Join the Ohio Procurement Technical Assistance Center, DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), Small Business Administration (SBA), Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI), and theSouthern Ohio PTAC as we welcome representatives from DARPA as they discuss the opportunities for businesses with their SBIR and STTR programs.

Mrs. Jennifer Thabet, Director of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Small Business Programs Office (SBPO) provides an overview of DARPA and the agency’s Small Business Programs; including the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. Mrs. Thabet will cover what makes DARPA unique and how to get started with DARPA.

The Small Business Programs Office (SBPO) serves the small business community by creating an environment within DARPA that recognizes and utilizes small business as a primary source of innovative solutions. SBPO stimulates an ecosystem of small businesses to create and transition radical, game-changing technologies that benefit national security, the federal government and the commercial marketplace.

SBPO administers the DARPA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs, established by Congress to provide opportunities for small businesses to participate in Federal Government-sponsored research and development (R&D). The goals of the SBIR/STTR Programs are to: stimulate technological innovation; use small business to meet federal R&D needs; foster and encourage participation by socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns (SBCs) and by SBCs that are at least 51 percent owned and controlled by women; and increase private-sector commercialization of innovations derived from federal R&D, thereby increasing competition, productivity, and economic growth. These goals are in close alignment to the DARPA mission and as such the small business performers in DARPA’s SBIR/STTR programs serve as key contributors to and vital members of DARPA’s innovation ecosystem.

During this webinar you will learn the basics of how and what the State of Ohio Department of Administrative Services (ODAS) buys. Participate in this training to receive guidance on the following topics:
• How does the state of Ohio purchase goods and/or services?
• What is OhioBuys, and what can it do for my business?
• How do I find opportunities for my business?
• Who can I market my products and/or services to?
• How do I learn more about OhioBuys?
Also join this webinar to determine whether the State of Ohio may be a good fit for your business. A Q & A session will follow.

State officials discuss small business strategies and resources to better understand the statewide efforts for Small Business assistance;
• Susan Foltz, Director, Manufacturing Assistance Programs Office of Technology Investments
• James Laipply, Deputy Chief / SBDC State Director, Office of Small Business and Entrepreneurship
• Kelly Sanders, CPPO, CPPB, Chief Procurement Officer, Office of Procurement Services