Pacific West Area

David Nicholson

USDA, ARS, OTT

800 Buchanan Street

Albany, CA 94710

Phone: (510) 559-5641

Fax: (510) 559-6091

E-mail: pwattc@ars.usda.gov

Cotton Technology Transfer and Education 

Coordinator

Thomas D. Valco

USDA, ARS, OTT

141 Experiment Station Road

Stoneville, MS 38776

Phone: (662) 686-5255

Fax: (662) 686-5372

E-mail: cttec@ars.usda.gov

Technology Licensing Program 

Coordinator

June Blalock

USDA, ARS, OTT

5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 4-1174

Beltsville, MD 20705-5131

Phone: (301) 504-5989

Fax: (301) 504-5060

E-mail: ottlicensing@ars.usda.gov

Office of Technology Transfer 

Marketing Staff

Tara T. Weaver-Missick

USDA, ARS, OTT

5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Room 4-1172

Beltsville, MD 20705-5131

Phone: (301) 504-6965

Fax: (301) 504-5060

E-mail: ottmarketing@ars.usda.gov

ARS Mission

The Agricultural Research Service conducts research 

to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high national priority and provides information access and dissemination to:

• ensure high-quality, safe food and other agricultural 

products,

• assess the nutritional needs of Americans,

• sustain a competitive agricultural economy,

• enhance the natural resource base and the environment, and provide economic opportunities for rural 

citizens, communities, and society as a whole.

Mention of trade names or commercial products 

in this report is solely for the purpose of providing 

specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits 

discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis 

of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where 

applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental 

status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, 

political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance 

program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means 

for communication of program information (Braille, large 

print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET 

Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a 

complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, 

Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., 

Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 

(voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Cover photo: Results of ARS research can be found in 

many consumer products.

Slightly revised February 2008

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service 

Office of Technology Transfer

Program Aid 1706

Forming Partnerships 

With the Agricultural 

Research Service

4-

02).4%$7)4(

3/9).+
Agricultural Research Service 

(ARS)

ARS has a successful history of partnering with 

commercial firms to transfer the fruits of agricultural 

research to U.S. farmers and consumers. The Federal 

Technology Transfer Act of 1986 dramatically changed 

how the Federal government does business, allowing 

Federal laboratories and industry to form commercial 

partnerships that enhance the development of new 

technologies and move them into the marketplace. ARS 

is a leader in the Federal government in transferring 

and marketing new technologies developed from its 

research and has formed numerous partnerships using 

cooperative agreements. The Office of Technology 

Transfer (OTT) facilitates and coordinates these partnerships.

Cooperative Research and 

Development Agreements

A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement 

(CRADA) is appropriate for a commercial firm seeking 

to further develop and commercialize an ARS invention, merge ARS technology with its own technology, 

or jointly discover and develop a new technology. 

CRADAs provide the cooperator the right to negotiate 

an exclusive license to inventions made under the 

agreement, providing confidentiality for information 

generated under the agreement. 

The cooperating firm provides the resources needed 

to develop and commercialize a new product, process, 

or service. The firm may fund additional costs to 

ARS for work done under the agreement, and it may 

contribute personnel, equipment, or materials. ARS 

provides research staff, laboratory facilities, materials, 

equipment, supplies, and other in-kind contributions. 

Both parties bring their expertise to the agreement, 

and both conduct some portion of the work. As with 

its other cooperative agreements, ARS enters into a 

CRADA only when the objective relates to its mission.

Patented livestock sperm-sorting system

ARS developed 100-percent soy ink.
FanteskTM products from ARS-patented technology

Adhesive from cornstarch

Benefits of CRADAs to 

Commercial Firms

• The right to negotiate exclusive 

licenses on patented inventions made 

under an agreement

• Direct access to ARS scientific expertise

• Potential to commercialize new ARS 

technologies

Benefits of CRADAs to ARS

• Wider opportunities for developing 

and transferring technologies

• Feedback from industry on its research 

needs

• Increased familiarity with problems 

related to commercializing a product 

or process

How Commercial Firms Can 

Initiate a CRADA

• Search ARS’s online databases for 

information about its research 

programs (see “Additional Information” section in this brochure)

• Contact ARS scientists responsible for 

research projects of interest

• Develop a brief proposal with the ARS 

scientist and the technology transfer 

coordinator (TTC)

• Obtain appropriate preliminary review 

and clearance for the proposal in your 

firm

• Work with the ARS scientist and the 

TTC to develop a statement of work 

for the agreement

• Obtain approval for the CRADA and 

its proposed research plan in your firm
ARS research 

is evident in the 

development or 

improvement of 

many products.

