GTSC Virtual Insight Session: SBIR Reauthorization

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, one of the federal government's most powerful tools for driving innovation, was just reauthorized after a five-month gap, bringing new rules, new opportunities, and new responsibilities for agencies and small businesses alike. GTSC's SBIR Program Reauthorization Insight Session will provide a high-level overview of the program, what changed under the new law, and what it means for companies and agencies navigating federal innovation funding today. The session will cover: What SBIR is, how it differs from traditional federal procurement, and why it remains one of the most strategic pathways for small businesses to enter the federal marketplace Key updates from the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act — including new award structures, proposal reforms, foreign risk screening, and acquisition workforce training requirements A breakdown of all three SBIR phases, with a focused look at Phase III directed-award authority and how agencies can use it to transition innovative technologies into mission-ready solutions Featuring officials from the Small Business Administration, GSA's Federal Acquisition Service, and the Department of Homeland Security, this session connects policy directly to practice. Attendees will hear from the people who manage and execute the SBIR program every day - offering rare, firsthand insight into how the program works and how to use it effectively. This webinar is ideal for small businesses, technology developers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and organizations in learning more about federal innovation funding opportunities and the role SBIR plays in advancing mission-driven solutions. Panelists: Robert "Bobby" Wade, Sector Director, Acquisition Division Director, & Contracting Director, GSA Robert "Bobby" Wade is a multi-hatted Sector Director, Acquisition Division Director and GSA Contracting Director within GSA AAS Innovation, a fee-for-service acquisition and project management organization. He leads an innovation focused business unit of two program divisions and one contracting division consisting of 40 contracting and project management professionals focused on a rapidly growing $5 billion portfolio of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts, Commercial Solutions Opening contracts, as well as the administration of GSA’s ASTRO Multiple Award Contract Vehicle. Dusty Lang, Program Director, SBIR, Department of Homeland Security Dusty Lang assumed the role of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program Director in 2019. She has worked extensively with the DHS SBIR program, administered by the DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), having joined the program team in 2016. In 2018, Ms. Lang served as the Program Manager for the S&T Broad Agency Announcement and Prize Competition programs before coming back to the DHS SBIR program as Director in 2019.Prior to joining DHS S&T, Ms. Lang began her career working at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station at the Hazardous Materials Warehouse. After subsequent positions in the Information Resource Management Office and PMA-207, in 2006 she moved to the Naval Air Systems Command SBIR office. During her time in the NAVAIR SBIR office, she served as the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Lead, with a brief intermission, from 2015-2016, as the Department of the Navy STTR/STP Program Manager. Dr. Genevieve Lind, Program Manager, America's Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR Programs), U.S. Small Business Administration Dr. Genevieve Lind is a Program Manager for America's Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR Programs) at the U.S. Small Business Administration, where she leads strategic initiatives that accelerate innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology commercialization across the nation. With more than eight years of experience managing multi-million-dollar research and development investment portfolios, she has built and strengthened innovation ecosystems that connect small businesses with federal opportunities and resources. Dr. Lind is recognized for her ability to translate complex policy and program requirements into actionable strategies, coordinate cross-agency initiatives, and address implementation challenges at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and government. Her expertise spans program design, compliance and governance frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and commercialization strategy, with a proven track record of increasing small business participation and driving measurable outcomes.