AI SBIR Phase II Proposal Strategy Playbook

Your firm completed a successful SBIR Phase I for an Air Force AI-powered logistics optimization tool. You received a 92/100 score and a Phase I-to-Phase II transition recommendation. The Phase II solicitation requires a $1.75M proposal with a path to commercialization and DoD transition. You have 60 days to submit.

When to use this playbook

• Use this playbook when the decision looks like the situation above: Your firm completed a successful SBIR Phase I for an Air Force AI-powered logistics optimization tool.
• It is a fit when you have source files in hand and need a structured, reviewable analysis — not a generic chat answer about "SBIR Phase II Proposal Strategy".
• Do not use it as a substitute for licensed, legal, clinical, or authorized official judgment in the domain.

What you'll need

• Phase I final report and technical results
• Phase II solicitation requirements (BAA section)
• Air Force Program Executive Office logistics modernization strategy (public)
• Commercialization potential assessment from Phase I
• 3 examples of successful Phase II awards in AI/logistics (public abstracts)

Attachments: Documents (Documents)

You are a proposal manager developing an SBIR Phase II strategy for an Air Force AI logistics tool. I am attaching:

Work only from the attached source files. If a conclusion is not supported, say so.

Produce:
1. Identify the Phase II evaluation criteria priorities: technical merit vs. commercialization potential vs. transition readiness—and recommend the page and content allocation accordingly.
2. Develop the commercialization strategy: who are the Phase III buyers (DoD transition plus commercial market), what is the revenue model, and what evidence do we have of market demand?
3. Draft the technology transition plan: which Air Force program office is the most likely Phase III partner, who is the champion, and what is the timeline?
4. Identify the 3 technical milestones for Phase II that will be most compelling to evaluators and demonstrate de-risking of the technology.
5. Tell me what a 92/100 Phase I score means in terms of competitive advantage and what the top 3 ways are to convert that score into a Phase II award.

Call out where independent models are likely to disagree, and list follow-up documents a reviewer should request.

What to expect

• Evaluation criteria allocation recommendation
• Commercialization strategy with Phase III buyer map
• Technology transition plan with program office targets
• 3 compelling technical milestone proposals
• Phase I score conversion strategy

Review before you act

• Validate this output against source files before relying on it: Identify the Phase II evaluation criteria priorities: technical merit vs. commercialization potential vs. transition readiness—and recommend the page and content allocation accordingly.
• Validate this output against source files before relying on it: Develop the commercialization strategy: who are the Phase III buyers (DoD transition plus commercial market), what is the revenue model, and what evidence do we have of market demand?.
• Validate this output against source files before relying on it: Draft the technology transition plan: which Air Force program office is the most likely Phase III partner, who is the champion, and what is the timeline?.
• Validate this output against source files before relying on it: Identify the 3 technical milestones for Phase II that will be most compelling to evaluators and demonstrate de-risking of the technology.
• Confirm every cited figure, date, counterparty, or requirement against the attached originals — models compress and can drop a qualifier.
• Treat disagreement between models as a review item, especially on classification, materiality, and recommended next action.
• Do not authorize an operational, clinical, legal, credit, or enforcement action solely because the models agree.