These apples 

have been 

treated wth an 

anti-browning 

coating developed by ARS.

Other Types of Agreements

ARS enters into other strategic partnerships with 

Federal, State, and private organizations to help 

deliver new technologies to the public. These partnerships are Trust Fund Cooperative Agreements, 

Reimbursable Cooperative Agreements, Non-funded 

Cooperative Agreements, Material Transfer Agreements, and Confidentiality Agreements. ARS TTCs 

can assist with these agreements.

Trust Agreements and Reimbursable Agreements 

are similar to CRADAs but lack the provision for 

negotiating an exclusive license and complete assurances of confidentiality. In both agreements, the cooperator provides funds to ARS. In Trust Agreements, 

ARS receives some or all of the funds when the agreement takes effect. Reimbursable Agreements allow the 

partner to reimburse ARS as required for the research. 

Confidentiality provisions apply to the cooperator’s 

proprietary material, but information developed by 

ARS during either agreement can be withheld from 

public disclosure to protect intellectual property 

rights until a patent application is filed.

ARS scientists use Material Transfer Agreements 

(MTAs) when they want to provide material to 

someone outside ARS but want to maintain control 

over the material and avoid public disclosure. MTAs 

can also be used to bring material into ARS from 

outside parties for research purposes. Generally, an 

MTA specifies what the material is and what it can 

be used for, restricts giving it to a third party without 

permission, prohibits commercial use, and specifies 

its disposition.

ARS scientists enter into a Confidentiality Agreement (CA) with cooperators outside the agency when 

they want to discuss confidential information or data 

that may have patent potential. CAs are also used 

when a company needs to discuss confidential information with ARS scientists. A standard CA may be 

obtained from a TTC or from the ARS Partnering site 

(www.ars.usda.gov/Business/Business.htm).

Z-Trim, a zerocalorie fat 

replacer from 

corn, is now 

available for 

consumers to 

use in cooking.
Patent License Program

Many important ARS discoveries are transferred 

directly to the public without intellectual property 

protection. Some ARS inventions require significant 

financial investments and resources from the private 

sector before the public can benefit from a new, 

improved product or service. To provide an incentive 

for such investments, ARS may patent new inventions 

and transfer technologies to the public through patent 

licenses.

The ARS Office of Technology Transfer (OTT) 

administers the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 

technology licensing program. The ARS technology 

licensing program grants licenses to qualified businesses and individuals who wish to commercialize 

ARS technologies. Licenses may be exclusive, nonexclusive, or partially exclusive, and foreign patent 

rights are available in some cases. 

ARS is 

developing 

new uses for 

kenaf plants. 

ARS developed snack bars containing 100-percent fruit.

ARS is 

protecting 

animal production and health 

through technology.

Lactose-reduced 

products from 

ARS technology
How To Apply for a Patent 

License

Licensing federally owned inventions is done in 

accordance with Federal regulations (37 CFR 404). A 

copy of these regulations can be obtained from the 

technology licensing program coordinator or the ARS 

Partnering site (www.ars.usda.gov/Business/Business.htm). 

Businesses or individuals who want to commercialize an ARS invention must submit a patent license 

application. Information provided with the application is used to determine whether the applicant has 

a sufficient plan for developing and marketing the 

invention. All business plans are kept confidential.

Patent license application forms are available by 

mail or may be downloaded from the ARS Partnering 

site. All patent license applications should be mailed 

to the technology licensing program coordinator.

License Provisions

USDA patent licenses are royalty bearing and include 

provisions for license execution fees, annual license 

maintenance fees, and patent cost reimbursements. 

License fees and royalty rates are negotiable. Information submitted by the applicant—including estimates 

of potential market size, market share, and profitability—is used to help determine fair and reasonable terms. Other factors are also considered, such as 

scope of the licensed patent, scope of rights granted, 

and financial and resource investments required for 

commercialization.

Licensees are required to submit periodic reports 

detailing the progress made to commercialize licensed 

patents. After the first sale of royalty-bearing products, licensees are required to submit royalty reports, 

including information on the quantity of products 

made, used, and sold, and the royalties due USDA. 

This information is confidential and not publicly 

disclosed.

Lady Liberty’s 

elevator is 

powered by 

soy-based fluid 

developed by 

ARS.

