FAQ
- What does ORNL do?
- Does ORNL work with industry and other groups?
- How is doing business with ORNL different from doing business with the private sector?
- Who can assist me if the success of my partnership with ORNL is affected by unresolved misunderstanding, disagreement or a dispute of any kind?
- How does ORNL transfer technology?
- What is Technology Transfer?
- What is the difference between Privately Funded Technology Transfer and Government Funded Technology Transfer at ORNL?
- Who takes care of Privately Funded technology transfer at ORNL?
- Is this a new effort?
- Is there a form I need to submit to gain access to this technology?
- I am interested in pursuing a technology transfer project. What do I do?
- Are there any constraints on the kinds of projects?
- What does "benefit to DOE" mean?
- How much will it cost?
- Does ORNL have funding sources for my project?
- How long before work can begin?
- Why is the preparation time so long on some of the agreements?
- How do I protect my proprietary information when I work with ORNL?
- How do I apply for a license?
- How does ORNL decide who should get a license?
- How much will a license cost?
- How long does it take to negotiate a license?
- Can I get an exclusive license from ORNL?
- What other important requirements are in ORNL licenses?
- Do I have to manufacture in the U.S.?
- How can I take advantage of the resources the user facilities have to offer?
- How can I get on the list of companies eligible for technology transfer?
What does ORNL do?
ORNL is a multiprogram lab, primarily doing national defense R&D, energy, and environmental projects. The Lab's original mission of providing engineering design for all non-nuclear components in the nation's nuclear weapons continues today, but ORNL now also performs a wide variety of the national security R&D work. For more information, see History, Reports, and Facts about ORNL.
Does ORNL work with industry and other groups?
Yes, ORNL works cooperatively with selected private industries, academic institutions, state and federal organizations, and other laboratories on projects of mutual interest.
How is doing business with ORNL different from doing business with the private sector?
First, any agreement with industry must be approved by DOE. These partnering agreements carefully follow the government's imposed terms and conditions. Even if you are totally funding the project, you must use similar government agreements. Second, DOE requires you to supply a portion of your agreed-upon funding before ORNL can begin work.
Who can assist me if the success of my partnership with ORNL is affected by unresolved misunderstanding, disagreement or a dispute of any kind?
An ombudsman is available through ORNL that provides a way for anyone in a business relationship with ORNL to voice concerns and resolve issues. Mike Frietze can assist with these unique attributes, it is one resource to facilitate ORNL's commitment to maintain effective, hospitable, and mutually beneficial business partnerships with members of the supplier, contractor, and technical partnership communities. Issues ranging from intellectual property disputes to dealing with the differences between ORNL and the private sector can be addressed through his office. He can also guide business partners to the appropriate formal and official resources for problem reporting and resolution.
How does ORNL transfer technology?
By doing research with the private sector and by licensing ORNL technology to private companies. Sometimes research costs are shared, usually under a CRADA, and sometimes other organizations pay ORNL to conduct the research, usually under what is called a "Work for Others" agreement. Many companies and universities utilize the User Facilities for cost-effective technology transfer. See a list of agreements.
What is Technology Transfer?
It's a process for providing companies and other organizations access to inventions and scientific experts and facilities at federal laboratories so that those organizations can use them to provide economic, environmental, and other benefits to the country.
What is the difference between Privately Funded Technology Transfer and Government Funded Technology Transfer at ORNL?
Government Funded Technology Transfer is a mission of ORNL to transfer technology from the laboratory to the marketplace. Privately Funded Technology Transfer (PFTT) strives to achieve this same goal for UT-Battelle based on inventions at ORNL. UT-Battelle uses it’s private dollars to fund the patenting, marketing, and licensing efforts that cover a full range of activities need to move a new technology to the market.
back to topWho takes care of Privately Funded technology transfer at ORNL?
UT-Battelle manages the Privately Funded Technology Transfer program within the Partnerships Directorate at ORNL. The PFTT program works closely with the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge Operations Office, Battelle Memorial Institute, and the University of Tennessee, as well as the scientists and engineers and their divisions at ORNL. Jennifer Caldwell at ORNL is the Commercialization Manager in Partnerships who serves as a point of contact for all PFTT activities.
Is this a new effort?
One of the great distinctions of a National Laboratory is its emphasis on basic research. Scientific advancements can drive disruptive technology change in the marketplace, provided that there is a means to build a bridge between the science and the needs of industry, society, and government. The Partnerships Directorate has been actively transferring the National Laboratory's technology to industry since the early 80s, and UT-Battelle has engaged the PFTT program in the past years.
