Congress Reforms U.S. Contracting Program To Enhance National Security Reviews

Freshfields attorneys Nathan Castellano and Andrew Gabel published an article in The Nash & Cibinic Report describing recent legislative reforms in an important U.S. government contracting program: the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.  

Known as "America's Seed Fund," SBIR provides non-dilutive R&D funding to American small businesses pursuing innovations of national interest.  The SBIR program has been stuck in legislative limbo for more than six months, waiting for congressional reauthorization.  After months of contentious debate over reforms, in early March the Senate finally agreed to compromise legislation, which later passed the House as well.  The legislation needs only the President’s signature to become law.  

Assuming the legislation eventually passes, the SBIR program will proceed with significant reforms.  Among the most consequential reforms are enhanced disclosure and diligence requirements designed to scrutinize each applicant’s national security risk, including foreign ties and cybersecurity posture.  

The full article, available here, is published in the April 2026 issue of The Nash & Cibinic Report