The Commercial Test Agreement (CTA) can offer access to the Air Force’s large number of unique resources, such as its “best and brightest” scientists and engineers, and unique, world-class Air Force laboratories and test facilities. Fees may not exceed the amount to recoup direct and indirect costs, data stays with AFRL.

For CTA inquiries, please contact:

• Melissa Ortiz, Tech Transfer & Transition Manager

  melissa.ortiz.1.ctr@us.af.mil | 📞 505-288-0475

Or reach out to Sara Telano, RDOX Branch Chief, at sara.telano@us.af.mil | afrl.rdox.orgbox@us.af.mil| 📞 505-853-7080

A partnership agreement between a government agency or federal lab and a non-federal partner for collaborative projects, supporting technology transfer. Federal labs provide resources like equipment, expertise, and facilities, while non-federal partners contribute personnel, funds, and services. The government does not fund the non-federal partners, but both work together on research and development aligned with the lab's mission.

For CRADA inquiries, please contact:

• Melissa Ortiz, Tech Transfer & Transition Manager

  melissa.ortiz.1.ctr@us.af.mil | 📞 505-288-0475

Or reach out to Sara Telano, RDOX Branch Chief, at sara.telano@us.af.mil | afrl.rdox.orgbox@us.af.mil | 📞 505-853-7080

The Education Partnership Agreement (EPA), authorized under 10 U.S. Code § 2194, is a formal agreement between a defense laboratory and an educational institution for the purpose of encouraging and enhancing study in scientific disciplines at all levels of education.

Who’s Eligible? Local educational agencies, colleges, universities, and any other nonprofit institutions that are dedicated to improving science, mathematics, business, law, technology transfer or transition and engineering education.

Types of EPAs We Offer:

1. Strategic EPAs

2. Standard EPAs (Access to Classified, Proprietary Information, or Military-Critical Technology Option Available at the Discretion of the DAF)

3. K-12 STEM EPAs

4. EPAs for Loans and/or Donations

Primary Goal: To collaborate with universities on basic research projects (DD 254 Option Available for Access to Classified, Proprietary Information, or Military-Critical Technology)

Key Activities:

• Loaning defense laboratory equipment to the institution for any purpose and duration in support of such agreement that the director considers appropriate;

• Transfer of surplus property (donating), transferring to the institution any computer equipment, or other scientific equipment, that is—

  • Commonly used by educational institutions;

  • Surplus to the needs of the defense laboratory; and

  • Determined by the director to be in support of such an agreement

• Making laboratory personnel available to teach science courses or to assist in the development of science courses and materials for the institution;

• Providing in the defense laboratory sabbatical opportunities for faculty and internship opportunities for students;

• Involving faculty and students of the institution in defense laboratory projects, including research and technology transfer or transition projects;

• Cooperating with the institution in developing a program under which students may be given academic credit for work on defense laboratory projects, including research and technology transfer or transition projects;

• Providing academic and career advice and assistance to students of the institution; andentering into new and separate contracts or;

• Cooperative agreements with, or making grants to, the institution to provide financial assistance for activities conducted under such partnership agreement.

• Definitions:

1. The term “defense laboratory” means any laboratory, product center, test center, depot, training and educational organization, or operational command under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense.

2. The term “local educational agency” has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

3. The term “United States” includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and any other territory or possession of the United States.

For EPA inquiries, please contact:

• Shannon Carr, Program Manager

  shannon.carr.3.ctr@us.af.mil | 📞 505-321-3542

Or reach out to Sara Telano, RDOX Branch Chief, at sara.telano@us.af.mil | afrl.rdox.orgbox@us.af.mil
📞 505-853-7080

ITAs allow the Air Force to share government developed software. Software executable files, source codes, or both may be shared under the agreement with industry or academic partner.

For ITA inquiries, please contact:

• Melissa Ortiz, Tech Transfer & Transition Manager

  melissa.ortiz.1.ctr@us.af.mil | 📞 505-288-0475

Or reach out to Sara Telano, RDOX Branch Chief, at sara.telano@us.af.mil | afrl.rdox.orgbox@us.af.mil | 📞 505-853-7080

JOAs are negotiated as an Exclusive or Non-Exclusive agreement if IP is co-owned by another party (such as a University or other federal agency).

For JOA inquiries, please contact:

• Melissa Ortiz, Tech Transfer & Transition Manager

  melissa.ortiz.1.ctr@us.af.mil | 📞 505-288-0475

Or reach out to Sara Telano, RDOX Branch Chief, at sara.telano@us.af.mil | afrl.rdox.orgbox@us.af.mil | 📞 505-853-7080

A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a legal contract between two or more parties that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties wish to share with one another for certain purposes, but restrict access to or by third parties. NDAs are commonly used to protect sensitive information, trade secrets, or proprietary business information.

For NDA inquiries, please contact:

• Melissa Ortiz, Tech Transfer & Transition Manager

  melissa.ortiz.1.ctr@us.af.mil | 📞 505-288-0475

Or reach out to Sara Telano, RDOX Branch Chief, at sara.telano@us.af.mil | afrl.rdox.orgbox@us.af.mil | 📞 505-853-7080

A legal contract that allows the patent owner (licensor) to grant rights to another party (licensee) to use, manufacture, sell, or distribute the patented invention. These agreements are essential for fostering innovation, collaboration, and commercialization of new technologies.

For PLA inquiries, please contact:

• Melissa Ortiz, Tech Transfer & Transition Manager

  melissa.ortiz.1.ctr@us.af.mil | 📞 505-288-0475

Or reach out to Sara Telano, RDOX Branch Chief, at sara.telano@us.af.mil | afrl.rdox.orgbox@us.af.mil | 📞 505-853-7080

Allows material to be provided by one party to the other for experimental testing and analysis, and no additional collaboration occurs.

For MTA inquiries, please contact:

• Melissa Ortiz, Tech Transfer & Transition Manager

  melissa.ortiz.1.ctr@us.af.mil | 📞 505-288-0475

Or reach out to Sara Telano, RDOX Branch Chief, at sara.telano@us.af.mil | afrl.rdox.orgbox@us.af.mil | 📞 505-853-7080