Is there a form I need to submit to gain access to this technology?
An executed nondisclosure agreement will allow private companies and ORNL staff to exchange proprietary information for the purpose of evaluating technologies. Contact our office to initiate this agreement.
I am interested in pursuing a technology transfer project. What do I do?
Please contact us at Contact. We will respond to your request in a timely fashion.
Are there any constraints on the kinds of projects?
Yes, there are two primary constraints. ORNL can work only on projects that are related to DOE's core mission or that show benefit to DOE. Second, ORNL can work only with U.S. companies in cases where we are not placed in competition with the private sector.
back to topWhat does "benefit to DOE" mean?
As a contractor to DOE, ORNL performs scientific and engineering research and technology development in support of the DOE-ORO core mission in science, energy resources, national security, and environmental quality.
How much will it cost?
The costs vary from project to project. ORNL has no pre-set fee schedule. The cost of each project is determined individually based on the SOW. The work done is strictly on a cost recovery basis. Some user facilities have low or no costs depending on whether your results are published.
Does ORNL have funding sources for my project?
ORNL cannot financially assist any company. However, we may be able to provide assistance in obtaining needed funding.
How long before work can begin?
If after reviewing the technology you are interested in, you want to pursue working with us, we encourage you to have more detailed discussions with us. Any company wanting to enter into a partnership must receive DOE approval. Once your company receives approval, then the negotiations, related paperwork, and approvals become more standardized. Some agreements can be executed as quickly as a few days, but others take longer, sometimes up to a few months. In any case, the Lab cannot begin work until the your funding arrives. Once the funding is in place, work can begin.
Why is the preparation time so long on some of the agreements?
The preparation time includes the time to write up a request for approval, including a Statement of Work, the time to negotiate terms and conditions; the time to write the agreement; and the time to obtain reviews and approvals. All of these activities have their own timetables, essentially, the more complex the agreement, the longer the preparation time. When the partners are in agreement, the preparation time can be reduced
How do I protect my proprietary information when I work with ORNL?
ORNL would prefer not to receive proprietary information; however, if that knowledge is necessary for the Lab to perform the work, we will enter into a Nondisclosure Agreement. Contact us to initiate the process.
How do I apply for a license?
A commercial license can be a royalty-bearing, exclusive, or non-exclusive license.
The royalties usually involve an up-front, non-refundable licensing fee, and a running royalty based on products sold with a negotiated minimum annual amount. Royalty terms are negotiable. The amounts depend on the specific technology and the commercialization plan that is provided by your company. UT-Battelle reserves the right to terminate the license if the licensee is not taking meaningful steps to commercialize the technology.
How does ORNL decide who should get a license?
ORNL broadly disseminates information about licensing opportunities through the Internet and other far-reaching announcements. Interested companies should contact us.
How much will a license cost?
The cost of a license is negotiated based on the market value of that technology, the common licensing practice of the relevant industrial sector, and additional development costs involved in bringing the technology to market. There's a trade-off between up-front license issue fees, royalty rates, and/or equity. The financial terms could include these:
an issue fee, which is nonrefundable and due upon execution of the agreement, a running royalty fee based on a percentage of product sales, a minimum annual royalty fee, and an equity position of the company.
How long does it take to negotiate a license?
Every license is negotiated individually. The time depends upon the complexity of the transaction. It generally takes a few months.
Can I get an exclusive license from ORNL?
Licenses may be exclusive for a particular field of use, or non-exclusive. In all ORNL agreements, the U.S. government is granted a fully paid-up, non-transferable, non-exclusive license to use the invention for government purposes only, as is the case with all federally funded inventions.
What other important requirements are in ORNL licenses?
We are committed to ensuring that our licensed technologies are commercialized so that the public ultimately benefits. We are also committed to the rules and procedures that DOE has put in place for this technology. Furthermore, ORNL licenses contain performance requirements for the licensee that reflects diligent progress in commercialization.
Do I have to manufacture in the U.S.?
Under the terms of the license, we encourage that the manufacturing be done in the U.S.
How can I take advantage of the resources the user facilities have to offer?
There are 18 DOE designated User Facilities at ORNL. Some are available at no cost. The remainder is available at full cost recovery.
How can I get on the list of companies eligible for technology transfer?
ORNL maintains no list of companies who are eligible for technology transfer activities. Instead, the process is driven by you, the interested company. There is an ongoing list of user facility partners available on our site (this list is updated quarterly). Contact us for more information.