NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 7500.2A Effective Date: June 16, 2022 Expiration Date: June 16, 2027

Subject: NASA Technology Transfer Requirements

Responsible Office: Space Technology Mission Directorate

Appendix D: Partnership Mechanisms

D.1 Given the criteria above, technology transfer partnerships can be implemented by NASA via a broad set of mechanisms as follows:

Space Act Agreements (SAAs): This includes non-reimbursable, reimbursable, and funded Space Act Agreements, where there is a technology development or technology transfer component to the work. All SAAs will be implemented in accordance with NPD 1050.7.

Inter-Agency Agreements: Inter-Agency Agreements (IAAs) are reimbursable or non-reimbursable agreements in which the Partner is another Federal Agency or Department. All IAAs will be implemented in accordance with NPD 1050.7.

Software Usage Agreements: Software Usage Agreements (SUAs) provide a mechanism for NASA to authorize the release and use of software created by or for NASA. External release of NASA software will be in accordance with NPR 2210.1.

Patent Licenses and Software Copyright Licenses: These agreements allow NASA to transfer technology where there is intellectual property protection in place. See Chapter 7, "Patent and Copyright Licensing" of this NPR.

Research Licenses and Material Test & Evaluation Agreements: These agreements provide the opportunity for potential licensees to evaluate NASA technologies to determine if they have further interest in commercialization. See Chapter 7, "Patent and Copyright Licensing" of this NPR.

Non-Disclosure Agreements: Nondisclosure Agreements (NDAs) provide the mechanism to share enabling technical details of technology with potential licensees without that disclosure having an impact on the patentability of the technology.

SBIR/STTR Program: The NASA Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs have technology commercialization as a primary goal of both programs and provide significant opportunity for commercialization of NASA-funded technology.

Memoranda of Agreement or Understanding: Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is a form of non-reimbursable SAA, and either title may be used at the request of a U.S. State or Federal Government entity.

Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs): A CRADA is a mechanism whereby non-federal entities (industry, universities, nonprofits, etc.) can collaborate with federal laboratories on research and development projects. CRADAs are advantageous when technology transfer is a primary goal of the agreements; technologies developed under CRADAs are expected to be transferred to the private sector for commercial exploitation, either by the non-federal partner or another licensee of such technologies. Use of CRADAs is according to 15 U.S.C. § 3710. NASA has statutory authority to enter into CRADAs, but generally does not use this authority when NASA's and the Partner's technology transfer objectives can be met through an SAA.

Cooperative Agreements: Cooperative Agreements between NASA and NASA Partners support research and development and provide technology transfer from the Government to the recipient. Projects that normally result in cooperative agreements are projects that are not intended to provide direct benefit to NASA, are expected to benefit the general public, require substantial cost sharing and have commercial applications and profit generating potential. Cooperative agreements are awarded in accordance with the procedures in the Grant and Cooperative Agreement Manual, accessible at: https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_gcam_-_revised_nov_12_2020.pdf

Cost-Sharing Contracts: Cost-sharing contracts are a mechanism that allows for sharing costs associated with accomplishing the objectives when a direct benefit to NASA is expected.

No-Cost Transfer Agreements: These agreements provide a documented mechanism for providing data, information, and research to non-NASA entities for potential commercial use when no intellectual property is involved.

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