ARS technology 

helps bring 

fresher, safer 

ready-to-eat 

produce to the 

supermarket.
Special Considerations

Exclusive or partially exclusive patent licenses—

including licenses that are co-exclusive (limited 

number of licensees), exclusive territory (limited to 

a specific country), and exclusive field (limited to a 

specific use)—may be granted for non-CRADA inventions, but only after public notice has been made. 

Successful Commercial 

Partnerships

ARS continues to foster relationships with many businesses throughout the United States and, in so doing, 

creates new job and economic opportunities. Several 

ARS technologies have resulted from fruitful partnerships or have paved the way for new partnerships. 

Many small businesses have built new industries 

based on ARS research and products. These companies have helped bolster local, State, and national 

economies.

One of the most commercially successful inventions that led to a new business endeavor is SuperSlurper, an ARS-patented cornstarch absorbent that 

can hold 2,000 times its own weight in water. SuperSlurper is used in disposable diapers, body powders, 

batteries, filters, and wound dressings.

A start-up company made its mark on the egg 

industry thanks to an ARS-patented method to immunize poultry by injecting safe vaccines directly into 

eggs. This invention revolutionized vaccination of 

poultry worldwide.

These are just two examples of the many successful 

partnerships. Through such partnerships, the ARS 

Office of Technology Transfer helps deliver innovative 

technologies to a growing world.

Improved 

frozen 

orange juice 

through ARS 

research

Just a few 

of the many 

products 

made from 

cornstarch 

(top) and 

soybeans

(middle)

ARS is developing 

methods to detect 

foodborne pathogens 

like Salmonella (petri 

dish on left).
Additional Information

You can learn more about ARS research and partnering 

opportunities from the resources listed below:

Agricultural Research Service Home Page is 

the electronic gateway to the principal research agency 

of the USDA. ARS conducts research of national scope 

that affects the daily lives of consumers. 

Internet: ars.usda.gov 

ARS Partnering Page contains information on 

partnering opportunities, patent licensing program, 

recently issued patents, and newly filed patent 

applications.

Internet: ars.usda.gov/Business/Business.htm

ARS Research Page describes ARS’s national 

programs and peer review process. The agency’s work 

falls into four major categories: Animal Production, 

Product Value, and Safety; Natural Resources and 

Sustainable Agricultural Systems; Crop Production, 

Product Value, and Safety; and Nutrition, Food Safety/

Quality.

Internet: ars.usda.gov/research/programs.htm

OTT Marketing Staff can provide information 

about technologies available for licensing, partnering 

opportunities, success stories, information on the ARS 

Partnering site, and “Technology Alerts” (e-mail notifi-

cation of available ARS technologies).

E-mail: ottmarketing@ars.usda.gov

Agricultural Research is USDA’s science maga-

zine, published monthly by the ARS Information Staff. 

Articles and photographs are posted monthly on the 

Web.

Internet: ars.usda.gov/is/ar

Technology Transfer Information Center is part 

of the National Agricultural Library. The Center assists 

users in finding information by searching national and 

international databases and other resources.

Internet: nal.usda.gov/ttic

Improved 

quality 

through 

biotechnology 

research

Problem 

solving with 

biocontrol 

strategies

Better 

cheese and 

other dairy 

products

Contact Information

Technology Transfer Coordinators

Beltsville Area

Rob Griesbach

USDA, ARS, OTT

BARC-West Building 003, Room 208

Beltsville, MD 20705-2350

Phone: (301) 504-6421

Fax: (301) 504-6001

E-mail: battc@ars.usda.gov

Midwest Area

Renée Wagner

USDA, ARS, OTT

1815 North University Street

Peoria, IL 61604

Phone: (309) 681-6565

Fax: (309) 681-6688

E-mail: mwattc@ars.usda.gov

Mid South Area and South Atlantic Area

Don Nordlund

USDA, ARS, OTT

950 College Station Road

Athens, GA 30605-2720

Phone: (706) 546-3496

Fax: (706) 546-3401

E-mail: msa-saattc@ars.usda.gov

North Atlantic Area

Vic Chavez

USDA, ARS, OTT

600 East Mermaid Lane

Wyndmoor, PA 19038-8598

Phone: (215) 233-6610

Fax: (215) 233-6777

E-mail: naattc@ars.usda.gov

Northern Plains Area and Southern Plains Area

Bryan Kaphammer 

USDA, ARS, OTT

2150 Centre Avenue, Building D

Fort Collins, CO 80526

Phone: (970) 492-7028

Fax: (970) 492-7023

E-mail: npa-spattc@ars.usda.gov