TPO Organization and Mission
TPO is a research support office that drives innovation across NOAA.
The office oversees two programs: the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program and the Technology Transfer Program.
Through its programs, TPO awards grants to small businesses to support technological innovation, manages NOAA’s intellectual property portfolio, helps transfer NOAA technology to the commercial market, and facilitates NOAA’s public-private research partnerships. As NOAA’s primary interface with private-sector innovation, TPO supports the NOAA mission, stimulates innovation, and strengthens the U.S. economy.
Our Mission
To serve NOAA and the U.S. economy by transferring NOAA’s scientific and technological innovations to commercial applications, facilitating strategic public-private partnerships, and investing in small business research and development related to NOAA’s mission areas.
Small Business Innovation Research
Our mission is to stimulate the U.S. economy and business growth through the commercialization of innovative mission-related technologies by investing NOAA research funds in American small businesses, and providing guidance to entrepreneurs throughout the process of researching, developing, and commercialization of products or services.
Technology Transfer Program
Our mission is to promote increased use and commercialization of NOAA's innovative technologies and knowledge by facilitating strategic partnerships and ensuring the rapid and cost-effective transfer of intellectual property from NOAA labs and programs to other federal agencies, academia, and the U.S. private sector.
Policy and Organizing Documents
- Office functions and organizational location – DOO 25-5, Section 8.02(d) and 8(J)(1)
- TPO Strategic Plan 2022-2025
SBIR Authorizing Legislation
- Small Business Act of 1953, Title II of Pub.L. 83–163 ch. 282, 67 Stat. 232: The Small Business Act is the Act of Congress which created the Small Business Administration. It was enacted July 30, 1953, and it was codified at 15 U.S.C. ch. 14A.
- Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act (P.L. 102-564) : Originally passed in December of 2000, the program was reauthorized until September 30, 2008 by the Small Business Reauthorization Act of 2000 (P.L. 106-554).
- Public Law 114-328 (SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act of 2017): The most recent reauthorization of the SBIR Program.
- SBIR/STTR Policy Directive: The Small Business Act (the Act) requires that the SBA issue a policy directive setting forth guidance to the Federal Agencies participating in the SBIR and STTR programs (Participating Agencies). The 2020 SBIR/STTR Policy Directive outlines how agencies must generally conduct their programs.
Technology Transfer Program Authorizing Legislation