Exemplar Practices for Department of Defense Technology Transfer

January, 2013
IDA document: P-4957
FFRDC: Science and Technology Policy Institute
Authors:
Authors
Susannah V. Howieson, Stephanie S. Shipp, Gina K. Walejko, Pamela B. Rambow, Vanessa Peña, Sherrica S. Holloman, Phillip N. Miller See more authors
This report discusses exemplar practices recommended by Department of Defense (DoD) laboratory staff, Offices of Research and Technology Applications (ORTAs), DoD legal staff, and other stakeholders to transfer technology from the laboratory to the marketplace. The purpose is to inform staff at DoD laboratories and technology transfer offices about these practices and encourage their adoption across the DoD. Using themes identified in a review of academic literature, government reports, and legal documents on technology transfer, the research team interviewed DoD laboratory ORTA and legal staff and other stakeholders. From the data collected from these interviews, the research team selected 24 practices as exemplar and organized them into the following categories: ensuring effective ORTA organization and staffing; empowering, training, and rewarding scientists and engineers; capturing and managing intellectual property; using technology transfer mechanisms to full potential; managing and monitoring technology transfer processes; marketing laboratory technologies and capabilities to industry; and building partnerships. Many DoD technology transfer organizations have implemented creative approaches within the boundaries of existing regulations, directives, and instructions. The adoption of these exemplar practices is likely to accelerate the transfer of innovations to the marketplace.