Build a DSIP Proposal
The seven volumes, CCR vs commercialization strategy, certification, and true Submitted status.
Before you begin
Confirm instruction hierarchy, dates, templates, and page/cost rules for the live topic before writing volumes.
Why this matters
A Defense SBIR/STTR proposal through DSIP is a package of firm data plus seven volumes. The Corporate Official must certify and submit. “Ready to Certify” is not submitted — and reopened proposals must be certified and submitted again.
The seven volumes
- Volume 1 — Proposal Cover Sheet (topic, title, firm, PI, abstract, cost, representations)
- Volume 2 — Technical Volume (approach, work plan, risks, team, transition — page limits vary)
- Volume 3 — Cost Volume (labor, indirects, materials, travel, subs, TABA, base/options)
- Volume 4 — Company Commercialization Report (historical CCR from SBIR.gov when required)
- Volume 5 — Supporting Documents (only what instructions require or permit)
- Volume 6 — Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Training (generally annual)
- Volume 7 — Foreign Affiliations and Relationships (current DSIP webform — not an obsolete PDF)
Backward-looking results from prior SBIR/STTR awards — sales, investment, Phase III outcomes — generated through SBIR.gov.
Forward-looking: how this technology reaches users and buyers. New firms may have empty CCR history and still need a strong strategy.
A practical build order
- 1Freeze compliance rules
Page limits, cost ceiling, period of performance, required templates, workshare, and PI rules from the instruction stack.
- 2Lock team and budget skeleton
PI, key personnel, subs, and cost elements that must agree across Volumes 1–3.
- 3Draft Volume 2 against evaluation factors
Answer the topic need, risks, and transition — not a generic white paper.
- 4Reconcile Volume 3 to the technical plan
Hours, rates, materials, travel, and subs must tell the same story as Volume 2.
- 5Complete Volumes 4–7 and firm certifications
CCR path, supporting docs only as allowed, FWA, foreign affiliations webform.
- 6Corporate Official certifies and submits
Confirm status is Submitted. Archive confirmation. Do not casually reopen after submit.
Submit checklist
- SAM active; UEI/CAGE correct; DSIP firm matches SAM; SBIR.gov proof and SBC Control ID current
- Eligibility: ≤500 employees with affiliates; PI and workshare compliant; U.S. performance
- All instruction layers read; correct templates; page/cost/duration rules checked
- All seven volumes complete; costs agree; foreign disclosures and FWA done
- Status is Submitted (not merely Ready to Certify); confirmation archived
Selection is not yet an award. Expect eligibility verification, Foreign Risk Evaluation, responsibility and cost analysis, possible accounting review, negotiation, and funding confirmation. Do not begin reimbursable work until an authorized contracting official issues the award.