The T³ Agreement

The NMT/SWIA T3 staff provides essential support and facilitation for individuals navigating the AFRL technology transfer and transition process.

Types of Agreements

  • 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;

    • 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.

    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:

    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

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T³ Agreement Process

Submission of Letter of Intent: The Partner or AFRL TPOC submits a pre-process letter of intent to the T3 Office. The relevant Branch/Division reviews the letter and, in consultation with the AFRL TPOC, decides whether to proceed with the agreement.

Drafting the Agreement: The AFRL TPOC and Partner collaborate to prepare the first draft of the agreement. During this phase, considerations for additional elements (such as finance, safety, LMCA, security, and FDO) are addressed concurrently.

Review by T3 Office: The AFRL TPOC submits the draft agreement to the T3 Office for review, ensuring it complies with applicable laws and regulations.

Legal Review: The AFNWC/JA conducts a legal review. The T3 Office incorporates any legal feedback into the draft and coordinates revisions with the AFRL TPOC and Partner.

Finalization and Signature: The finalized agreement is signed by both the Partner and AFRL.

Agreement Management: The T3 Office manages the agreement file, maintaining records of deliverables, reports, intellectual property, and funds for auditing purposes.

Initial Contact & Planning Assistance

To initiate the agreement process, ask questions, or set up a meeting, please contact the T3 Office:

Melissa Ortiz, Tech Transfer and Transition Manager

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

  • Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs),

  • Information Transfer Agreements (ITAs)

  • Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)

  • Commercial Test Agreements (CTAs)

  • Joint Ownership Agreements (JOAs), and/or Patent License Agreements (PLAs)

Shannon Carr, Program Manager

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

  • Education Partnership Agreements (EPAs)

Sara Telano, AFRL/RDOX Branch Chief

sara.telano@us.af.mil | 📞 505-853-7080

For other questions you can send an email to afrl.rdox.orgbox@us.af.mil

During these meetings, the T3 staff will evaluate the proposed collaboration and recommend the most suitable mechanism for the partnership. As part of the initial consultation, the T3 staff will also provide the necessary templates and instructions to ensure a smooth and efficient process moving forward.

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