Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA)
The mission of the Office of Research & Technology Applications (ORTA) is to facilitate access of federally-funded Research and Development (R&D) efforts by private industry, academia, state and local governments, and non-profit organizations. This is accomplished primarily through marketing, technical outreach, cooperative research and development, and the licensing of intellectual property.
Technology transfer is a process where Federal Government technologies and products developed are provided to potential users in a manner that encourages and accelerates their commercial applications. These include CRADAs and PLAs.
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)
CRADAs are legal instruments that are sanctioned by the Federal Technology Transfer Act of 1986. These agreements allow federal laboratories and R&D Centers to conduct collaborative research and developmentwith non-government organizations. Because the federal government cannot provide funding under these agreements, CRADAs are not subject to Federal Acquisition Regulations and Defense Acquisition Regulations. However, the federal government may provide manpower, facilities, and equipment to the non- government organization. The non-government organization may provide funding, manpower, facilities, and equipment to the federal government under CRADAs.
Patent License Agreement (PLA)
PLAs serve as a technology transfer vehicle. PLAs license commercial companies to commercially exploit patented government-developed technology. The government retains the rights to use the technology for government purposes. Royalty fees, legal rights, and other terms and conditions on the use of the technology are negotiated by the company and the government laboratory. PLAs can be exclusive, partially exclusive, or non-exclusive.
AMSRD-AMR-AS-PT
Bldg. 5400
Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898
Phone: 256-876-8743
