (previously lower) and $50,000 per Phase II project. Agencies may conduct targeted reviews of how these funds are used.
- I-Corps Participation (Section 6): Agencies with an Innovation Corps (I-Corps) program—a training initiative to teach customer discovery and business skills—must offer SBIR/STTR recipients the option to participate. Costs can be covered by program grants, assistance funds, or other sources.
- Commercialization Impact Assessment (Section 7): The SBA, in coordination with agencies, must produce an annual report assessing commercialization outcomes for small businesses with 50 or more Phase II awards over the prior nine years. Metrics include federal contracts (beyond SBIR/STTR), revenues, additional investments, mergers, spin-off companies, patents, employee growth, and Phase III awards. This report will be included in the SBA's annual SBIR/STTR report and submitted to relevant congressional committees.
- Patent Assistance (Section 8): The SBA must partner with the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to create a prioritized patent examination program for SBIR/STTR recipients (speeding up patent approvals). The SBA and USPTO will also conduct outreach on USPTO's free legal help for self-represented inventors (Pro Se Assistance Program) and scam prevention services.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Timeline Reductions: Shortens review periods from 1 year to 180 days in SBIR (Section 9(g)) and STTR (Section 9(o)) subsections, accelerating decision-making.
- Broader Agency Participation: Expands phase flexibility from just the National Institutes of Health, Department of Defense, and Department of Education to all federal agencies with SBIR/STTR programs, with new funding caps and exceptions.
- Mandatory Commercialization Focus: Introduces requirements for commercialization expertise in peer reviews and designates agency officials specifically for this purpose—previously optional or absent.
- Increased and Flexible Assistance Funding: Raises Phase I and II assistance caps (e.g., Phase I from implied lower amounts to $6,500; Phase II to $50,000) and shifts from agency-vendor agreements to recipient choice, including staff hiring and cybersecurity.
- New Reporting and Assessments: Adds annual commercialization reports from agencies and a comprehensive SBA-led impact assessment, building on existing annual reporting under Section 9(b)(7).
- Patent Prioritization: Establishes a formal interagency agreement for expedited patents, expanding beyond general USPTO services.
These changes amend Section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), the core law governing SBIR/STTR programs.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities (e.g., appointing officials, conducting reviews, reporting metrics), but could lead to more efficient R&D-to-market transitions, potentially reducing long-term federal R&D costs by fostering self-sustaining innovations. Agencies like the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health may see higher commercialization rates due to tailored flexibilities.
- On Citizens and Small Businesses: Provides small innovative companies—often startups—with more tools, funding flexibility, and expertise to commercialize ideas, potentially creating jobs, new products, and economic growth. This could benefit entrepreneurs in tech, health, and defense sectors by lowering barriers to patents and market entry.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though enhanced U.S. innovation commercialization could strengthen global competitiveness in technology and R&D, indirectly affecting trade and partnerships.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Small Businesses and Innovators: Primary beneficiaries as SBIR/STTR award recipients, gaining better support for turning research into products.
- Federal Agencies: Including the SBA (oversight role), Department of Defense, National Institutes of Health, Department of Education, and others with SBIR/STTR programs (must implement changes and report outcomes).
- USPTO: Partners on patent services, potentially handling more expedited filings.
- Congressional Committees: House Committee on Small Business, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (receive reports and briefings).
- Vendors and Service Providers: Technical assistance firms, including those offering cybersecurity, intellectual property, and training, may see expanded opportunities.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens existing SBIR/STTR framework without altering core eligibility or funding allocations, but introduces enforceable mandates (e.g., official designations, reports) that could lead to compliance audits. The interagency patent agreement formalizes USPTO support, potentially streamlining intellectual property law application for small entities.
- Constitutional: No apparent conflicts; aligns with Congress's commerce clause authority to promote innovation and small business (Article I, Section 8). Enhances accountability through congressional reporting, upholding separation of powers.
- Political: Supports bipartisan goals of economic development and U.S. technological leadership, as introduced by representatives from both parties. Could influence future appropriations for SBIR/STTR (totaling billions annually) by demonstrating measurable commercialization success, potentially garnering more funding for small business programs amid debates on federal R&D spending.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Houlahan, Chrissy [D-PA-6]
Cosponsors (2)
Rep. Balderson, Troy [R-OH-12], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Recent Actions
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-07: Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committees on Science, Space, and Technology, and the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-05-07: Introduced in House
- 2025-05-07: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act — issued 2025-05-07 — PDF (14 pages)