Small Business Contracting Set-Aside at Risk With Stall in Talks

The relationship between small businesses and the government would be “irreparably” harmed if Congress fails to renew a program aimed at giving startups access to federal contracts, according to industry participants.

The Small Business Innovation Research program, also known as SBIR, has funded research behind Covid-19 vaccines, robot vehicles, and emergency response technologies. It will expire for the first time at the end of September if Congress doesn’t act.

A program lapse could “irreparably damage” its reputation for startups wanting to work with federal government, warned Alexander Harstrick, managing partner of J2 Ventures, a firm with investments in several companies ...