DENVER – Vescent Photonics, Inc., a laser technology company located in Golden, Colorado, agreed to pay $402,621 to resolve allegations that it violated the False Claims Act by using contractors located outside of the United States in research projects funded by the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
The SBIR program is a federal program intended to foster eligible small businesses in the United States through federally funded research and development awards. Awards are made by various government agencies to eligible small businesses for them to use domestically, in conducting research and developing technology with potential commercial benefits. The government does not own the research it subsidizes through the SBIR program or share in the profits from commercial applications. In order to ensure that taxpayer dollars are properly spent, the Small Business Administration, and each agency issuing awards, publishes eligibility requirements for participation in the program. One eligibility requirement for SBIR funds is that all research and development must be performed in the United States. More details on the SBIR program are available at https://www.sbir.gov/faqs/general-questions.
According to the United States, Vescent, a company that conducts research and development of complex laser technologies, applied for and received two SBIR awards, one from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and one from the United States Air Force. Vescent...
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