Pre-Release

Also called: Pre-release period, Topic pre-release

The pre-release period is the first phase of a DoW SBIR/STTR announcement, when topics are posted but proposals are not yet accepted and applicants may ask topic authors technical questions directly.

Each DoW SBIR/STTR announcement has a pre-release, open and close phase. During pre-release the government is not accepting proposals, but small businesses can view the topics and talk directly with the topic authors listed in each topic.

Questions must stay on the technical requirements of the topic. Applicants may not ask for advice on their solution approach or send additional material.

When the announcement opens, direct questions to topic authors are no longer allowed, and technical questions move to Topic Q&A. DoW advises applicants to monitor Topic Q&A during both the pre-release and open periods.