Partnering mechanisms for Technology Transfer with ERDC include:
See the table below to find out which mechanisms your organization can use to partner with ERDC. Each mechanism is described briefly below the table.
| Entity |
Technology Transfer Mechanisms |
| |
CRADA |
TSA |
TAA |
PLA |
ICA |
EPA |
Reimb. Assist. |
Section
234 |
LOAs |
FMS |
| U.S. Private Industry |
x |
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Nonprofits |
x |
x |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. State, Local, Tribal Governments |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
|
| U.S. Academic Institutions |
x |
x |
|
x |
x |
x |
|
|
|
|
| U.S. DOD Agencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
x |
|
|
|
| U.S. Non-DOD Agencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
|
|
| Foreign Private Industry or Academia |
x |
x |
|
x |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Foreign Nonprofit or International Organizations |
x |
|
|
x |
|
|
|
x |
x |
|
| Foreign Government Agencies |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
x |
x |
CRADA (Cooperative Research and Development Agreement): authorized by the Technology Transfer Act of 1986 (15 USC 3710a), as amended. These agreements must involve one or more non-federal partners. Under CRADA, an ERDC laboratory and one or more partner(s) collaborate on a research project of mutual interest. The ERDC laboratory may contribute staff, facilities, equipment and supplies to the partner under the CRADA. The partner may contribute staff, facilities, equipment, supplies and money to the ERDC laboratory under the CRADA. Learn more.
TSA (Testing Services Agreement): authorized by 10 USC 2539b. DOD laboratories may make available to any person or entity (including universities), on a reimbursable basis, laboratory services for the testing of materials, equipment, models, or computer software and other items. Learn more.
TAA (Technical Assistance Agreement): authorized by 33 USC 2323. ERDC laboratories may provide technical assistance on a nonexclusive basis to assist U.S. firms that are competing for or have been awarded a contract for planning, designing or constructing a project outside the U.S. Learn more.
PLA (Patent Licensing Agreement): authorized by the Technology Transfer Act of 1986 (15 USC 3710a), as amended. These agreements license patents to a licensee for a range of situations from one-time use to mass production. The license may be nonexclusive, partially exclusive or exclusive. The royalty is negotiated on a case-by-case basis and takes many factors into account such as market size, exclusivity and additional technology development needed. The ERDC laboratory may provide technical assistance on a reimbursable basis if needed. Learn more.
ICA (Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement): authorized by the Intergovernmental Cooperation Act, 31 USC 6505. Federal laboratories may provide assistance to public institutions of higher learning and agencies of state and local government. The partner must request such support in writing and certify that the assistance is not reasonably or expeditiously available from a private sector source. Learn more.
EPA (Educational Partnership Agreement): authorized by 10 USC 2194. These agreements serve to establish the basis for cooperative interactions between the ERDC laboratory and an educational institution, primarily to promote and enhance science and engineering education. Eligible educational institutions are local education agencies (legally constituted authority for administrative control for public elementary or secondary schools), colleges, universities and any other nonprofit institutions that are dedicated to improving science, mathematics and engineering education. Learn more.
Reimbursable Assistance: the Economy in Government Act, 31 USC 1535 and the Chief's Economy Act, 10 USC 3036d authorize research, development and technical assistance to other federal agencies on a cost reimbursable basis. Within DOD, funds transfer can be accomplished using the Military Interdepartmental Purchase Request (MIPR). In some cases, the sponsoring agency may require that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) or Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) be signed before providing funds.
Section 234 Assistance: refers to Section 234 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996, which authorizes certain types of Corps assistance to other federal agencies and international organizations. The program is administered by CEMP-NR. Limited funds are available to cover the costs of the assistance.
LOA (Letter of Offer and Acceptance) Agreements: authorized by Section 607 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, ERDC may provide technical or research services on a reimbursable basis to friendly countries, international organizations, the American Red Cross and other voluntary nonprofit relief agencies registered and approved by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Work may not be initiated prior to receipt of funds sufficient to cover the cost of the estimate or at least an initial increment based upon an approved payment schedule that ensures funds are deposited prior to work being performed.
FMS (Foreign Military Sales): authorized by the Arms Export Control Act, 22 USC 2769. This authority may be used to provide defense design and construction services as well as defense articles and training. All work must be approved by HQUSACE. Work may not be initiated prior to receipt of funds sufficient to cover the cost of the estimate or at least an initial increment based upon an approved payment schedule that ensures funds are deposited prior to work being performed.