Skip to main content

Diffusing Innovations: Implementing the Technology Transfer Act of 1986

T-PEMD-91-5 Published: May 30, 1991. Publicly Released: May 30, 1991.
Jump To:
Skip to Highlights

Highlights

GAO discussed the implementation of the Technology Transfer Act of 1986 and a related executive order, focusing on the: (1) receipt of implementation guidance; (2) establishment and staffing of Offices of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA); (3) delegation of authority to laboratories to enter into cooperative research and development agreements (CRDA); and (4) establishment of personnel incentives to engage in technology transfer activities. GAO noted that: (1) laboratories in 7 of the 10 departments met at least 50 percent of the measures for full implementation; (2) wide variations existed among departments regarding completeness of parent department guidance; (3) only about 40 percent of the large laboratories had fully staffed ORTA located on their premises; (4) only 44 percent of the laboratories had been granted the authority to enter CRDA; (5) most departments failed to establish award programs for technology transfer activities, but established royalty sharing and personnel exchange programs; and (6) the level of implementation of the legislation was uneven across the departments and varied by legislative or executive order provision.

Full Report

Office of Public Affairs

Topics

Cooperative agreementsEmployee incentivesExchange of persons programsFederal facilitiesFederal legislationLaboratoriesResearch and developmentResearch program managementRoyalty paymentsTechnology transfer