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FAST Update
Release of the first solicitation of proposals for the new $3.5 million Federal and State Technology Partnership (FAST) has been delayed until the end of March, according to attendees of the National Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Conference held in Tulsa this past week. SSTI's March 1 presentation regarding FAST (a 16-slide Powerpoint file) is available by email request to skinner@ssti.org
Independently, SSTI sources indicate that the President's FY 2002 budget request is reported to include $3.5 million for the FAST Partnership and $1.5 million for the Rural Outreach Program. The continuation level of funding for both programs marks a shift in the SBA's practices during the Clinton Administration of zeroing out programs created by Congressional initiative. The additional year of funding, if approved by Congress, also allows states better ground for designing new programs to assist small businesses in commercializing technology, planning to meet FAST matching requirements, and making hiring commitments.