Acclerating Federal Technology Transfer Program

Award Announcement

On March 28, 2024, NIST announced a 5-year award on behalf of the FLC Executive Board for the Accelerating Federal Technology Transfer (AFTT) Program. More information about the program is below.

NIST, on behalf of the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC) Executive Board, is soliciting applications for a cooperative agreement to accelerate federal technology transfer.  Under the Accelerating Federal Technology Transfer (AFTT) Program, members of the FLC's Executive Board, including NIST, will collaborate with academia and industry on the development of outreach and educational programs, tools, and best practices that will enhance the ability of the academic and private sectors to engage with Federal Laboratories in technology transfer and research commercialization. Specifically, the awardee will collaborate with the Federal Laboratory Consortium's Executive Board, including NIST, in the areas of technology transfer and research commercialization by: developing the necessary tools and services to promote the utilization of Federal intellectual property, user facilities, and other R&D resources by non-Federal partners; creating a suitable education and training infrastructure in technology transfer for the relevant stakeholders; and engaging the industry, academic, and state and local government communities to facilitate access to Federal R&D collaborations and Federal technology transfer opportunities on both a regional and a national level. Applications are due by May 28, 2024. View the funding announcement at the Grants Learning Center.

Q: Is there an incumbent of this program?  If so, can you please share who?
A: The AFTT Program is a follow-on competition from the initial, Enabling Federal Technology Transfer Program, competition held in 2019.  The incumbent Cooperative Agreement partner for the FLC is the nonprofit, AUTM.

Q: What is the amount of involvement expected in the planning/ execution of events mentioned on Page 5 of 31? (i.e. high-level tasks such as strategy and agenda or administrative tasks such as finding and securing venues, Print materials, etc.)
A: The awardee would collaborate with the FLC Executive Committee, the FLC Program Committee and/or FLC region, as necessary, for both high-level strategic planning as well as administrative tasks related to the execution of events.

Q: Who prepared the FLC Strategic Plan?  Should the FLC Strategic Plan that is posted online be considered a guideline for activities to be performed under the EFTT?
A: The FLC Strategic Plan was prepared by the FLC Executive Board.  The goals of the strategic plan align with the three goals of the AFTT NOFO.

Q: Please elaborate on the role of NIST as the “host agency” and the meaning of that status in terms of practical activities by NIST in support of FLC.
A: NIST’s role as the Host Agency is provided in statute.  In terms of activities by NIST in support of the FLC, NIST provides administrative services (15 U.S.C. 3710(e)(4)) such as funding agreement preparation and oversight, training new board members, processing invitational travel for board members, and MOUs with board member agencies; and financial services (15 U.S.C. 3710(e)(7)) related to the collection and disbursement of FLC funds. NIST also holds a permanent seat on the FLC Executive Board as the Host Agency Representative.

Q: Do you plan to continue using your existing infrastructure for the online resources mentioned on Page 6 of 31?  Or will the awardee be responsible for development of a new site?
A: We expect to use the existing online infrastructure and have planned for a transition period during the first 2-3 months of the award.

Q: Sections IV.2.a.(2) Research & Related Budget (see page 8) and IV.6. Funding Restrictions (see page 19) of the NOFO, indicates the fees line is not relevant to this competition and states that profit and fees are not an allowable cost.  Do these restrictions apply to for-profit organizations?
A:  Fees and profits may not be listed as separate line items on the budget, regardless of the type of organization applying.