The NASA Announcement follows.

NASA has selected 30 research proposals for immediate negotiation of Phase I contracts as part of the 1995 Small Business Technology Transfer Pilot Program (STTR).

  "This program is one of the ways that NASA takes the knowledge gained in air and space exploration and transfers it to the public," said Jack Mansfield, Associate Administrator of the Office of Space Access & Technology, which is sponsoring the program.

  The 1995 Phase I solicitation closed on March 23, 1995. Seventy-nine separate proposals were submitted by 67 small, high technology businesses from all sections of the United States. Research topics included: general aviation, advanced materials and structures for aerospace systems, energy conversion technology, access to space, and Mission to Planet Earth enhancements.

  All proposals were peer reviewed for both technical merit and commercial potential. Four NASA field centers participated in these evaluations. Each of the 30 selected proposals will be awarded a fixed-price contract valued up to $100,000 with 12 months to complete their Phase I projects.

The STTR program requires small business concerns to conduct cooperative research and development by partnering with a research institution. At least 40% of the work must be performed by the small business concern, and at least 30% must be performed by the research institute.

Companies that successfully complete Phase I activities are eligible to compete for Phase II awards the following year. The Phase II award process allows for two-year, fixed-price contracts of up to $500,000.