Diffusing Innovations: Implementing the Technology Transfer Act of 1986

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO surveyed the extent to which federal departments and laboratories implemented the provisions of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, focusing on the: (1) receipt of implementation guidance from headquarters; (2) establishment and staffing of the Offices of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA); (3) delegation of authority to laboratory directors to enter into cooperative research and development agreements (CRDA); (4) creation of royalty sharing programs; and (5) establishment of personnel exchange programs.