R&D PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
"Great discoveries and achievements invariably involve the cooperation of many minds"-Anonymous
Reclamation employees are the principal investigators
eligible to submit R&D proposals and receive proposal
awards. Effective partnerships are a primary R&D
proposal award consideration. We emphasize efficiency
and effectiveness through collaborative R&D with
stakeholders, universities, non-profit organizations, the
private sector, and other local, state, and federal agencies
with water and water-related roles and capabilities.
Collaboratively developed solutions meet the greatest
number of needs at the least cost to all partnership
members, and in the least amount of time than any partner
can do on their own. Collaborative R&D projects achieve
cost-share from R&D project partners through in-kind
services and/or direct funding contributions
.
Unparalleled R&D Opportunity
Looking for
opportunities to work directly with the end-user of your
R&D? Want to make sure that your R&D is valued and
put to work making a difference for water in the West?
Want access to Reclamation's unique, extensive “living
laboratories?”
Reclamation's extensive water storage, water delivery,
and hydropower facilities offer unsurpassed living
laboratories for field tests, evaluations, and
demonstrations. R&D partnerships also have access to
Reclamation’s hydraulic, material testing, and other
laboratories.
The end users of our R&D are Reclamation water and
facility managers and the stakeholders they serve. We
work with our end-users throughout the R&D process to
ensure the tools and solutions we develop are needed,
practical, and valued. Their on-the-ground understanding
of Western water challenges coupled with our technical
expertise, our “living laboratories,” and Reclamation's
solution-oriented approach to confronting Western water
challenges provides an unparalleled forum for water and
water-related R&D.
Partnership Tools
Department of the Interior Partnership Guidance -
Federal R&D Partnership Legislation -
The
Department of the Interior believes that developing
partnerships is a very important way to effectively
accomplish its various missions of managing, conserving,
and protecting America's natural, cultural, and historic
resources. As such, working with partnerships is central
to the Secretary's 4 C's….“Conservation through
Cooperation, Communication, and Consultation.” The
Department of the Interior has issued a Partnership Legal
Primer to help guide the development of effective and
appropriate partnerships. Learn more about partnerships with the Department of the Interior at http://www.doi.gov/partnerships. Learn more about the
Department's Partnership Legal Primer at
http://www.doi.gov/partnerships/partnership_legal_framework.html
Federal R&D Partnership Legislation
Federal
Technology Transfer legislation enables federal agencies
to make their R&D facilities and expertise available to
the private sector through cooperative research.
Technology advancements achieved are transferred to
private industry for commercialization. Federal Technology Transfer legislation enables federal agencies, the private sector, and other non-federal entities to join forces so that:
- U.S. industries have easy access to federal R&D expertise and facilities.
-
Federal agencies have access to private sector expertise
and resources that complement their agency mission-driven
R&D.
- U.S. industries remain more competitive in the global marketplace through technology innovation which helps create jobs, strengthen our national economy, and reduce the nation's foreign trade deficit.
- Industry can license Reclamation intellectual property,
or intellectual property that is jointly developed through
collaborative R&D. This helps to mature federal
innovations for deployment, so that they can be
manufactured and broadly available to benefit the public.
Partnership Agreements
- Cooperative Research and
Development Agreements (CRADAs) are authorized
under Federal Technology Transfer legislation.
CRADA's define the R&D partnership between the
federal government and non-federal entity. Non-federal
cooperating entities are authorized to provide an array of
resources for developing and commercializing a new
product, service, or solution. Non-federal cost-share can
include personnel, equipment, materials, or funds to
cover any additional cost of Reclamation expertise and
facility use. Federal cost share can only include
personnel, facilities, equipment, and materials. No
federal funds can be transferred to a cooperating entity
through a CRADA. Reclamation will enter into a
CRADA only when the partnership offers complementary
capabilities and interest, but the R&D results need to be
relevant and useful to supporting Reclamation's mission
of water and power deliveries.