May 5, 2016
CRANE, Ind. – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) and the Ohio Aerospace Institute (OAI) announced a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) on Thursday, May 5 during an event held at Crane. The event included representatives from both Crane and OAI, including NSWC Crane Commanding Officer CAPT Jeffrey Elder and OAI Senior Program Manager Howard Thompson. The purpose of this PIA is to promote cooperative activities between NSWC Crane, the State of Ohio, OAI members, small business firms and educational institutions served by OAI.
During the signing, CAPT Elder stressed the importance of the agreement. “Both OAI and Crane are committed to research and discovery of advanced technology initiatives. This agreement will not only allow for such research and discovery, but it will also bring together federal lab resources with industry leaders, academia and innovative end users and customers in an open and collaborative environment.”
NSWC Crane Office of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) and Technology Transfer (T2) Program Manager Brooke Pyne was also in attendance during the signing. She explained, “Partnering with regional entities, like OAI, deepens our knowledge in critical technology areas and increases the success level of our national T2 program which provides collaborative opportunities between industry, academia and the federal lab."
Thompson, who is also the OAI designated representative responsible for coordination of activities under the PIA, provided additional details on the OAI’s mission. “The services provided by OAI are intended to bring together federal lab resources with industry leaders, academia and innovative end users and customers in an open and collaborative environment,” he said. “OAI’s mission is to enhance our partners’ aerospace competitiveness through research and technology development, workforce preparedness and engagement with global networks for innovation and advocacy.”
During Thursday’s event, Thompson also toured NSWC Crane with the intent of gaining a better understanding of its technical capabilities and how to align regional industry and academia to mission areas.
A PIA allows a partnership intermediary to perform services for NSWC Crane that increase the likelihood of success in the conduct of cooperative or joint activities with small business firms, institutions, higher education or educational institutions.
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane (NSWC Crane) is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with focus areas in Special Missions, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. NSWC Crane’s Special Missions focus area is the center of excellence for special warfare weapons and weaponry, providing full-spectrum life-cycle engineering and testing support functions for reliable and effective weapons, munitions and electronic systems for special operations and expeditionary forces.