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Technology Transfer Office

The overall goal of NSWC Carderock Division’s Technology Transfer Office is to bridge the gap with commercial entities so that federally funded laboratory resources and research can be shared with non-federal organizations to support the development and commercialization of new technology. Teaming together in this way benefits more than just the individuals and organizations involved. The transfer of federally developed technology can have a positive effect on the greater scientific research community, the commercial sector, the economy, consumers and the public.

With this goal in mind, the technology transfer office has been provided by congress, through a series of legislature, the authority to make laboratory facilities, equipment, expertise and intellectual property available to academia, industry and local and state governments. There are many mechanisms through which to partner with Carderock, the primary two being the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) and Patent License Agreement (PLA).

The Technology Transfer Office is also proud to engage educational institutions of all levels through Educational Partnership Agreements (EPAs). EPAs allow Carderock to support and encourage local and national interest, education and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields.

There are many ways in which to engage in a successful partnership with Carderock. Sometimes several different technology transfer vehicles can be utilized to engage and fully transfer a technology. If you are interested in learning more about a partnership with Carderock, please email the Technology Transfer Office CRDIVCPAO.fct@navy.mil.

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)

The CRADA is a flexible agreement that is tailored to each partnership. It enables Carderock to work with non-federal organizations on research and development projects that are of mutual benefit and interest.  The CRADA can be supported by the exchange of personnel and/or data, sharing of expertise, access to equipment and facilities, testing, etc.

One example of how the Carderock Technology Transfer Office has tailored the CRADA to support our unique laboratory is the use of a Limited Purpose CRADA (LP-CRADA) for cooperation with the Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program  (Stiletto Maritime Demonstration Program - Facebook ). The Stiletto is an experimental craft owned by the Navy that is used to demonstrate industry, government and academia’s emerging capabilities and technologies. By partnering through an LP-CRADA, an organization has the ability to work with Carderock to install and prove their systems in a difficult military maritime environment. As a result of a technology demonstration on Stiletto, both organizations gain hands on exposure, experience, knowledge, feedback and data.

Patent License Agreement (PLA)

Due to the nature of the research and engineering work conducted at the laboratory, Carderock has a vibrant intellectual property portfolio with over 200 active patents. Licensing a government patent through a PLA allows a company the right to commercially produce and sell that technology.  Prospective licensees are required to provide a commercialization plan as part of the application process including technical goals for development, an investment plan, and a timeframe for bringing the product to market. The government retains the rights to use the technology for government purposes, but the royalty rights, legal rights and exclusivity of the agreement are negotiated on a case-by-case basis with each company.


The Maneuvering and Seakeeping basin (MASK) is used to evaluate marine technologies in a dynamic wave environment. Examples include scaled ship and submarine trials, wave energy harnessing device tests and oil platform evaluations.

Advanced helmet technology developed through a CRADA to protect against blast-induced traumatic brain injury.

The Stilletto Maritime Demonstration Program is an experimental craft used to demonstrate emerging capabilities and technologies developed by industry, academia and government.


A plastic waste processor developed at Carderock for use on board Navy vessels was designed to create compact and inert discs that could be safely stored in the ship for extended periods of time while at sea. A private company partnered with Carderock to license the technology and produce it for commercial applications.