Wins for Small Business
As a council of NSBA, the Small Business Technology Council leads the fight for SBIR/STTR reauthorization, most recently brokering a deal in the Senate to advanced a bill to reinstate the programs for five years. Our leadership has been involved as the architect of seminal small-business policy supporting R&D and technology innovation, and we're shaping the next generation of small-business rules and regulations every day.
Here's a bit more on our successes so far.
NSBA, SBTC VICTORY FOR SBIR
On March 17, the House passed Senate-approved S. 3971 - legislation to reinstate SBIR/STTR programs through Sept. 30, 2031. After months of our members urging action to reauthorize these crucial funds, Congress finally moved, and we implore the President to take up and quickly sign S. 3971 into law.
Read the latest on NSBA and SBTC's victory for SBIR/STTR with passage of S. 3971
SBTC & NSBA Are Leading the Fight for SBIR/STTR Reauthorization and Permanency
SBIR/STTR are important programs providing critical funds supporting small business - the nation's most important economic community.
On March 17, Congress passed legislation to reinstate SBIR/STTR for five years, and we are urging the President to take up the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act and sign S. 3971 into law.
The longer this lapse lasts, the more damage is done to highly innovative small businesses, their employees, and every business in their pipeline.
4,000+ Companies
SBIR/STTR funds more than 4,000 companies per year, over 1,000 of which are new to government contracting.
22-33%
ROI
Economic impact studies show a $22-33 return for every dollar invested, depending on the agency.
1.5m Jobs
Created
SBIR/STTR programs generated 65,578 jobs per year over a
23-year period.
SBTC
Wins
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Brokered a compromise bill to reinstate SBIR/STTR program funds after five months of infighting between Senators
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Secured passage of SBIR/STTR programs (S. 3971) to reinstate funds through Sept. 30, 2031
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Raised concerns about the Department of Energy’s policy to limit indirect rates to 15 percent, with Congress ultimately reversing this policy by SBTC recommendation, reverting to negotiated indirect cost rates under the prior policy
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Published research showing STTR programs play a critical role in funding R&D in rural and underserved states
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Partnered with SMI and NEIA to successfully host the “Defend SBIR” Washington Fly-In, bringing small businesses nationwide to engage directly with Congress on the importance of SBIR/STTR, and culminating in a high-impact policy forum featuring experts, entrepreneurs, and keynote remarks from Sen. Markey (D-Mass.)
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Continuing to lead the fight in Washington for permanency for the critical SBIR/STTR programs
Priority Issues Achieved
Tax Relief
Just five months after NSBA's biennial Small Business Congress (SBC), where delegate attendees selected Priority Issues for the 119th Congress, NSBA and SBTC accomplished the top two Priority Issues, and we have done so with permanency. This is a major win for NSBA, SBTC, and the nation's entire small-business community.
QBI
By NSBA's urging and member advocacy, in 2025, Congress and the Administration permanently enacted a 20% Qualified Business Income deduction for small-business owners
R&D
Passed as part of H.R. 1 - the Administration's signature legislation, Congress provided immediate R&D expensing – no more required 5-year amortization for small-business owners
ESTATE TAX
Congress increased the Estate tax exemption to $15 million, indexed for inflation in subsequent years, as well as the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction for state and local business taxes
BONUS DEPRECIATION
The amount for which Congress raised the bonus depreciation for new capital investments - crucial for small-business owners investing on their own terms
"Repeatedly burdened by extra regulatory requirements, often limited in resources, and perpetually plagued by political uncertainty, small businesses are still leading innovation and critical technology development. SBTC helps ensure Congress and the White House are producing practical policies that actual support and benefit the small-business community."
Jere Glover
SBTC Executive Director