National lab enters the marketplace

INEL meets industry reps

In late October the first Idaho National Engineering Laboratory Industry/Government Partnership Forum was held in San Diego, California. INEL was joined by the U.S. Department of Energy, Idaho Operations Office; Lockheed Martin Idaho Technologies; Programa Bolivar; Eastern Idaho Economic Development Council; and Coleman Research Corporation in offering this forum.

There was much talk of making deals and doing business at this first of what may be an annual event. The forum brought a national laboratory out of its bunker to offer technologies nationally by talking directly with representatives from business and industry. More than 170 participants represented about 90 organizations, including state and tribal agencies, Venezuela, Mexico, and Argentina. DOE told the audience it plans to emphasize customer communication and stop making things it can buy. They'll also shift to performance-based contracting.

Rich Rankin of the INEL Technology Transfer Office spelled out how to do business with INEL. Rankin cited CRADAs, technology licensing, technical assistance, user resources, and a work-for-others program as examples. In one year INEL signed 25 CRADAs with a total value of $43 million. Typically, licenses are created for patents and copyrighted material. These can be exclusive or non-exclusive and are subject to fairness and U.S. competitiveness provisions. Twenty fee-bearing licenses were signed the first year of this program.

INEL's technical assistance program works with state and local governments; requires contact with the local or state small business office; and cannot compete with services readily available in the private sector. INEL employees can provide up to 40 hours of free technical assistance. Sixty-eight technical assistance projects were completed the first year.

The user resources program provides more than 60 designated pilot plants, equipment, laboratories, and facilities. Work-for-others includes work performed by INEL for a non-DOE entity, including research and development or related services. Work must pertain to the laboratory's mission and not interfere with programmatic requirements nor can it compete with industry. For additional information about INEL's technology transfer program, call Rankin at (208) 526-3049, or use this electronic address .

On the industry side, Steve Ricketts, vice president of technology at the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences, explained the center's not-for-profit research group. The center's work is industry-driven and consists of a group of companies promoting green design methods and materials; addresses business, accounting, and regulatory issues; and has $120 million available for collaborative work. Corporate membership fees range from $2,000 to $50,000. Affiliate membership costs just $2,000. For additional information on NCMS, call Ron Evans at (313) 995-4904. The Internet address is .