Federal Labs: Resourceful and Innovative 

Partners

Mojdeh Bahar, J.D., M.A., CLP

Coordinator, Mid-Atlantic Region, FLC

Chief, Cancer Branch, OTT, NIH

October 6, 2009
• Federal technology transfer is the movement of 

technology, knowledge, facilities, or capabilities from 

one sector to another

– Between government entities

– Between the government and the private sector

• Federal technology transfer

– Results in commercialization of new products

– Enhances laboratory and/or agency mission 

objectives

What is Federal Technology 

Transfer?
What Is the FLC?

The FLC is the only 

government-wide forum for 

technology transfer
• The FLC was formally chartered by Congress 

under the Federal Technology Transfer Act

• The FLC is composed of technology transfer 

professionals from more than 700 federal 

laboratories, their respective agencies, and 

affiliated organizations

• 18 departments and agencies participate, 

conducting $90 billion in R&D annually and 

employing over 100,000 scientists and 

engineers

What Is the FLC? (Cont.)
The vision of the FLC is to actively promote the 

fullest application and use of federal research and 

development by providing an environment for 

successful technology transfer. The Consortium 

will be the recognized leader in maximizing 

collaborative research and transferring federal 

technologies to enhance the socioeconomic wellbeing of the nation in the global marketplace

FLC Vision
 Provide improved 

communication and 

accessibility to individual 

laboratories in each region

– Northeast

– Mid-Atlantic

– Southeast

– Midwest

– Mid-Continent

– Far West 

FLC Regions
Mid-Atlantic Region (MAR)

 Although small in size, MAR is densely populated by 

Federal Labs as well as Agency Headquarters

 Wide variety of technologies

 Many different resources and collaboration 

mechanisms: licensing, CRADAs, research 

opportunities, work for others, unique facilities, 

scientific expertise, etc.

 The most educated work force in the US is in this 

region

 The presence of many research universities in the area
Bioimaging and the Federal Labs

 Many government agencies are potential partners 

in bioimaging, e.g., HHS (NIH, CDC); DOC (NIST); 

DOD (Army, Air Force, Navy); Veteran Affairs; 

DOE; USDA; and NASA.

 An example of partnership in this area is NASANCI-Catholic University of America-University of 

Maryland in the NanoBioSensor Initiative
 Technology Locator Network

- Centralized service for reviewing and 

routing requests from potential partners to 

the appropriate resource

- Serves as a point-of-entry to federal 

laboratory expertise and technology

- Responds to requests, monitors and 

coordinates responses, provides user 

feedback, and reports on the level of 

activity

- Uses network of representatives and online 

resources to put potential partner in contact 

with a federal laboratory that has required 

expertise and capability

FLC Products and Services: 

Technology Locator
• FLC Technology Transfer Desk Reference -

Provides a T2 overview and details 

Cooperative Research and Development 

Agreements, intellectual property, 

marketing, legislation, patents and 

licensing, and more

• Federal Technology Transfer Legislation 

and Policy (“Green Book”) - Details 

history and legislation associated with 

federal technology transfer

FLC Products & Services: 

Education & Training
• Federal T2 Mechanisms Matrix

FLC Products & Services: 

Education & Training (Cont.)
Thank you for your kind attention