Congress passes funding extension, averts shutdown
On September 30, the last day of FY22, the House passed a Continuing Resolution (CR) to keep the government open and funded as FY23 officially began. The Senate passed the CR on September 29. This CR extends FY22 funding levels through December 16, providing more time for lawmakers to negotiate a spending package for FY23. Depending on the election results, Congress may pass another CR to extend funding into 2023.
Congress reauthorizes SBIR and STTR program
In the final days of September, the House and Senate passed legislation to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through 2025. This SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 extends the authorization and amends the program. The act requires applicants to disclose foreign ties, changes performance standards, and directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct studies related to SBIR and STTR multiple award winners and subcontract awardees.
Senate confirms new Director for Office of Science and Technology Policy
On September 22, the Senate confirmed Dr. Arati Prabhakar to serve as the new Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). She is the first woman and person of color confirmed by the Senate to lead the OSTP. Dr. Prabhakar served as director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency from 2012 to 2017 and was the first woman to lead the National Institute of Standards and Technology. She also spent 15 years in Silicon Valley as a company executive and as a venture capitalist. She graduated from Texas Tech University and the California Institute of Technology with a PhD in applied physics and an MS in electrical engineering.
Biden Administration names inaugural ARPA-H Director
On September 12, President Biden named Dr. Renee Wegrzyn to serve as the inaugural director of the administration’s new Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H). Dr. Wegrzyn does not need Senate confirmation. In her previous roles, Dr. Wegrzyn served as vice president of Gingko Bioworks, a biotech company, and worked for the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. She received her PhD in applied biology from the Georgia Institute of Technology. As a reminder, Congress appropriated $1 billion for ARPA-H earlier this year to get the new agency up and running but has yet to reach an agreement on legislation that would formally authorize ARPA-H.
For more updates, visit the Office of Federal Affairs website.