Amendments relating to open topics

(a) Definition of open topic announcement Section 9(e) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(e)), as amended by section 202(2), is further amended by adding at the end the following: (23) the term open topic announcement means a solicitation for SBIR or STTR proposals that— (A) is a generalized problem statement or broad technology area and does not contain any language requiring that the solutions that a small business concern proposes adhere to specific technological specifications; and (B) evaluates the ability of the solution proposed by the small business concern to meet the stated innovation need of the agency or Government end user; and. (b) Program on innovation open topics Section 9(ww) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638) is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking Secretary of Defense and inserting head of each participating agency; and (B) by striking the Department of Defense each place it appears and inserting such participating agency; (2) in paragraph (2)— (A) by striking Secretary of Defense and inserting head of each participating agency; (B) by striking each component of and inserting such participating agency and, with respect to; and (C) by inserting, each component thereof, before per fiscal year; and (3) by striking paragraph (3).