Preaward Readiness
Accounting and SF 1408 prep, Foreign Risk Evaluation, cyber, export, IP, and negotiation.
Before you begin
Selection is not award. This lesson covers what happens after you are selected — and what to prep before selection.
Why this matters
Selection triggers eligibility verification, Foreign Risk Evaluation, responsibility and cost analysis, possible accounting review, negotiation, IP/security/export review, and funding confirmation. Companies that waited to “get organized later” lose weeks — or awards.
Accounting readiness (SF 1408 path)
You do not need a universal “DCAA certification” to create a DSIP account. You should still explain and support direct/indirect labor, fringe, overhead, G&A, materials, travel, subcontracts, unallowables, timekeeping, and project-level cost collection. Selected firms may face SF 1408 accounting-system information and detailed cost justification.
- Written timekeeping; employees record time by project
- Direct vs indirect separation and job-cost tracking
- Documented indirect allocation and unallowable segregation
- Receipt retention, ledger reconciliation, approval controls
- A named person responsible for government-contract accounting
Foreign Risk Evaluation (FRE)
Following the 2026 reauthorization, Defense redesignated its SBIR/STTR due-diligence work as the Foreign Risk Evaluation (FRE) Program. It addresses foreign ownership, control, influence, affiliations, personnel, and technology transfer risks. Older training may still say “due diligence.”
- Ownership and investor list with foreign parties flagged
- Board / advisory roles and dual citizens in sensitive positions documented
- Foreign facilities, collaborators, and data-sharing arrangements listed
- Volume 7 / firm foreign-affiliation forms match your actual records
Conditional requirements — read the topic
These are not universal prerequisites for every SBIR proposal. Read the topic and award clauses: STTR IP allocation agreements; export control / DD Form 2345 / JCP when controlled military technical data apply; cybersecurity (FCI/CUI, NIST SP 800-171, SPRS, CMMC) when clauses require them; human/animal subjects review; TABA vendor rules; organizational conflicts and duplicate funding; IP and data-rights assertions for background and developed technology.
Proposal-ready library
Build a reusable secure folder before the next topic opens — not during negotiation.
- Registrations: SAM, SBIR.gov proof, DSIP firm screenshots
- Corporate docs: formation, EIN letter, ownership / cap table, affiliates
- People: resumes, PI employment evidence, training certificates
- Cost / accounting: rate worksheets, timekeeping SOP, sample invoices
- Partners / IP: sub agreements, IP assertions, licenses you rely on
- Risk: foreign-risk binder, cyber/export artifacts as applicable
You are preaward-ready
- Accounting story can support SF 1408-style questions
- Foreign-risk disclosures match reality and Volume 7
- Cyber / export / IP claims are limited to what you can prove
- Secure library is assembled for the next selection call
- Team knows not to start reimbursable work before award