This part changes the help a small firm can get alongside its award. The firm now picks the help instead of the agency picking a seller for it. Help with computer safety is added, and so is a check for ties abroad. A firm can spend the money on staff. The caps are $6,500 in the first stage and $50,000 in the second. Firms can also join a training course called I-Corps.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Federal agencies running SBIR or STTR programsHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“shall authorize recipients of awards under the SBIR program or the STTR program to select, if desired, technical and business assistance provided under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) with respect to SBIR or STTR projects”
Subsection (1)(A)(i)(I) strikes the words in subsection (q)(1) of section 9 of the Small Business Act that let an agency enter into an agreement with one or more vendors it selected, and inserts these words in their place. As inserted, the agency authorizes award recipients to select, if desired, the technical and business assistance provided under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2). A later clause replaces the words 'such concerns' with 'such recipients' in the same sentence.
What the document actually says
“shall authorize recipients of awards under the SBIR program or the STTR program to select, if desired, technical and business assistance provided under subparagraph (A) or (B) of paragraph (2) with respect to SBIR or STTR projects”
That sentence, in plain words
The agency must let the firm choose its own help. The firm can also choose to skip it. The help comes from one of two places named in the law.
What this is about
Before this, the agency picked a seller and set up a deal. Now the choice sits with the firm that won the award.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “is amended”Who acts: Federal agencies running SBIR or STTR programsHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“by inserting ``cybersecurity assistance,'' after ``intellectual property protections,''”
Subsection (1)(A)(i)(II) inserts the words 'cybersecurity assistance,' after the words 'intellectual property protections,' in subsection (q)(1) of section 9 of the Small Business Act. This Act does not restate the list those words join, and that list is not recorded here.
What the document actually says
“by inserting ``cybersecurity assistance,'' after ``intellectual property protections,''”
That sentence, in plain words
Two words go into a list in the older law. They go right after the words about patents.
What this is about
The list names kinds of help a firm can get. Help with computer safety is now one of them. The rest of the list is not part of this law.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “is amended”Who acts: Federal agencies running SBIR or STTR programsHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“screening for potential foreign involvement in technology development or commercialization activities.”
Subsection (1)(A)(iv) adds a new subparagraph (E) to subsection (q)(1). The added item is screening for potential foreign involvement in technology development or commercialization activities. It sits alongside the other services the subsection covers.
What the document actually says
“screening for potential foreign involvement in technology development or commercialization activities.”
That sentence, in plain words
The help can now include a check for ties abroad. The check looks at the work and at plans to sell it.
What this is about
This lines up with the security checks earlier in the law. Here it is help for the firm, not a test it must pass.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “can”Who acts: small business concernsHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“A small business concern may, by contract or otherwise, use funding provided under this section to hire new staff, augment staff, or direct staff to conduct or participate in training activities consistent with the goals listed in paragraph (1).”
Subsection (1)(B)(iv) adds a new subparagraph (B) to subsection (q)(2), under a paragraph heading this section changes from 'Vendor selection' to 'Eligible uses of funds'. The new item lets a small business concern use the funding, by contract or otherwise, to hire new staff, augment staff, or direct staff to conduct or take part in training activities consistent with the goals in paragraph (1).
What the document actually says
“A small business concern may, by contract or otherwise, use funding provided under this section to hire new staff, augment staff, or direct staff to conduct or participate in training activities consistent with the goals listed in paragraph (1).”
That sentence, in plain words
A firm can spend the money on people. It can hire, add to its team, or send staff to training. The training has to match the goals in the law.
What this is about
Before this the money went to outside sellers. Now a firm can build the skill in house instead.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Federal agencies running SBIR or STTR programsHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“A Federal agency described in paragraph (1) shall authorize a recipient of a Phase I SBIR or STTR award to use not more than $6,500 per project, included as part of the award of the recipient or in addition to the amount of the award of the recipient as determined appropriate by the head of the Federal agency, for the services described in paragraph (1)”
Subsection (1)(C)(i) replaces subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subsection (q)(3). New subparagraph (A) sets the Phase I figure at no more than $6,500 per project. The head of the agency decides whether it comes out of the award or on top of it. The services may be provided through a vendor the firm selects under paragraph (2)(A), or achieved through the activities described in paragraph (2)(B).
What the document actually says
“A Federal agency described in paragraph (1) shall authorize a recipient of a Phase I SBIR or STTR award to use not more than $6,500 per project, included as part of the award of the recipient or in addition to the amount of the award of the recipient as determined appropriate by the head of the Federal agency, for the services described in paragraph (1)”
That sentence, in plain words
A firm in the first stage can use up to $6,500 for each project. The head of the agency decides where it comes from. It can come out of the award or be added to it.
What this is about
The firm can spend it with a seller it picks. It can also spend it on its own staff. Both routes are named in the law.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Federal agencies running SBIR or STTR programsHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“A Federal agency described in paragraph (1) shall authorize a recipient of a Phase II SBIR or STTR award to utilize not more than $50,000 per project”
New subparagraph (B) of subsection (q)(3) sets the Phase II figure at no more than $50,000 per project. As with Phase I, it is included as part of the award or added to it as the head of the agency determines appropriate, and the services may come through a vendor the firm selects under paragraph (2)(A) or through the activities described in paragraph (2)(B).
