Technology Transfer: Implementation of CRADAs at NIST, Army, and DOE
Highlights
GAO discussed the Department of Energy's (DOE) implementation of cooperative research and development agreements (CRADA). GAO noted that: (1) legislation that established technology transfer objectives gave federal agencies discretion and flexibility when implementing CRADA; (2) Army and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) officials have implemented CRADA with only limited headquarters oversight and few financial and administrative requirements; (3) DOE has developed a tightly-controlled centralized CRADA implementation process that reduces its ability to realize the full potential of its government-owned, contractor operated (GOCO) laboratories; (4) the DOE CRADA implementation policy is linked to its desire to closely oversee contractors that manage its laboratories and its traditional concern for security; (5) although some legal and cultural differences exist between DOE, NIST, and Army laboratories, the scope and range of CRADA research and development activities are similar; and (6) opportunities exist to speed up the DOE CRADA approval process and allow more CRADA at GOCO laboratories.