Beyond SBIRs: Synergies with NAVWAR & NIWC Pac

​Through a partnership with the Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific, NIWC Pac, SBIR@Connect hopes to promote economic growth in our region by fostering connections between government, industry, and academia. 

​This workshop serves a dual purpose, aiming to familiarize small businesses with diverse collaboration opportunities with the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) and Naval Information Warfare Command Pacific (NIWC Pac). The focus is on understanding The Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP) Consortium and comprehending SBIR Data rights.  Featured speakers, Lauryn Hiser, Mariaelena Garcia-Reynante, and Shadi Azoum, leaders overseeing technology initiatives at NAVWAR, will provide valuable insights into business engagement within their respective programs.

​IWRP partners with industry and academia to advance Information Warfare technologies, enhancing Navy and Marine Corps mission effectiveness. Through a consortium, they support research, development, and prototyping. Lauryn Hiser and Mariaelena Garcia-Reynante will present the program and discuss participation opportunities. Lauryn Hiser and Mariaelena Garcia-Reynante will be presenting on their program, providing insights into its objectives and offering information on ways to actively participate.

​The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program aims to provide non-dilutive funding to eligible companies, addressing government research and development needs while fostering innovation and the commercialization of products and efforts. This program holds significant importance in ensuring the development and integration of the latest technology initiatives for the benefit of our warfighters. Equally crucial is safeguarding the rights of small businesses involved in developing these technologies through the SBIR/STTR program. Shadi Azoum, the NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Program Manager, will be presenting insights specifically focused on SBIR data rights during the workshop.

​We look forward to your participation in this event, and future ones! For more information, please visit our navwarsbir.com.

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Learning Objectives:

​1. Understanding the Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP) Consortium

• ​Gain insights into the purpose, structure, and objectives of the consortium.

• ​Explore effective strategies for engaging with the consortium to leverage collaborative opportunities.

​2. SBIR/STTR Data Rights:

• ​Develop a comprehensive understanding of data rights associated with the SBIR/STTR programs.

• ​Explore mechanisms for safeguarding and navigating data rights to ensure the protection of small businesses' intellectual property.

​3. Navy SBIR/STTR Updates:

• ​Stay informed about the latest updates and developments in the Navy's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, including the current topic due dates. 

​Speakers:

​Mariaelena Garcia-Reynante

​Position: Project Lead, Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP) Other Transaction Authority (OTA)

​Business Portfolio Manager, Integrated Cyber Operations (ICO)

​Ms. Mari Garcia-Reynante has 15 years of government service at NIWC Pacific in addition to 20+ years as DoD contractor primarily supporting Navy programs and projects.  She currently serves as the NIWC Pacific IWRP OTA Project Lead functioning as the primary contact for all technical POCs interested in leveraging the IWRP OTA for prototype proposals. In this role she reviews and endorses all NIWC PAC IWRP OTA problem statement submissions to be released to IWRP consortium and overseeing the entire process from problem statement presentation to final award. Ms. Garcia-Reynante serves as the Business Portfolio Manager, representing the Integrated Cyber Operations (ICO) portfolio with industry and academia in numerous forums, including national conferences.

​Lauryn Hiser

​Position: Deputy Program Manager, Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP)

​Deputy Director, International Cooperation Office (ICO)

​Ms. Lauryn Hiser has over a decade of Government service primarily supporting Navy research and development acquisitions. Ms. Hiser started her civil service career as a contract specialist in 2011 for the Naval Air Warfare Center - Weapons Division (NAWCWD) in China Lake, CA. In 2019, Ms. Hiser moved to San Diego and joined the Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC PAC) where she currently serves as Deputy Program Manager for the Information Warfare Research Project (IWRP). In this role, she reviews all NIWC PAC IWRP OTA problem statement submissions and manages them from problem statement presentation to final award. Additionally, she serves as Deputy Director for the NAVWAR International Cooperation Office (ICO) and as a procurement specialist for the DARPA portfolio of over $200M annually. Lauryn holds a bachelor's degree in communications from CSU Fullerton.

​Shadi Azoum

​Position: NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Program Manager

​Mr. Shadi Azoum is the current Program Manager for the NAVWAR Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR), Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR), and Rapid Innovation Fund (RIF) Program Management Offices. He has served in this position since June 2016. Prior to this position, Mr. Azoum led the Science and Technology (S&T) portfolio for PEO C4I, PMW 130 (Information Assurance and Cyber Security Program Office) as the Assistant Program Manager (APM) for Science and Technology (S&T) since May 2011. Mr. Azoum has a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Computer Science and Master of Science (MS) in Information Security from Florida State University.

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​Gretel von Son

​Position: Connect SBIR/STTR Director

​Gretel von Son is the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Director at Connect, a position created to support the SBIR/STTR Program by helping make connections between government, industry and academia, more accessible. Gretel previously supported the NAVWAR SBIR/STTR Program Office, and has experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. She has published work in Advanced Materials, ACS Nano and Nature Communications. Gretel has earned a Bachelor’s in Chemistry, and a Master’s in Business Administration.

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