Background

Why technology transfer?

There has been an increasing need for the Phillips Laboratory to transfer technology to small business firms over the past several years. During this same period the State of New Mexico and the Phillips Laboratory, which was recently incorporated into the new Air Force Research Laboratory as the Phillips Research Site (AFRL-Phillips Research Site), have established a relationship which successfully supports the cooperative and joint activities of the laboratory to transfer technology to small businesses and those public and private organizations that enhance small business development. The State Laws of New Mexico, Chapter 216, designate the New Mexico Economic Development Department (NMEDD) as the lead agency for technology transfer conversion for all public and private sector organizations within the state.

Why New Mexico Tech?

The New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (TECH) as a "political subdivision/Education Institution of the State" as defined in the New Mexico State Constitution, entered into a Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) with the State of New Mexico NMEDD in accordance with the Joint Powers Act: 11-1-1 to 11-1-7, NMSA 1978. The JPA between TECH and the State of New Mexico allows TECH the flexibility to act as a regional technology transfer facilitator for technology transfer to small businesses. TECH brings together technology transfer networking opportunities, experiences, and over 125 man-years of technology development and utilization experience with emphasis in small business development, seed capital, and general business development financing. Congress specifically authorized entering into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with "Partnership Intermediaries" for the provision of services which increase the likelihood of success in the conduct of cooperative or joint activities between federal laboratories and small businesses. TECH acts as the Partnership Intermediary with the financial and human resources of the NMEDD being transferred to TECH to support this MOU.

Objectives

Under the MOU, the following objectives were developed for the seven-year period of performance:

I. Identify technological assets and mechanisms available at Phillips Research Site for technology transfer to small business and those public and private organizations that foster small business development;

II. Develop and execute a marketing plan for the effective technology transfer of Phillips Research Site's technologies to small businesses and those public and private organizations that foster small business development; and

III. Develop and document successful technology transfer to small businesses and those public and private organizations involved in fostering small business development.