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weeks, SBA is working to improve its programs and to be more 

 responsive to its small business customers. These improvements to 

 the SBIR program, based partly on observed need and partly on GAO 

 recommendations, include: 



• Maximum use of computerized communications of program 

 information to the public. For example, the Pre-Solicitation 

 Announcement previously printed and distributed through the 

 mails is now available to the public through posting it on the 

 SBA computerized bulletin board. 



• Development of an interagency computerized award 

 information system is now underway. This process was 

 initiated about a year ago but recently was among the 

 recommendations of the GAO to provide interagency access to 

 current information regarding SBIR awards. This effort, with 

 the development of improved definitions regarding "duplicate" 

 research, should further foreclose opportunities for possible 

 fraud in the program. 



• Review, at the recommendation of the GAO as to whether 

 the certification form that accompanies SBIR proposals needs 

 to be improved. This review is being made with the 

 cooperation of participating agencies. 



• Efforts with the participating agencies to reduce the gap 



