NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Goddard Space Flight CenterGoddard Space Flight Center

Partnering Process

Partnership Agreement Process and Guidelines

The NASA Goddard Strategic Partnerships Office (SPO) manages the licensing and partnering of NASA Goddard intellectual property (IP) portfolio. The SPO works with industry, academia, and other government agencies to identify partnership opportunities and to construct partnership agreements to help advance new technology designs and products of mutual interest. Such partnership agreements can be done via some of the following legal instruments:

COOPERATIVE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (CRADA)

PURPOSE: Leveraging of research effort that allows jointly owned IP
COMPETED: No
REQUIREMENT: Specific research and development objectives and goals
NASA FUNDING: No

PATENT/COPYRIGHT LICENSE

PURPOSE: Transfer specific rights of NASA IP for specific   commercial use
COMPETED: No
REQUIREMENT: Royalty Based
NASA FUNDING: No

SPACE ACT AGREEMENT (SAA)

PURPOSE: Collaborations with the public and private sector
COMPETED: in some circumstances
REQUIREMENT: Subject to U.S. statutory code(s) and NASA requirements
NASA FUNDING: Seldom

SOFTWARE USAGE AGREEMENT

PURPOSE: Access to NASA developed software
COMPETED: No
REQUIREMENTS: – Export Control Compliance
– Categories of release for government and R&D uses
NASA FUNDING: No

How to Apply for a Partnership Agreement

The partnership application process takes place in two stages to minimize the information required and expedite the negotiation process. The SPO will incorporate all final agreement information into a formal partnership agreement for signature by both parties.

All information should be submitted to:

Strategic Partnerships Office
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Code 102
Greenbelt, MD 20771
(301) 286-5810
Email: TechTransfer@gsfc.nasa.gov

  1. Submit all information outlined in the Partnership Application, including the information below to the email address above:
  • Title of project
  • Name of researcher(s), NASA projects, and/or lab facilities desired in partnership
  • Name and address of the person, company, or organization
  • Where applicable, give citizenship, place of incorporation, and the name of the parent corporation
  • Description of the nature and type of applicant’s business.
  • If applicable, statement as to whether the applicant is a small business, as defined in 37 CFR §404.3(c).*
  • Description of why NASA is an essential component of the partnership (e.g., unique facilities or capabilities, infusion into NASA program, know-how for NASA-based technology)
  • Description of benefit provided to NASA as a result of the collaboration
  • Statement of work with milestones and resource requirements (including reimbursement offer if applicable)
  1. Once the Partnership Application is reviewed and considered to match NASA interests, SPO will determine the appropriate agreement vehicle (SAA, CRADA, or Cooperative Agreement). Additional information may be requested, such as a Development/Marketing Plan, documentation of cost-sharing valuation, or a more detailed work plan.

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