Technology Transfer Program
Technology Transfer is the process by which existing knowledge, facilities, or capabilities developed by one organization is shared with partners to further develop and exploit the technology in order to fulfill public and private needs. Technology Transfer is part of DEVCOM Armaments Center's Strategic Management System and is formally recognized as an DEVCOM Armaments Center Mission Enabling Process. DEVCOM Armaments Center uses Technology Transfer to leverage the expertise, technology, and resources of other organizations and share its own in order to support the Mission and remain on the cutting-edge of technology.
Technology Transfer (T2)- Supports a strong industrial base which DoD may utilize to support their needs and the economic security of the United States by transferring the benefits of federally funded R&D to commercial applications (spin-off).
- Provides innovative partnering methods for DoD to acquire the latest technology from private sector sources who may not normally do business with the Federal government through standard procurement processes (spin-on).
- Identifies technologies, capabilities, tools, techniques primarily developed for military purposes which are commercially viable enough to support adaptation and production for industrial or consumer uses.
DEVCOM Armaments Center has a robust Technology Transfer Program, and uses a growing variety of Technology Transfer tools which includes Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), Test Services Agreements (TSAs), Engineering Services Agreements (ESAs), Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs), use of Partnership Intermediaries, and Patent Licensing Agreements (PLA) to name a few.
How We Do It
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is a written agreement between one or more federal laboratories and one or more non-federal parties to work together on research and/or development. Under a CRADA, the parties agree to provide the personnel, facilities, equipment or other resources to conduct specific research and/or development efforts that are consistent with the agency's mission. CRADA’s protect each parties Intellectual Property (IP); each party retains all IP it has developed while jointly developing new IP. It should be noted that while federal laboratories may receive funds from the non-federal partner(s) in a CRADA, they are not allowed to provide funds to non-federal partners.
DEVCOM Armaments Center’s engineering expertise and over 100 unique laboratory and testing facilities are a national asset available to help both our nation's military industrial base and the private sector supporting our nation’s economy. Government laboratories may make available to any person or entity, at a prescribed fee, the services of the government facility for the testing of materials, equipment, models, computer (TSA) and the facilities, services, and equipment of the government laboratory, if the facilities, services, and equipment provided will not be in direct competition with the domestic private sector (ESA). A TSA should be used if the service is to be provided by the laboratory with no technical collaboration by the partner. Under a TSA, the services performed must legitimately be the testing of materials, equipment, models, computer software, or other items. A TSA is not appropriate for research studies or investigations nor does it authorize the sale of products; only services. The only limitation on participants for TSAs and ESAs is that they may not be agencies of foreign governments. (10 U.S.C. § 2539b)
DEVCOM Armaments Center has the authority to license its intellectual property rights on behalf of the government. A PLA can be granted on patents already issued or applications filed by the government under an exclusive, partially exclusive or non-exclusive basis. The purpose of a PLA is to commercialize federally owned technology for the benefit of the U.S. economy. See our Patents section to see what Intellectual Property has been developed by DEVCOM Armaments Center.
Educational partnership agreements (EPA) are formal agreements between a DoD Laboratory and an educational institution or any other nonprofit institutions dedicated to improving science, mathematics, business, law, technology transfer or transition and engineering education, to transfer and/or enhance technology applications and provide technology assistance for all levels of education. Through the EPA the laboratory can loan equipment, declare as surplus and transfer (donate) equipment, make laboratory personnel available to teach or assist in developing courses, involve faculty and students in research, etc. (10 U.S.C. § 2194)
The Armaments Center’s IR&D/TIM process fosters communication between industry and the Armaments Center while advancing the “Better Buying Power 3.0” initiatives. Through the IR&D/TIM process, the Armaments Center and its PEO/PM customers work together to determine needs and identify compatible and competent industry partners that are able to address these needs. The Armaments Center clearly communicates the requirement gaps to matching industry partners at precisely the most productive moment: prior to their future year IR&D project planning cycle. These targeted communications encourage unique partnerships with companies focusing in technology areas with the most potential impact to the Army’s needs. For information on IR&D/TIM, please e-mail: usarmy.pica.ccdc-ac.mbx.ir-and-d@mail.mil Phone: (973) 724-6043/9398/7953
Patents
Mission
DEVCOM Armaments Center's mission is to lead research, development and engineering of systems solutions to arm those who defend the nation against all current and future threats, both at home and abroad.
The DEVCOM Armaments Center T2 Office supports the DEVCOM Armaments Center mission by utilizing Technology Transfer tools to develop domestic and international partnerships with a wide variety of organizations (industry, academia and other Government organizations, etc.) to accelerate the development and transition of new technologies for our Nation’s Warfighters. DEVCOM Armaments Center's research investments have also demonstrated commercial spin-off benefits for the nation's civilian economy. DEVCOM Armaments Center's partners, utilizing various Technology Transfer Mechanisms, receive the benefits of DEVCOM Armaments Center's multi-discipline expertise, vast experience, and unique facilities.
Facilities
View the list of DEVCOM Armaments Center Facilities here.