I’m a panel reviewer for NSF SBIR and the comment about a “preferred vendor already being chosen” is absolutely not true. In fact, firms that have been funded for years by govt grants are at a disadvantage compared to “true” startups.
Anyway, a better wording may be "vendors in specific geographies with specialized skills".
The process is not as open as it appears. There is a strong bias for specialization.
Has, including its affiliates, not more than 500 employees and meets the other regulatory requirements found in 13 CFR 121.
That's from a DOE SBIR/STTR Phase I application.
I just submitted another SBIR application. Not a really happy about would I delivered in the application, but in the end, to use the words of two of my friends who got an SBIR I +II "It is not an open race". Unfortunately. So the other option is to get funded for the project is China. They shit you with money there if you bring tech.