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NASA Technology Partners
How to Partner with NASA
One of NASA's missions is to commercialize the technologies NASA researchers have created for space exploration. Technology transfer
can occur in a number of ways depending on the needs and expectations of the parties involved. NASA offers several partnering options
to accommodate the variety of circumstances presented by industry. While each mechanism has unique terms and conditions, all are
designed to help U.S. industry get the most benefit from NASA's cutting-edge technologies.
NASA Space Act Agreement (Reimbursable) This is an agreement for the reimbursable use of NASA facilities, personnel, expertise or equipment by a public or private entity wishing to advance research and development efforts. The effort involves a transfer of funds or other financial obligation from the private entity to NASA. (NASA will not transfer funds to the other entity.) The terms, conditions, and schedule are negotiable, but NASA must be paid in advance for each stage of the effort. (NASA may not compete with commercially available facilities or services.) Rights to inventions can be negotiated similar to a nonreimbursable Space Act Agreement. Proprietary data developed by the private sector partner and NASA will remain proprietary to the industry partner and is exempt from release under FOIA. NASA Headquarters Offices are authorized to execute reimbursable agreements with no dollar limit on the reimbursable costsNASA may incur. Field Centers are generally authorized by a Headquarters' Associate Administrator to enter into agreements involving up to $10 million in reimbursable costs. No goods or services are provided to NASA. Instead, NASA provides data, facilities and services to the paying party.
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