Return on Investment from 

Federal Research

NIST Visiting Committee

February 7, 2018

Phillip Singerman, Ph.D

Associate Director for Innovation & Industry Services
Today’s Agenda

• Overview of Federal Law and Policy in Tech Transfer, and Related NIST Authorities

– Paul Zielinski, Director NIST Technology Partnerships Office

• Panel Discussion of Benefits and Limitations of Current Technology Transfer Policy

– Moderator: Henry Wixon, NIST Chief Counsel 

– Rochelle Blaustein , Deputy Director, Office of Technology Transitions, US Department of Energy

– Stephen Auvil , Senior Vice President, Technology Transfer & Commercialization, Maryland 

Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO)

– Gayatri Varma , Director, Collaborations Partnering & Strategy Washington D.C. Metro Area 

Biotechnology MedImmune

• Plan and Vision for NIST Efforts in Federal Technology Transfer Policy

– Walter Copan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director

• Discussion
Previous VCAT Session

• Last time we presented on this topic was October 2012 with a focus on 

NIST activities 

https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2017/05/09/Upda

te-on-Technology-Transfer-VCAT-October-2012.pdf

• We promised to:

– Develop a plan to increase transfer to partners

– Expand our view of technology transfer and track outcomes

– Improve our economic impact assessment
NIST Technology Transfer Policy Committee (TTPC)

• Established by Patrick Gallagher, Under Secretary of Commerce for 

Standards and Technology and NIST Director, December 2011

• Charge to Committee: “To develop a more comprehensive definition of 

technology transfer, and to identify improvements to processes and 

metrics that would more accurately capture the full impact of our 

scientific enterprise. The policy guidance this Committee provides will 

help establish and more conscious and comprehensive technology 

transfer strategy...”
Accomplishments

• NIST Technology Transfer Policy http://nist.gov/tpo/publications/upload/NISTTech-Transfer-Policy-2012_rev_REDUCED.pdf

• Expanded Definition of Technology Transfer

• Expanded Set of Technology Transfer Activity Metrics

• Economic Impact Analysis

• Streamlined Agreements

• Refocused Patenting Process

• Resolved Intellectual Property Conflict of Interest Issues

• Open Source Implications
NIST TTPC Recommendation November 2012

“Technology transfer is the overall process by which 

NIST knowledge, facilities, or capabilities in 

measurement science, standards and technology 

promote U.S. innovation and industrial 

competitiveness in order to enhance economic 

security and improve quality of life.” 
Technology Transfer Mechanisms

• NIST Technology and Work Products

– Participation in Documentary Standards 

Committees 

– Standard Reference Data

– Standard Reference Materials 

– Patents and Licensing

– Software and Other Downloadable 

Products 

– Technical Publications 

• NIST Collaborations 

– CRADAs

– User Facilities – Research Participants 

– Postdoctoral Researchers 

– Guest Researchers 

– Start-ups and Young Companies 

– Calibration

– Accreditation Services 

– Small Business Innovation Research 

Conferences, Workshops, and Inquiries 

• Assessing the Economic Impact of – Competitions/Prizes

Technology Transfer
Reconvening the NIST TTPC 

• Reconvened by Kent Rochford, Acting NIST Director, July 2017

• Charge to Committee: “It is important that NIST continue to serve as an 

exemplary program in this area, given our leadership role across 

government agencies. The focus on NIST’s policy role, combined with the 

responsibility of carrying our own plan, again offers NIST a leadership 

opportunity to redefine the way the Federal Government things about tech 

transfer...NIST is currently developing a long term strategic plan for the 

laboratory programs. To further this objective, I am asking the Committee 

to consider how the technology transfer activities can support this plan and 

enhance engagement with external partners.” 
Technology Transfer Policy Committee FY 2018 Membership

• Associate Director for Laboratory Programs – Kent Rochford

• Director, NCNR – Robert Dimeo

• Director, MML – Eric Lin

• Director, EL – Howard Harary

• Director, PCO – Jason Boehm

• Chief, Budget Division – Eddie Rivera

• NIST Chief Counsel – Henry Wixon

• Associate Director for Innovation & Industry Services (Chair) – Phillip 

Singerman