Partners in Science: Federal Technology Transfer Act (FTTA)

What's New

Collaborations for Development of EPA's ToxCast^TM Program for Predicting Toxicity
(PDF, 3pp., 23KB, about PDF)
EPA Expands Agreement to Further Work in Green Chemistry
Identification of Bacterial DNA Markers for the Detection of Human Fecal Pollution in Water
EPA FTTA Patent Catalog (PDF, 20pp., 1.10MB, about PDF)

The EPA seeks opportunities to transfer federal technologies into the marketplace, and collaborate on environmental research and development projects with outside entities, such as industry, consortia, academia, trade associations, and state and local agencies. The Federal Technology Transfer Act (FTTA) provides a mechanism for these cooperative research and development partnerships. Through the FTTA program, federal agencies can conduct joint research with non-federal partners and protect intellectual property that may be developed. The alliance that is formed through the FTTA program supports and improves US competitive positions worldwide, helps remove barriers to collaboration, and encourages cooperative research and development with the goal of commercialization.

EPA FTTA program partners benefit from cooperative research and development agreements (CRADAs) by tapping into EPA's resources and knowledge base to conduct joint research and technology commercialization. Other benefits include:

Access to EPA laboratory facilities. By entering into CRADAs, non-federal partners can conduct research in EPA's scientific facilities;
Collaboration with EPA scientists and engineers to work on cutting-edge research projects;
Opportunities for licensing patented technologies and bringing new technologies to the marketplace.

Quick Reference

EPATechmatch.com - A website to search all EPA patents, as well as view lab capabilities, EPA tech needs and more. View Press Release
Recently-Issued EPA Patents
FTTA Factsheet (PDF, 1pp., 135KB, about PDF)

There are also many benefits of cooperative research and development to the public at large. These include:

Research projects that lead to better protection of human health and the environment;
Government research reaches the marketplace;
Collaboration enhances the quality of products;
New environmental technology reaches the field quickly.

CRADAs are negotiated agreements between specific laboratories and non-federal partners that outline the terms and conditions under which work will be performed. CRADAs set out the project scope, resources to be provided by each party, and will often contain provisions regarding licensing, commercialization, and patent development. While laboratories cannot transfer funds to the cooperating partner under a CRADA, they can exchange personnel, equipment, or services. CRADAs can be established between interested parties to transfer resources from non-government organizations to the federal government so that both parties can share jointly in research and development patents. Licensing agreements and royalty rights are also covered under these agreements.

Support Provided by EPA's Technology Transfer Staff

Assist in identifying research suitable for cooperative efforts
Assist EPA researchers in identifying potential partners
Assist partners in identifying opportunities for EPA collaboration
Market assessment of technologies developed by EPA researchers
Tracking and reporting
Coordination with General Counsel on intellectual property protection

For more information, contact Sarah Bauer at (202) 564-3267 or bauer.sarah@epa.gov.

FY 2005 CRADA Statistics

Number of new CRADAs: 33
Total Resources: $3.1M

EPA's Cooperative Agreement with the
West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation

The West Virginia High Technology Consortium Foundation (WVHTC) has a congressionally authorized cooperative agreement with the EPA. Through this agreement, the HTF helps partners in identifying EPA research and technologies that have market and license potential.

FY 2005 Patent Statistics

New Inventions Reported: 12
New Patent Applications: 13
New Patents Issued: 9
Royalties Paid to EPA Inventors: $188K
Royalties Paid to EPA Labs: $478K

Specifically, the HTF helps to:

Increase industry awareness and understanding of EPA research and technologies
Expedite the private sector's ability to identify licensing potential in EPA's research
Facilitate technology transfer and commercialization communications between industry and EPA
Identify industries and universities to partner with EPA