What is due diligence?

Due diligence is a risk assessment to protect U.S. intellectual property and defense capabilities. The due diligence investigation confirms or denies reported interests and associations and uncovers unreported factors representing potential conflicts of commitment or interest. As it pertains to congressional requirements for the SBIR and STTR Programs, due diligence primarily focuses on confirming, denying, or uncovering facts or details of Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence, cybersecurity hygiene, and patent risk of each proposal.