Policy Issues for Department of Defense Technology Transfer

This report presents technology transfer issues and potential policy actions that the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) could consider to enhance existing technology transfer mechanisms or to create new ones. Using themes identified in a review of academic literature, government reports, and legal documents on technology transfer, the study team interviewed DoD laboratory staff, Offices of Research and Technology Applications (ORTAs), DoD legal staff, and other stakeholders. From the data collected from these interviews, the research team selected 15 policy issues and organized them into the following categories: ensuring effective ORTA organization and staffing; empowering, training, and rewarding scientists and engineers; capturing and managing intellectual property; using technology transfer mechanisms to full potential; managing and monitoring technology transfer processes; and building partnerships. Adoption of appropriate policy actions would require implementing or clarifying DoD guidance or instructions, potentially leading to improvements in technology transfer practices. Actions that would require new legislation have the potential to provide new or improved technology transfer tools.