History of Technology Transfer

Technology transfer differs from providing services or products (e.g., acquisition) and financial assistance (e.g., grants), which take place under procurement regulations, and has been the aim of government policy since the passage of Bayh-Dole and Stevenson-Wydler legislation in 1980. In 1989, the National Competitiveness Technology Transfer Act established technology transfer activities as a mission of DOE national laboratories. The Federal Laboratory Consortium for Technology Transfer (FLC) was formally chartered by Congress to facilitate technology transfer in the United States. DOE provides a variety of mechanisms to respond to private-sector concerns and questions about its technology partnering activities.