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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 Cooperative Agreement This is a collaborative effort between NASA and an private sector partner(s) to stimulate and support innovative new technologies and products for commercialization via technology research, development, and/or deployment. Examples include a NASA-Industry cooperative agreement to jointly fund, research and develop a high-risk technology for potential dual-use applications. Cash or in-kind contribution by the private sector partner will be required with a general target of at least 30 percent. Cost sharing, payment schedules and other financial arrangements are open to negotiation and can be structured in any matter agreeable to both parties within the confines of the law. Generally, IR&D funds are not allowable as part of cost sharing. Rights to inventions are controlled by statute. Generally, titles to invention remain with the respective inventing parties with the government obtaining a license to all subject inventions arising under the agreement. Rights in data are negotiable. Generally, the private sector partner's "proprietary" data is exempted from release under FOIA. NASA developed "proprietary" data may be protected under certain circumstances. Substantial involvement between NASA and the other party is required, with NASA playing a significant role in the R&D effort. The specific activities to be performed are not described in detail and reporting requirements can be minimal but the nature of the collaboration and the specific goal of the project must be clearly defined in advance. NASA's Office of Procurement administers all cooperative agreements. Cooperative Agreements may not be used for procuring goods or services. Allowable deliverables may include technical and status reports, data, etc.
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