10 Best Practices to Consider as Your SBIR Negotations Approach Contract Signature

10 Best Practices to consider as your SBIR negotiations approach contract signature:

1. Draft your confirmation of negotiations, be sure to memorialize that this is an SBIR type contract along with the applicable data rights and SBIR related terms and conditions.

2. Firm up the actual start date. There is not time to waste, everyday counts when your program's duration is only 6 or 9 months long!

3. Get into order system entry mode. A quick entry into the system assures no loss of valuable time in job performance!

4. Get your Julian calendar out. Convert relative days (i.e. 180 days after ?) to actual dates. Don't only use your CDRL's to extract due dates, some deliverables may be embedded in the SOW, schedule or term of your contract!

5. Don't forget to inform your IP dept (or whoever keeps track of your IP) what IP arrangements were negotiated. (If your company does not already co-locate this information in one central place, start organizing it now!) Documenting the evolution of your IP is critical to maintaining data rights.

6. Work out charge numbers with your accounting/finance department.

7. If applicable, close out any pre-contract cost charge numbers so you can effectively segregate the charges. This is an unlikely occurrence in the SBIR world, but still worth noting.

8. Start your subcontracting and consulting activities immediately, especially if they are starting the work at the same time as you or shortly thereafter. The race is on to get those PO's and subcontracts issued! With a short program duration, as in the case of an SBIR, there is not much time to get subs and consultant work going.

9. Communicate any security issues with your security officer/department.

10. Start organizing the volume of paper you have piled up during the life of this proposal and negotiation. If you don't do it now, you may never!

Lisa DeMaio is the president and founder of Virtual Contract Manager, LLC, which is a one-stop "information shop" for and about the Contract Management Community and the SBIR (Small Business Innovative Research) Program. Let Virtual Contract Manager coach you on how to integrate the SBIR program into your existing business. Come visit Virtual Contract Manager and get a wealth of FREE SBIR information on our Free Articles Page and to sign up for our content-rich monthly newsletter which features one article a month on the SBIR program. Let Virtual Contract Manager help you tap the federal market and help fund your research or innovative technology. http://www.virtualcontractmanager.com/

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


The Care and Feeding of Your Small Business

While I was hard at work last week, an everyday... Read More

Don?t Quit Before You Get to the City!

We were more than excited. Our women's doubles tennis team... Read More

Wichita KS; Anything is Possible in Wichita Business

Just when the entire state was kissing Wichita goodbye, economically... Read More

What Is YOUR Value Proposition?

Every company has a value proposition. That is a statement... Read More

Small Business - Is The Accounting Profession Ripping Them Off?

My 16 year-old daughter said, "Gee Dad! You look just... Read More

Business Debt Collection Letter Writing Secrets

Debt collection letters--an overview"Debt collection letter" in the singular may... Read More

Joint Venture Your Way to Extraordinary Sales!

You know what makes me really happy? Drinking a Starbucks... Read More

Creating a Paperless Office

When working from home, it is usual to find that... Read More

Small Business Support Equals Survival

Support is critical for your small business survival. You may... Read More

Racing the Competition

What is the Big Race all about when it comes... Read More

How to Avoid the Most Common Reasons for Small Business Failure

The life cycle of the typical small business is short... Read More

6 Ways Small Businesses Can Survive In A Crazy Economy

Contrary to popular belief, small businesses can survive a crazy... Read More

Home Based Franchise; What About Future Expansion?

As a franchisor I am always asked by new and... Read More

Where Can People Find Information About Starting A Business?

Approximately 200,000 new businesses are started each year. More people... Read More

Accounting Methods ? Cash and Accrual

When starting a business, you have to determine the method... Read More

7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking Power

CARD SHARK7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking PowerThe... Read More

Keeping Business Alive

Who is responsible for maintaining the business relationship?Nurturing a business... Read More

Expanding A Mobile Car Wash Business

What is the best time to expand a mobile car... Read More

Getting City Contracts; Local Government Contracting

All cities have a purchasing office and/or a procurement officer.... Read More

Small Business Failures in America - Cash Flow Issues

We are noticing an increase in the length of time... Read More

Expand Your Professional Organizer Business

Grow your Professional Organizer business by branching out into related... Read More

Starting a Mobile Auto Detailing Business; Dry Wash or Pressure Wash?

Many experienced auto detailing professionals who have started out using... Read More

Earn More Money in Your Small Business by Creating a PIG

If you really want to earn more money with your... Read More

Small Business Marketing Series ? Choosing a Niche Market

Many smaller businesses choose niche markets for various reasons and... Read More

Wichita Kansas is a Great Place to Run a Business

We love Wichita because it has great all round weather... Read More

6 Steps to a Successful Medical Spa Expansion

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, since... Read More

Debit and ATM Card Advice for Small Businesses

Your business account comes with an ATM, Debit card. Pick... Read More

Self Serve Car Washes in the United States

In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More

The Number of Pages in the UFOC in Franchising is Still Growing Today

Today required franchise disclosure documents are over 200 pages generally.... Read More

What is Rule 15c211 and Reverse Merger

Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S. securities broker or... Read More

(P)Refer to Grow Your Business

(Although this article is geared towards small business owners, the... Read More

Temporary Staffing Agency: How to Start

The temporary staffing industry continues to expand, with yearly double-digit... Read More

Franchise Buyers from Hell

I ran a franchise company for many years, a car... Read More