Action Steps for a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA)

An outline of the steps that DOE laboratories and industry partners fulfill when undertaking projects together.

Step	National Laboratory	Both	Industry Partner
1		Researchers discuss ideas, identify mutual interest, draft scope of work
2	Determine contract considerations		Identify corporate support
3	Develop Joint Work Statement (JWS). Send draft CRADA to Industry Partner	Draft Statement of Work w/milestones, etc.
4	Submit JWS to DOE Operations Office		Review draft CRADA
5	DOE Operations Office approval of JWS	Review of CRADA documents and complete negotiations
6	Develop and distribute final CRADA	Review final CRADA
7	Obtain Laboratory, DOE Operations, and DOE HQ approval (if needed) of CRADA		Approve final CRADA
8		Execute CRADA

Keys to Successful Implementations

Laboratory and industry principal investigators responsible for the technical effort communicate early.
Laboratory and industry technology transfer staff responsible for coordinating overall activity communicate early.
All parties agree on funding levels and sources before starting the CRADA process.
Negotiations deal with several important factors including (1) ownership and intellectual property, (2) product liability and indemnification and hold harmless clauses, (3) U.S. manufacture and competitiveness.

Source: Adapted from material prepared by Oak Ridge National Laboratory