Lee W. Mercer
NASBIC: National Association of Small Business Investment Companies
666 11th Street, N.W. Suite 750
Washington, DC 20001

Voice: (202) 628 5055
Fax: (202) 628-5080

The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program would not have become law in 1982 if a few key persons had not been there to pioneer the effort. One of the most important in that regard was Lee Mercer who was then legislative director and counsel to U.S. Senator Warren Rudman (R. NH). the efforts of Lee and of Senator Rudman on behalf of the then controversial concept of SBIR were critically important to passage of the SBIR enabling legislation.

Lee initially proposed the concept of the SBIR program to Senator Rudman for his sponsorship as legislation in 1981 and then provided overall management and strategy leadership of the legislation as it made its way through both the House and Senate in 1981 and 1982. He did not waiver when all of the eleven largest federal R&D agencies which would be affected by the legislation, the Administration, and many elected officials initially supported the strong opposition mounted by the traditional recipients of federal R&D funding. Among the opposition were some of the nationÕs largest and most politically powerful research universities, laboratories, and private corporations. Even after passage of the SBIR legislation in 1982, Lee was called upon often during the next two years to defend the program against efforts to derail its full implementation within government agencies.

It took a great deal of courage for Lee and Senator Rudman to hold firm in their advocacy for the SBIR legislation. The ultimate success of the SBIR program is testimony to that strong resolve and to the effectiveness of their strategy at the time. Clearly, without LeeÕs personal commitment and efforts as Senator RudmanÕs legislative director and counsel, things may have been very different.

Lee continued his support for SBIR when he moved from Senator RudmanÕs staff to other positions in the government: first as Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Export Administration and then as Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce (and acting Under Secretary) for TechnologyÑwhich includes the National Astute for Standards and Technology and its Advanced Technology Program. Both involved the participation of many SBIR firms. His support has continued even after he left government. He promoted the program as an example of excellence in government to the Clinton Administration in early 1992 as part of the study by Vice President Gore on ways to improve government and gave sound advice to congressional staff and other SBIR advocates during the reauthorization process that same year. Most recently, as an advisor, Lee has helped launch the new Small Business Technology Coalition (SBTC), which is directly involved in advocating, protecting, and building legislative support for the SBIR and STTR programs. In his position as president of the National Associations of Small Business Investment Companies, Lee has provided support for SBTC in its formative stage and has sought to increase the effectiveness of the SBTC program in providing financial support for SBIR companies seeking venture capital.

Lee Mercer was a critical pioneer in the initiation and implementation of the original SBIR legislation and remains active in his support of the program. He is a worthy recipient of this award recognizing those who have made substantial contributions to the SBIR program.