Durham firm nears Phase 2 SBIR award

A proposal by Applied GeoSolutions LLC of Durham is among the 140 selected by NASA to be negotiated for a contract award through the Small Business Innovation Research Program.

Funding for the Phase 2 funding could be up to $600,000 for a two-year period. NASA will award contracts to 124 small high-technology firms from 34 states. Applied GeoSolutions is currently working on the research and development of geospatial technology, which is capable of monitoring environmental changes.

The company earned negotiation rights for its proposal to develop a prototype of a computerized system that uses satellite imagery and other data systems to map and monitor rangeland conditions of two Arizona watersheds company founder Bill Salas told NHBR Daily.

“By doing this we will be able to demonstrate how well the system works,” Salas said. “This phase is where we do the technical tire-kicking.” After successful completion of phase II Salas hopes to move toward the final phase of the SBIR program which includes commercialization of this technology.

Applied GeoSolutions received a six-month, $70,000 Phase I SBIR award in November 2004. — TRACIE STONE