Skip to main content

Technology Transfer: Implementation of CRADAs at NIST, Army, and DOE

T-RCED-93-53 Published: Jun 10, 1993. Publicly Released: Jun 10, 1993.
Jump To:
Skip to Highlights

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.

Full Report

Office of Public Affairs

Topics

Contract oversightCooperative agreementsFederal legislationGOCOLaboratoriesPrivate sectorResearch and developmentResearch program managementTechnology transferMilitary forces