In this episode of Building the Base, Lauren Bedula and Hondo Geurts speak with Gina Sims, Director of the DoD's SBIR/STTR office, about revolutionizing defense innovation. Sims shares her journey from Air Force acquisition to leading the $3 billion small business innovation program, discussing how she's breaking down barriers for new entrants, streamlining processes, and fostering collaboration between government and industry. The conversation explores successful strategies for connecting small business technology with warfighter needs, the evolution of the SBIR program, and the critical role of human networking in defense innovation.

Key Takeaways:

1. The DoD's SBIR/STTR program provides $3 billion annually in non-dilutive funding for small businesses.

2. SBIR Phase Three offers valuable sole-source contracting authority, allowing acquisition officers to bypass traditional competition. 

3. Success in the SBIR program requires small businesses to clearly connect their technology solutions to specific DoD requirements.

4. The Air Force's "open topic" approach has broadened the defense industrial base by allowing companies to propose innovative commercial technologies that could benefit the DoD in ways not yet identified.

5. Effective program management requires breaking down silos through human networking and collaboration across DoD.