Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)

Summary

This document outlines the framework for technology transfer and collaborative partnerships at the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD). It details the processes, guidelines, and benefits associated with Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) and Patent License Agreements (PLAs) between government laboratories and commercial or non-Navy entities.

Overview and Strategic Objectives

A key objective of the NAWCWD Strategic Plan is to establish and leverage partnerships and alliances to meet customer needs. Partnering organizations include Naval Systems Commands, joint services, Department of Defense and other federal agencies, Combatant Commanders, foreign military relationships, industry, and academic institutions.

In support of this strategic objective, this Command has established the NAWCWD Technology Transfer Office to actively promote partnerships and agreements between NAWCWD and external customers in support of the Warfighter. Partnerships and agreements are pursued in accordance with Federal Technology Transfer legislation and policies.

Acquiring Technology from NAWCWD

Navy technology transfer is the business of transferring technology originally developed by the Navy to other government organizations, government laboratories, government contractors or commercial enterprises. Emphasis is usually placed on the transfer of Navy developed technology to commercial enterprises to strengthen the U.S. industrial base. Another aspect of technology transfer is the transfer and acceptance of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology for government use to reduce the cost of items purchased by the federal government. A final aspect of technology transfer is the development of dual-use technology that is planned and specifically developed for dual-use application by the government and the commercial market.

Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)

CRADAs are legal agreements between a government research and development laboratory and a non-Navy partner to cooperatively conduct research and development in a given technical area and share in the technical results derived from the joint effort. It can save both industry and the government laboratory costs and valuable time to achieve mutually desirable results.

CRADAs frequently revolve around existing intellectual property which is used directly or expanded upon as a result of the CRADA. There is a process that must be used to determine legal rights for the intellectual property before the issuance of the CRADA and for the intellectual property developed as a result of the CRADA.

A commercial partner can provide facilities, equipment, personnel and funding to the CRADA. The government partner can provide the same things except for funding. The government can provide no funding under a CRADA or it would be considered a contract and then come under control of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

Patent License Agreement (PLA)

Patent License Agreements (PLAs) allow commercial companies to exploit patented government-developed technology. The government retains the rights to use the technology for government purposes. Royalty rights, legal rights, and other terms and conditions on the use of the technology are negotiated by the company and the government laboratory. Any royalties paid to the government are retained by the laboratory and, except for a small percentage that goes to the inventor(s), are used for activities that will generate more technology transfer opportunities. The licensee gains the technical knowledge and financial benefits of the government intellectual property.

Licensees must provide an application for license to practice invention. The application will require a plan for commercializing the technology that includes technical goals for developing the product, an investment plan, and a time frame for bringing the product to the marketplace. PLAs can be exclusive, partially exclusive or nonexclusive. Licensees may work with employees of Navy laboratories to further develop or test the technology through a CRADA.

Helpful Links and Contact Information

Helpful Links California Innovation Hub for Defense, Energy, and Aerospace

NAWCWD Technology Transfer Office: 760-939-2105