STRONG>Dutch SBIR programme
With a view to achieving the Lisbonobjective, all necessary efforts are being expended in order to enhance the innovative ability of SMEs. A group of experts from the EU has identified public technology procurement as a powerful means of achieving the target of spending 3% of GDP on R&D by 2010 (‘Public procurement for research and innovation’, Expert Group   Report, DG Research, September 2005). In this respect, the government is in a position to act as a catalyst by procuring innovation. Through “precommercial procurement” or as “launching customer”, the government is able to stimulate innovative solutions for social issues such as health and the environment.

The goal of the Dutch government with the SBIR programme is threefold:
- Solving public questions and concerns
- Stimulating innovation among SMEs
- Valorisation of public knowledge

Legal aspects
Contracts in the SBIR programme are subject to European procurement rules. EU-wide competitive tendering is not necessary, because of an exclusion for precommercial procurement for R&D.  General procurement principles are still valid: transparent, objective and no discrimination on basis of nationality.

Article 16 (f) of the public procurement directive for public authorities (2004/18/EC) states: This Directive shall not apply to public service contracts for research and development services other than those where the benefits accrue exclusively to the contracting authority for its use in the conduct of its own affairs, on condition that the service provided is wholly remunerated by the contracting authority. 

SBIR pilots 
Since 2004 the Dutch government has started SBIR pilots on seven different subject, within four different Ministries. The budget per pilot is approximately 1.100.000 euro: 4-5 feasibility studies and 2-3 research and development projects.
- Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality: Bio-based products (non-food) (2006)
- Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality: Nature friendly business: damage reduction to Nature due to human activities (2007)
- Energy: Energy conservation with electromagnetic power technology (2004)
- Transport: Application of hydrogen and fuel cell systems in civil works (2006)
- Water management: Dyke observation and inspection (2007)
- Defence: Solutions for maritime operations in bad weather conditions (2006)
- Transport: Inland shipping (2007)

Results first evaluation (May 2007)
A first evaluation has taken place and the first impressions are positive. These impressions are based on the data for the first 6 pilots: 88 companies – of which 80 SME – sent   in 97 proposals:
- SBIR brings in new companies and new ideas.
- SBIR companies are small: all contract were given to companies with less than 100 employees.
- SBIR winning companies aim at R&D co-operation

Companies that received an SBIR phase 1 contract have more often strategic co-operation in an SBIR project, than companies that did not receive a contract: 89% vs. 47%; with other (SME) companies (42% vs. 7%); with research institutes (18% vs. 17%); or both 29% vs. 23%. 

Other pilots inspired by SBIR
TNO: Technology seeks entrepreneur (2005)
STW: Valorisation grant (2004)

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