How we helped demonstrate a landmark SBIR program

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Technology administers the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program, which ensures that the nation’s small, high-tech, innovative businesses are a significant part of the federal government’s R&D efforts.

Loma Media was chosen to document the first practical implementation of a landmark anti-terrorism program designed to provide improved detection and ‘indications and warnings’ of maritime terrorist activities. Operational team leadership would be provided by SPAWAR Systems Center-Pacific (SSC-P).

CHALLENGE

In the past, 2 or 3 small businesses had worked together in an SBIR project–but never a consortium of ten.  The size and scope of this effort was unprecedented—and the approach novel. Unclassified and Classified Secret versions of the video needed to convey the results of the complex technological effort and convey “lesson learned” to Congressional, military, and business audiences.

SOLUTION

The narrative was crafted to show how small businesses each focused on an aspect of the solution, and then integrated the components for optimum results and cost efficiencies. On-camera interviews with representatives of each company and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) provided a cross-section of perspectives as the effort progressed. Operational footage on land, at sea, and in the air was combined with a dramatic re-enactment to clearly demonstrate the roles of each player in the big picture. An effective motion graphic treatment helped illuminate key themes.

RESULTS

This collaborative model was hailed as a breakthrough example of best practices for legitimate, practical innovation. Following video briefings to key audiences, the SPAWAR team earned the prestigious Tibbets Award, made annually to small firms, projects, organizations and individuals judged to exemplify the very best in SBIR achievement.