FAR 15.602—Policy.
Plain-English Summary
FAR 15.602 states the Government’s policy for encouraging new and innovative ideas in federal research and development and related acquisition programs. It specifically covers Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) topics, Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) topics, Program Research and Development Announcements (PRDAs), and other Government-initiated solicitations or programs. The section also addresses what happens when an idea does not fit within the publicly announced topic areas of those programs: it may be submitted as an unsolicited proposal. In practice, this policy is meant to keep the Government open to creative solutions while channeling ideas into the appropriate acquisition or research vehicle. For contractors, researchers, and small businesses, it signals that innovative concepts are welcome, but they must be matched to the right submission path. For contracting and program personnel, it reinforces the need to publicize topic areas clearly and to recognize when an idea should be handled outside a formal solicitation topic.
Key Rules
Encourage innovative ideas
The Government’s policy is to encourage the submission of new and innovative ideas. This is a broad policy statement that favors openness to novel technical concepts and research approaches.
Use announced topic vehicles
Ideas should be submitted in response to BAAs, SBIR topics, STTR topics, PRDAs, or other Government-initiated solicitations or programs when they fit within those publicized topic areas. These vehicles are the preferred channels for ideas that match announced needs.
Unsolicited proposals are allowed
If a new and innovative idea does not fall within the topic areas publicized under those programs or techniques, it may be submitted as an unsolicited proposal. This provides a path for ideas that are worthwhile but not tied to an existing announced topic.
Match the idea to the right forum
The section draws a distinction between ideas that fit a published topic and those that do not. The practical rule is to use the announced program or solicitation when possible, and use the unsolicited proposal process only when the idea is outside those topic areas.
Responsibilities
Government
Encourage the submission of innovative ideas and provide appropriate publicized topic areas or solicitation vehicles such as BAAs, SBIR, STTR, and PRDAs. The Government must also recognize and accept that ideas outside those topic areas may be submitted as unsolicited proposals.
Contracting Officers and Program Officials
Structure and publicize topic areas clearly so offerors know where to submit ideas, and direct submissions to the proper acquisition or research path. They should distinguish between ideas that belong in an announced topic and those that should be treated as unsolicited proposals.
Contractors, Researchers, and Offerors
Submit innovative ideas through the appropriate Government-initiated solicitation or program when the idea fits a published topic area. If the idea does not fit any publicized topic, submit it as an unsolicited proposal rather than forcing it into the wrong vehicle.
Practical Implications
This section is mainly about choosing the correct submission channel for an innovative idea, not about evaluation criteria or award procedures.
A common pitfall is trying to submit an idea under a topic announcement when it does not actually fit the published scope; that can lead to rejection or misrouting.
Another pitfall is treating every innovative concept as an unsolicited proposal when a better, more direct path exists through a BAA, SBIR, STTR, or PRDA topic.
Contracting and program staff should make topic descriptions clear enough that offerors can tell whether their idea belongs in the announced program or should be submitted separately.
For industry, the practical takeaway is to read the topic language carefully and align the submission format with the Government’s stated vehicle before sending the idea.
Official Regulatory Text
It is the policy of the Government to encourage the submission of new and innovative ideas in response to Broad Agency Announcements, Small Business Innovation Research topics, Small Business Technology Transfer Research topics, Program Research and Development Announcements, or any other Government-initiated solicitation or program. When the new and innovative ideas do not fall under topic areas publicized under those programs or techniques, the ideas may be submitted as unsolicited proposals.