Federal Laboratory Consortium
Rick Shindell Zyn Systems
Outline Overview • Federal Laboratory Technology Transfer • Federal Laboratory Consortium How labs do business • Examples of deals Other examples of programs Tools to find federal laboratory resources
Federal Laboratory Technology Transfer
Federal Laboratory Technology Transfer  Technology transfer is how knowledge, facilities, or capabilities developed under federal research and development (R&D) funding are utilized to fulfill public and private needs  Who: Government and non-government entities  What is the goal: -enhance agency mission capabilities -increase return on R&D investment -support economic growth and development -enhance U.S. competitiveness
Getting to know US (Myth of the Monolith) Type: • Government Owned Government Operated (GOGO) • Government Owned Contractor Operated (GOCO) Missions: • Promote wellness • Energy independence • Economic competitiveness • National security • Support war fighter Authorization: Stevenson-Wydler, Bayh-Dole, Space Act, etc.
Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act (P.L. 96-480) First of many laws to define and promote technology transfer. • Required laboratories take an active role in technical cooperation • Set a percentage of laboratory budget specifically for technology transfer offices. Provided outside organizations with a means to access federal laboratory developments.
Bayh-Dole Act of 1980 (P.L. 96-517)
 Permitted universities, not-forprofits, and small businesses to obtain title to inventions developed with federal funds  Government-owned, government-operated (GOGO) labs allowed to grant exclusive patent licenses to commercial organizations
Federal Technology Transfer Act (P.L. 99-502) All federal laboratory scientists and engineers are required to consider technology transfer an individual responsibility. • Required technology transfer activities to be considered on employee performance evaluations. Enabled GOGO* labs to: • Enter into Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs) • Negotiate licensing agreements • Share license royalties with inventors *GOCO labs granted this authority through the National Competitiveness Technology Transfer Act (P.L. 101-189)
Federal Laboratory Consortium By the Numbers:
Composed of: • Technology Transfer Professionals from the federal laboratories • Respective Agencies • Affiliated organizations The only government-wide forum for technology transfer.
• 17 National laboratories • 18 Federal agencies • ~250 Federal laboratories and centers • 100,000 scientists and engineers • Billions of dollars of research and development funding
What is the mission of the FLC? Education and Training Sharing Best Practices/Networking National and Regional Meetings & Conferences Professional Recognition Communications and Coordination “To add value to the federal agencies, laboratories, and their partners to accomplish the rapid integration of research and development resources within the mainstream of the U.S. economy.”
Doing Business with the Labs
Technology Transfer Mechanisms
Patent License Agreement Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) Work for Others – Work for Private Parties Collegial exchange Educational Partnership Agreement Use of Facilities Agreement Cooperative Agreement Commercial Test Agreement Material Transfer Agreement Partnership Intermediary Agreement Commercial Service Agreement Personnel Exchange Grants
Patent Licensing (a.k.a. “Deals”) How it works: • Businesses, entrepreneurs, and others locate licensable technologies via lab websites, referrals, etc. • Contact laboratories for more information; NDA; negotiate terms • Programs at each lab are similar, but are not exactly alike How it’s helped: • Thousands of technologies are licensed to companies each year, providing a basis for U.S. competitiveness and creating new jobs
Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA or CRDA) Allows federal and nonfederal parties to enter into agreements to conduct research and development Allows federal labs to commit resources such as personnel, facilities or equipment, but not funds to nonfederal parties Nonfederal parties can commit funds and other resources
Work for Others (WFO) Mechanism through which industry can utilize the unique expertise and facilities at a federal laboratory The industrial sponsor pays 100% of the cost of the work to be performed. Under certain conditions, a company may take title to the inventions created by the federal laboratory under the WFO. Key Clauses: • Product and IP Indemnification • Advance Payment • Federal lab cannot compete with the private sector
By the Numbers  FY2008 Activity reported to the Department of Commerce, Issued March 2010 FY 2004
FY 2005
FY 2006
FY 2007
FY 2008
CRADAs, total active in FY
6,015
5,947
7,268
7,326
6,923
New inventions disclosed in FY
5,454
4,771
5,193
4,486
4,365
Patent applications filed in FY
1,768
1,745
1,912
1,825
1,938
Patents issued in FY
1,391
1,012
1,284
1,405
1,272
Licenses, total active in FY
7,567
9,577
10,186
10,352
11,098
New, executed in FY
1,535
1,824
1,495
1,463
1,377
$99.5
$144.9
$138.7
$149.9
$170.9
Income from licenses, ($$M)
A Few Highlights
Millimeter Wave Holographic Scanning Technology Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Exclusive Field of Use License • L-3 SafeView IP originally licensed to venture-backed start-up; acquired by L-3 Communications in 2006 Terms included equity, milestone payments and royalties Development primarily funded by FAA and Battelle
Rehabilitation Support Device NASA: Goddard Space Flight Center
The Secure Ambulation Mode (S.A.M.) is a physical therapy devise to assist in rehabilitation for patients with spinal cord or traumatic brain injuries. NASA’s compliant joint allows movement in six directions with varying degrees of stiffness. Both patents were licensed from NASA by Enduro Medical Technology. Enduro donated several early devices to Walter Reed Medical Center in DC.
Laser Peening Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory  Metal Improvement Company licensed the laser peening technology. • A high energy laser is fired at the surface of a metal part and generates pressure pulses to form a layer of compressive stress. • Increased component life and reduced maintenance costs
Portable Bioassay Technology DOD Navy: Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center
Qwiklite is a field-deployable bioluminescent bioassay system for measuring water toxicity – based on plankton’s bioluminescence characteristics being affected measurably by exposure to toxins. Invented by the Navy, the technology was licensed to Assure Controls, Inc., with commercialization support from the Center for Commercialization of Advanced Technology, two cooperative research and development agreements. Less costly and faster than traditional assays.
Other Mechanisms
Technology Assistance
How it works: • Business requests assistance • Provides several days of technology assistance at no charge (a business is eligible once per fiscal year) • Cannot compete with private sector offerings
How it helps: • Provides support that is otherwise unattainable for most small businesses
Research Parks & Commercialization Centers How it works: • Reduce commercialization risk (helps established and startup companies retain and create jobs) • Provides access to Lab technical expertise and know how • Nurtures entrepreneurial environment • Networking, Education, Market Intelligence, Coaching, Linking Community Contacts
How it helps:
Provides basic infrastructure to startup and creates jobs!
Entrepreneurial Support & Access to Capital Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programs TVC (Technology Venture Corporation) University Technology Entrepreneurship Programs Forums • Energy Growth Forum at NREL
How it helps: • Creates entrepreneurial capacity and stimulates new businesses (jobs!)
How do I make a connection? FLC (e.g., Technology Locator Service) http://www.federallabs.org/locator/
Agency (e.g., T2 Office; Partnership Intermediaries) Laboratory/Institute (Lab T2 Office) Individual (Scientists & Engineers)
FLC Website – www.federallabs.org
FLC Website – Technology Locator
FLC Laboratory Search
Available Laboratory Technologies
FLC Newslink Publication
FLC Partnerships
Questions or Comments?
Thank you! Rick Shindell Zyn Systems 360-681-4123 rick@zyn.com