Barnes Bullets Takes a Shot at Commercializing a New Design with SBIR Funding

Impact Area(s)

[ X ] Brokering new ideas, technologies and services to businesses/entrepreneurs

[    ]  Engaging entrepreneurs/professors & connecting them to Utah's research universities

[ X ] Screening ideas/technologies to support those with the most growth potential

[    ]  Connecting market ideas/technologies in businesses/colleges with Utah's research universities

[ X ] Assisting the client in developing commercial applications for their research

[    ]  Disseminating & sharing discoveries & technologies thus created

Need  

Barnes Bullets is one of the world's foremost developers and producers of high-performance, solid copper and brass, non-toxic, expanding bullets for both commercial hunting and also military load applications. Located in Utah County, Barnes has been an MEP client for several years, and recently with the help of MEP Utah, became aware of the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. A solicitation for an all-purpose, non-toxic, military small arms round with high level performance specifications was made known to Barnes through some business contacts.
    

No one at Barnes had ever been involved in responding to an SBIR solicitation. However, Barnes officials felt confident they had technology that could meet the military specifications. They wanted to propose to develop a new, Multi-Purpose "Green" (MPG) projectile to meet the desired objectives and specifications of the SOCOM Enhanced Small Arms Ammunition solicitation. Barnes felt it could utilize its patented copper bullet technology, combined with recent advances in powdered metal technology, to achieve this. Barnes also was confident it could gather the support and team up with existing world-class industry experts with whom it already had relationships in all phases of the R&D, testing, production, and commercialization of this new projectile and ammunition.

MEP Assistance

MEP Utah developed a detailed "Guidelines for Writing a Successful SBIR Phase I Proposal" document that enabled professionals at Barnes Bullets to develop their first SBIR proposal with a minimal amount of additional onsite consulting and editorial assistance. MEP monitored the proposal development process, offering encouragement and some suggestions for narrative completion. Operating under tight time constraints, Barnes was able to formulate the necessary strategic partnerships, obtain letters of support, and complete and submit an excellent SBIR Phase I application that has a high probability of being funded by mid-2006.

Economic Impacts

If funded, the Phase I grant will generate $100,000 in research assistance to help Barnes design, develop and test its new MPG round in both 5.56mm and 7.62mm caliber ammunition. 
 

Testimony

"We're extremely pleased with the information and technical assistance we received from MEP Utah. We'd never have been able to submit the SBIR Phase I proposal without their help." (Clark Bronson, CFO, & Tim Janzen, VP of R&D, Barnes Bullets)

Submitted by: Barry L. Bartlett, Consultant         Date of service: December 2005-January 13, 2006

Date submitted: January 31, 2006                       Number of Employees: 50