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USTRANSCOM utilizes T2 authority to form research partnerships on specific topics with academia and industry. These partnerships are commonly in the form of Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs). CRADAs help USTRANSCOM understand the utility and risks of applying new technologies and techniques to our DOD supply chain and transportation management functions
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Point of Contact
To initiate a Technology Transfer discussion with USTRANSCOM, contact:
Mr. Mark Surina, MITRE Corporation
Manager, USTRANSCOM Office of Research and Technology Applications
TCCS-ORTA
508 Scott Drive
Scott AFB, IL 62225-5357
USTCCS-ORTA@ustranscom.mil
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What is an ORTA and What is Its Role? The Manager of the USTRANSCOM ORTA manages all T2 activities across USTRANSCOM. T2 authority provides USTRANSCOM with the capability to enter into technology exploration partnerships with non-federal entities. The ORTA works as the principal staff arm of the USTRANSCOM Laboratory Director, a responsibility of the USTRANSCOM Deputy Commander.
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What is the Nature of USTRANSCOM T2 Activities? The principal mechanism of T2-based collaboration in USTRANSCOM is the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) which is governed by Title 15 United States Code, Section 3710a.
T2 agreements, including CRADAs, are voluntary for both the federal and non-federal entity (the latter is known as the �collaborator�). While the government may seek one or more CRADA collaborators, or alternately, a collaborator may initiate the dialogue with the government seeking a CRADA, neither party is compelled to enter into or remain in a T2 agreement.
CRADAs in USTRANSCOM are utilized to explore and mature technology originating with the collaborator to allow the government to better understand the feasibility and risks of these capabilities for the future. CRADAs are not substitutes or precursors for acquisition or procurement activities. Instead, CRADAs are methods of experimentation, influenced by or actually conducted in the DOD environment, to better understand future operating concepts and their enabling technologies and to better understand the implications and risks of emerging technologies and techniques.
CRADAs are not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulations and cannot result in payment of Federal funds to the collaborator. The collaborator must find adequate motivation and return on investment from the teamed effort which is enabled under a CRADA; the government typically provides access to information systems, data, physical infrastructure, test agencies, and subject matter expertise, as documented in the terms of the CRADA�s Joint Work Plan, as its contribution to the partnership. The collaborator gains from exposure and exercise of proprietary material and concepts in the demanding DOD environment, which encourages maturation of the technology or technique.
CRADAs are typically year-long or less in duration, with well-defined and limited research objectives. Constraining CRADAs in this manner assists both the collaborator and the government to plan for and commit the right resources to the mutual development work. If a CRADA is mutually desired, the government and the collaborator appoint corresponding �Principal Investigators� to lead the experimental efforts.
A typical outcome of a CRADA is a report on the results of the experimentation, a prototypical application of the technology, and enhanced government ability to articulate the boundaries of its future capabilities.
CRADAs provide protection of intellectual property (IP) to the collaborator and government. CRADA information is protected from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for up to five years.
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How do We Begin T2 Activities? The Manager of the Office of Research and Technology Applications, listed above, is the point of contact for external parties for initiation of T2 discussions. The ORTA will work with the potential external collaborator who initiates the dialogue and the pertinent functional USTRANSCOM staff to determine mutual interest in establishing a T2 agreement. The ORTA works closely with the command�s intellectual property attorney to properly articulate the agreement and during the actual conduct of the agreement to answer the questions of all parties on legal details and issues.
Sometimes USTRANSCOM will seek multiple CRADA partners (or independent external parties may request) to independently work under CRADAs on similar technologies. This independent work on a common topic, and resulting proprietary materials or concepts, further expands the government�s understanding of the feasibility and risks of new technologies based on independent innovative approaches, while each collaborator�s intellectual property is segregated and protected from potential competitors in future acquisition activities, if they take place.
USTRANSCOM�s Laboratory Director for Technology Transfer and signatory for T2 agreements is the Deputy Commander. The ORTA, working with the intended Principal Investigator, coordinates the draft agreement through the USTRANSCOM staff as necessary before signature. This staffing process ensures that the intended experimentation and partnership does not adversely impact any ongoing or planned competitive acquisition efforts.
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References
USTRANSCOM Instruction 61-2, Technology Transfer and Cooperative Research and Development Agreements.
USTRANSCOM Model CRADA
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