Executive SummaryTechnology transfer is the process of sharing, transmitting, or conveying technology, data, and information (intellectual property) between government agencies, industry, and academia. The broad goal of this assessment was to identify exemplar practices for technology transfer recommended by Department of Defense (DoD) laboratory staff, DoD Offices of Research and Technology Applications (ORTAs), DoD legal staff, and other stakeholders. The purpose is to inform all personnel at DoD laboratories and technology transfer offices about these practices and encourage their adoption across the DoD.
Literature ReviewA review of academic literature, government reports, and legal documents on technology transfer highlighted strategies and factors for success, but not specific practices. The exemplar practices presented in the literature focus on high-level strategies to improve technology transfer at DoD laboratories. These strategies include providing guidance to DoD laboratories to strategically plan and engage in technology transfer; to empower and reward researchers to engage in technology transfer; to create effective and efficient technology transfer offices; to establish processes that streamline executing technology transfer agreements; and to leverage other technology transfer resources at the local, State, and national levels.The literature identified the following critical factors for a successful technology transfer program: an effective ORTA, engaged researchers, well-managed intellectual property, effective use of technology transfer mechanisms, efficient technology transfer processes, and meaningful interaction with industry through marketing or partnerships.The literature also highlighted challenges for implementing and encouraging technology transfer at DoD laboratories. For example, the DoD is more focused on technology transition than technology transfer. The goal of technology transition is to spin DoD-developed technologies back into the DoD as products and processes. In addition, many DoD technologies may not be relevant to commercialization in the private sector or may be classified or sensitive. The private sector is concerned with cost and performance, while the DoD often weights performance as more important, especially when it comes to weapon systems.
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MethodologyInterviews with DoD laboratory ORTA staff and other stakeholders were the primary data-collection method used for this assessment. Using the themes identified in the literature, the research team developed a guide for gathering information on practices and policy recommendations based on semi-structured interviews with technology transfer practitioners, experts, and stakeholders. These interviews were held between June and September 2012.Programs and processes identified during the discussions were considered exemplar practices for technology transfer at DoD laboratories if they resulted in measurable outputs or outcomes (e.g., reduction in the number of days to execute agreements or increase in the number of agreemen...
