On September 10, 2025, the Department of Defense (DoD) officially published the final rule updating the DFARS to incorporate contractual requirements for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) in the Federal Register.
BBCetc, in partnership with cybersecurity experts Totem Tech, is offering a focused 1-hour session to review the CMMC changes, which impact all DoD contractors and suppliers. We strongly urge SBIR/STTR applicants to attend to ensure your proposal and business meet compliance standards.
The most important step for any SBIR/STTR submission is reading the instructions. The Department of War (DOW), also known as the Department of Defense (DOD), releases its solicitation and instructions on the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP). For every topic at the DOW, there are two sets of instructions: the agency-level instructions and the component-level instructions. Which one should you read? Read on
Compliance Pitfalls – Timekeeping
One of the most common non-compliance issues that grant recipients incur is improper timekeeping for their employees. Commercial (for-profit) organizations must document salaries and wages charged to federal contracts and grants by maintaining a labor distribution system for all employees regardless of function. A key component to the labor distribution system is a proper timekeeping system.All company members (exempt and nonexempt, owners and partners) are required to use the company time keeping system to record their hours worked.
Tips for Compliant Timekeeping:
Timekeeping should be daily, after-the-fact reporting
Any changes or corrections to timesheets should be made by the employee and must show what was initially recorded, initialed, and dated by the employee.
Timesheets must be signed by the company member and countersigned by their supervisor at end of pay period.
Record all hours worked and all hours absent. All hours should be recorded whether or not they are paid.
Contact BBCetc to advise and assist with setting up compliant timekeeping and other grant management practices.
Visit the SBA Lender Match portal to connect with participating lenders offering competitive rates.
The SBA has announced a major boost for small manufacturers: most upfront loan fees will be waived for fiscal year 2026, effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026.
This fee waiver applies to:
7(a) manufacturing loans up to $950,000 – 0% upfront fee
All 504 manufacturing loans – 0% upfront and annual service fees
The goal? To help small manufacturers (NAICS 31-33) access more capital for hiring, expanding production, and reshoring jobs and supply chains, strengthening both local economies and national security.
The SBIR/STTR Fall Innovation Conference
November 19 - 20 | National Harbor, MD | Visit our booth: #617
Connect directly with over $4 billion in early-stage funding. Learn how to compete for funding while networking with global industry scouts, investors, and key federal leadership representing the nation’s largest seed fund. Learn more and register
Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey
The Federal Reserve’s 2025 Small Business Credit Survey is now open, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation is a partner in this effort. Owners and key financial decision-makers of for-profit businesses, share your recent experiences about whether and how you use debt, what financial conditions you face, and more.
Answers to these questions contribute to data that directly inform the Fed, federal government agencies, service providers, policymakers, and others—a public good ultimately benefiting your business and others like yours.
The survey is open to businesses currently in operation, those recently closed, and those about to launch. All responses are confidential.The survey closes Nov. 14, 2025.
NASA SBIR/STTR program has launched a newProgram Year 2026 Information Hub.Bookmark this site to stay current on the latest news and Phase I opportunities.
The NASA SBIR/STTR program will be changing from its traditional solicitation cycle to a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). Visit the information hub for details and FAQs.
Upcoming/Open Solicitations
DOD SBIR 25.4/ STTR 25.D
Release 12
Pre-release: 9/3/25
Topics for the 25.4/D Release 12 cycle are expected to open on the first Wednesday following program reauthorization.
BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting, LLC (BBCetc) works with technology-based entrepreneurs and companies across the U.S. on strategies to advance their R&D efforts to commercialization. The BBCetc team is nationally recognized for its success in helping clients secure federal funding through the SBIR and STTR programs. BBCetc services include research grant assistance, SBIR/STTR training and proposal development assistance, and grants and contract management.
