T2 Mechanisms

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)

The most common and flexible way for federal labs to work with the public sector, and vice versa, is through collaborative R&D agreements. The Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is one of the most significant mechanisms for T2, and through them a federal lab can commit resources such as personnel, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources—but not funds—to any interested nonfederal party. A CRADA serves as a contract of sorts, whereby both parties should have the same expectations and understanding about the outcome of the agreement.

Material Transfer Agreement (MTA)

Allows material to be provided by one party to the other for experimental testing and analysis, and no additional collaboration occurs.

Commercial Test Agreement (CTA)

The Commercial Test Agreement (CTA) can offer access to the Air Force’s large number of unique resources, such as its “best and brightest” scientists and engineers, and unique, world-class Air Force laboratories and test facilities. Expertise is also available in the full spectrum of related aerospace technologies as well as manufacturing and design services, structural analysis and modeling support for testing.

Educational Partnership Agreement (EPA)

The Educational Partnership Agreement (EPA) is a formal agreement between a defense laboratory and an educational institution to transfer and/ or enhance technology applications and to provide technology assistance for all levels of education (pre-kindergarten and up).

Information Transfer Agreement

ITAs allow the Air Force to share government developed software. Software executable files, source codes, or both may be shared under the agreement with industry or academic partner.

Patent & Software Licensing

The licensing of government-owned software and patents is used frequently to promote the utilization and commercialization of inventions that are developed in federal labs through agency-supported R&D. The government may grant licenses to the private sector. Interested parties should search our IP database for opportunities. https://techlinkcenter.org/