My $.02 as someone who has applied for multiple SBIR grants with one winning proposal.
1. Government proposal selection is painstakingly tedious and slow.
2. There are actual politics involved with final selections and winners may be pre-selected to win through information back channels that exist outside of the official process.
2. Big contracting firms (GD, Boeing, British Aerospace, Leidos, etc.) with a lot of political muscle and connections pair with connected small companies and individuals to help them win these contracts. It's not only allowed that they do this - it's actually suggested. [1] In return they get consulting fees and free R&D for future product lines.
1. Government proposal selection is painstakingly tedious and slow. 2. There are actual politics involved with final selections and winners may be pre-selected to win through information back channels that exist outside of the official process. 2. Big contracting firms (GD, Boeing, British Aerospace, Leidos, etc.) with a lot of political muscle and connections pair with connected small companies and individuals to help them win these contracts. It's not only allowed that they do this - it's actually suggested. [1] In return they get consulting fees and free R&D for future product lines.
[1] https://www.sbir.gov/tutorials/preparing-proposal/tutorial-4