On February 24, 2004, President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13329 Encouraging Innovation in Manufacturing. The executive order defines duties of the agencies and departments that participate in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. It also assigns duties to the Small Business Administration (SBA).

The executive order states that continued technological innovation is critical to a strong manufacturing sector of the United States economy. The executive order recognizes that the commercialization of technologies, products, or services funded through the SBIR and STTR programs play a crucial role in stimulating the U.S. economy. The executive order further acknowledges that the research and development work performed by small businesses participating in these two important programs have contributed to our National defense, improved our health and welfare, protected the environment, and improved our production processes.

Executive Order 13329 assigns duties to the Federal Government to do its part to assist the private sector in its manufacturing innovation efforts.

The duties of the participating agencies and departments that participate in the SBIR and STTR programs are:

1. to the extent permitted by law and in a manner consistent with the mission of that department or agency, five high priority within such programs to manufacturing-related research and development; and

2. submit reports annually to the Administrator of the Small Business Administration and the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy concerning the efforts of such department or agency to implement of this order.

The duties assigned to the SBA are:

1. to establish, after consultation with the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, formats and schedules for submission of reports by the heads of departments and agencies; and

2. to issue to departments and agencies guidelines and directives (in addition to the formats and schedules) as the Administrator determines from time to time are necessary to implement the executive order, after such guidelines and directives are submitted to the President, through the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, for approval and are approved by the President.

To read a copy of the executive order, please follow the link below.

Executive Order 13329