What the document actually says
“A Federal agency described in paragraph (1) shall authorize a recipient of a Phase II SBIR or STTR award to utilize not more than $50,000 per project”
That sentence, in plain words
A firm in the second stage can use up to $50,000 for each project.
What this is about
The rest of the rule matches the first stage. The head of the agency picks where the money comes from. The firm picks how to spend it.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “can”Who acts: Federal agenciesHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“A Federal agency may perform targeted reviews of technical and business assistance funding as described in subsection (mm)(1)(F).”
Subsection (1)(D) adds a new paragraph (5) to subsection (q). It states that a Federal agency may perform targeted reviews of technical and business assistance funding as described in subsection (mm)(1)(F) of section 9 of the Small Business Act. What that provision describes is not recorded here.
What the document actually says
“A Federal agency may perform targeted reviews of technical and business assistance funding as described in subsection (mm)(1)(F).”
That sentence, in plain words
An agency can check how this money was spent. The checks are aimed at picked cases, not all of them.
What this is about
The kind of check is set out in an older part of the law. That part is not on this site. So the site does not say what it holds.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “shall”Who acts: Federal agencies with an Innovation Corps programHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“Each Federal agency with an Innovation Corps program (commonly known as `I-Corps') that is required to conduct an SBIR or STTR program shall-- ``(A) provide an option for requesting participation in an I-Corps teams course, I-Corps bootcamp, or another equivalent training program to recipients of an award under the SBIR or STTR program;”
Subsection (2) adds a new subsection (bbb) to section 9 of the Small Business Act. Paragraph (1) applies to each Federal agency that has an Innovation Corps program, known as I-Corps, and is required to conduct an SBIR or STTR program. Subparagraph (A) requires an option for award recipients to request a place on an I-Corps teams course, an I-Corps bootcamp, or another equivalent training program. Subparagraph (B) requires the agency to authorize those recipients to use amounts authorized under subsection (q) to take part.
What the document actually says
“Each Federal agency with an Innovation Corps program (commonly known as `I-Corps') that is required to conduct an SBIR or STTR program shall-- ``(A) provide an option for requesting participation in an I-Corps teams course, I-Corps bootcamp, or another equivalent training program to recipients of an award under the SBIR or STTR program;”
That sentence, in plain words
Some agencies run a training program called I-Corps. Those agencies must let award winners ask to join it. The ask can be for a team course or a short bootcamp.
What this is about
I-Corps teaches teams how to turn research into a business. The agency must also let firms pay for it out of their help money.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
The document says “can”Who acts: Federal agencies with an Innovation Corps programHow: statuteSec. 7 in the PDF
What the document says
“may be provided by-- ``(A) an I-Corps team SBIR or STTR grant; ``(B) funds awarded to the recipient under subsection (q); ``(C) funds made available to carry out subsection (mm); ``(D) the participating teams or other sources as appropriate;”
Paragraph (2) of the new subsection (bbb) names where the cost of a recipient's participation may come from: an I-Corps team SBIR or STTR grant, funds awarded to the recipient under subsection (q), funds made available to carry out subsection (mm), the participating teams or other sources as appropriate, or any combination of those four.
What the document actually says
“may be provided by-- ``(A) an I-Corps team SBIR or STTR grant; ``(B) funds awarded to the recipient under subsection (q); ``(C) funds made available to carry out subsection (mm); ``(D) the participating teams or other sources as appropriate;”
That sentence, in plain words
The cost can be met from four places. One is a grant for I-Corps teams. Two are funds named in the older law. The last is the teams themselves.
What this is about
The four can also be mixed. This law adds no new money for the courses. It only lists the pots that may be used.
No action is recorded against this proposal. That is not evidence that none has been taken, and nobody has yet read it against the record. See what the tracker does not yet cover.
Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, Public Law 119-83, sec. 7, 140 Stat. 765 (2026). https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/PLAW-119publ83/html/PLAW-119publ83.htm
This page
“Technical and Business Assistance Improvements,” Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, section 7. Read the Mandate, https://readthemandate.org/small-business-innovation-economic-security-act/section-7/ (retrieved August 26, 2026).
Cite the document when the claim is about what the document says. Cite this page when the indexing, the wording or the record of what has happened is what is being relied on.
What This Page Covers, and What It Leaves Out
Each distinct thing the section does: the shift from an agency agreement with vendors to a choice made by the award recipient, the addition of cybersecurity assistance, the new screening for foreign involvement, the new use of funds for staff, the two per project dollar caps, the targeted review authority, and the new subsection on I-Corps participation and how it is paid for.
The mechanical amendments are not recorded proposal by proposal. The section changes a paragraph heading from 'Vendor selection' to 'Eligible uses of funds', strikes a subparagraph, redesignates another, and strikes an 'and' and a period at the ends of clauses.
The section works by amending section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638), which is not indexed here. Subsection (q) of that statute is rewritten in places by striking words and inserting others, and the surrounding sentences are not restated in this Act, so they are not recorded. The section also refers to subsection (mm)(1)(F) of that statute without saying what it contains.
