NASA will move forward to contract negotiations for the potential $104 million second phase of its Small Business Innovation Research program for future deep space missions.
The space agency has selected 137 research and technology proposals from 117 U.S. small businesses and research organizations out of 323 responses received for the SBIR program, NASA said Wednesday.
“These proposals represent the entrepreneurial spirit of small businesses that fuel our economy and create jobs on Main Street, ” said Steve Jurczyk,  associate administrator of NASA’s space technology mission directorate.
Of the 137 chosen proposals, 134 are for the Phase II General track while the other three are for the Phase II Select track.
According to NASA, the potential contracts awarded will support research of aeronautics, human exploration, science, operations and the development of space technology.
The Phase II General proposals are up for potential two-year $750, 000 contracts, while the Phase II Select ones could reach up to $1.5 million per award, NASA said.
The complete list of approved proposals for the Phase II General and Phase II Select programs can be found on the space agency’s website.
