Contracting Cone

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Contract Type Matrix

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement
15 U.S.C. § 3710a

A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, or CRADA, is an agreement between a federal laboratory and one or more non-federal parties to perform specified research or development efforts consistent with the laboratory’s mission. CRADAs may be used to support collaborative research, technology development, testing, evaluation, demonstration, and technology transfer. They can also support commercialization of federally developed technologies, including inventions or intellectual property originating in federal laboratories.

Under a CRADA, the federal laboratory may provide personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources, but it may not provide funds to the non-federal collaborating party. The non-federal party may provide funds, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources to support the joint effort.

CRADAs may be useful when a federal laboratory seeks an industry or academic partner to help develop, test, transition, commercialize, or stimulate a market for a technology. They may also be useful when a non-federal partner seeks access to unique Government laboratory expertise, facilities, equipment, data, or technical resources.

Common Applications

  • Research, development, testing, evaluation, demonstration, and technology advancement efforts
  • Technology transfer and commercialization of federally developed technologies
  • Collaborative development of technologies with both Government and commercial applications
  • Access to unique federal laboratory expertise, facilities, equipment, or intellectual property

 

Pros

Cons
Supports collaboration between federal laboratories and non-federal partners. Not a procurement contract and should not be used simply to acquire products or services for the Government.
Can help transfer federally funded R&D to the private sector. Technology transition to a program of record may still require a separate acquisition strategy.
Allows the Government to contribute technical expertise, facilities, equipment, IP, and other resources without providing funds to the partner. The Government cannot provide funds to the non-federal collaborating party under the CRADA authority.
Allows the partner to contribute funds, personnel, services, property, or other resources. IP, data rights, publication review, export control, and conflict-of-interest issues must be addressed carefully.
Can be faster and more flexible than some traditional contracting approaches for collaborative R&D. The effort must be consistent with the federal laboratory’s mission and statutory authority.

Restrictions

  • Limited to federal laboratories, including Government-operated federal laboratories and, as authorized, Government-owned, contractor-operated laboratories.
  • The CRADA effort must be consistent with the laboratory’s mission.
  • The Government may contribute personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources, but may not provide funds to the non-federal party.
  • The collaborating party may contribute funds, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, intellectual property, or other resources.
  • CRADAs are not procurement contracts and should not be used to bypass procurement requirements when the Government’s principal purpose is acquisition.
  • DoD users should ensure the CRADA does not duplicate research being conducted under existing programs and should follow applicable agency/laboratory approval procedures.

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