The purpose of technology transfer is to strengthen the nation's economy by accelerating the application of federal laboratory technology and resources to public and private sector needs and opportunities. The government, through the laboratory, provides personnel, facilities, equipment, or other resources to the nonfederal parties. Federal laboratories can be reimbursed by the nonfederal parties but cannot provide funds to the nonfederal parties. The nonfederal parties can provide funds, personnel, facilities, equipment, or other resources to conduct specific research and development. PLAs can be exclusive or nonexclusive, for a specific field of use or geographical area.
Licensees develop plans for commercialization of the invention.
Legal instruments under which a Government agency can carry out certain activities that cannot be more properly executed under other, more appropriate agreements. An agreement initiated by a state or local government agency for support that is not reasonably and expeditiously available through normal private-sector business channels. An agreement under which a Defense laboratory works with an educational institution to encourage and enhance study in scientific disciplines at all levels of education. A cost-sharing contract in which the contractor receives no fee and bears some of the risk of cost overruns by agreeing to pay a predetermined portion of its allowable costs. Appropriate where the contractor is expected to receive a significant commercial benefit from performance of the contract.