Section 12 of the Policy Directive establishes guidance for the Federal and State Technology (FAST) Program and Outreach Program. SBA notes that although the Policy Directive contains guidance on this program, Pub. L. 107-50 requires SBA to promulgate regulations establishing standards for the consideration of proposals under FAST, including standards regarding each of the considerations identified in the statute. SBA is currently drafting these regulations. Another comment on FAST stated that there should be a reduced match to encourage outreach to low-income areas of states, even if those states were high-volume states in terms of SBIR awards. There is no mention of low-income states in the proposed Policy Directive.

SBA notes that although this item is not included in the Policy Directive, it is specifically addressed in SBA's annual FAST Program Announcement, which may be found at www.sba.gov/sbir/ indexprograms.html.