A “partnership broker” is defined as “a state or local government or non-profit entity that is wholly or partially owned by a state or local government, licensed by a state or local government, funded in whole or in part, or operated in whole or in part by or on behalf of a state or local government that supports small businesses; advises, advises, evaluates or otherwise cooperates with them. Universities” and “educational institutions”. The Wright Brothers Institute (WBI) is one of the Air Force`s first groundbreaking partnership mediation organizations. As a center for innovation and technology commercialization, WBI provides solutions for U.S. Air Force initiatives through its innovation, collaboration, and commercialization services. It also ensures that “ready and relevant” small businesses, AFRL decision-makers and subject matter experts work together to find solutions to complex challenges and accelerate skills development. One of these collaborative events organized by WBI was the SBIR Summit, where companies were trained for Air Force engagement. WBI also welcomes several innovation challenges, including new technical solutions acquired globally to address critical capacity gaps. In addition to the value provided directly to the Air Force, the Wright Brothers Institute is also a powerful catalyst for economic growth. This is encouraged by agreements with academic, non-profit, governmental and governmental organizations that combine impactful research at AFRL with entrepreneurial accelerators and create businesses that drive commercial and defense markets. The Academic Partnership Engagement Experiment (APEX) is a PIA managed by Parallax Advanced Research and is the first academic partnership broker funded by the Department of the Air Force. The program connects universities with innovative intellectual property with complementary small businesses and facilitates the transfer of technology from these technologies to the Department of the Air Force.

Partnership Brokers are not-for-profit organizations with specialized skills to assist DHS in its technology transfer and commercialization functions. Examples of services that can be supported by partnership brokers include technology research, foresight analysis, design reviews, prototyping, technology/IP assessments and evaluations, technology acceleration/commercialization, business development, marketing and public relations, training and events, among others. The Griffiss Institute, a talent and technology accelerator for the U.S. Department of Defense and an international network of academic, government, and industry partners, has been serving the Afrl Information Directorate (AFRL/RI), the Mohawk Valley region, and the United States since 2002. The Institute is dedicated to promoting partnerships that solve complex national problems. As part of its PIA with afRL, griffiss Institute`s services include technology transfer, commercialization academy, idea ny Mohawk Valley Accelerator program, educational outreach (STEM) and innovative concepts. In addition, it also offers a visiting professor program, a student internship program, an NYS certified business incubator (New York State), and a vocational training and education center. One of the successes of the Institute`s partnership is the recent unveiling of the Innovare Advancement Center (IAC), an open innovation campus, a partnership between the Griffiss Institute, AFRL/RI, New York State, Oneida County (OC), the City of Rome, the New York State Technology Exchange Center (NYSTEC) and the State University of New York (SUNY).

The Griffiss Institute supports the AFRL/RI through a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA). A PIA is an agreement (contract or letter of intent) between the government and an intermediary organization (local or state government agency or not-for-profit organization). As a partnership broker, IG provides services to AFRL/IR that increase the chances of success in carrying out cooperative or joint activities with small businesses, academia and industry. The PIA enables a wide range of licensing and other technology transfer initiatives. In particular, gi supports AFRL/RI in technology transfer (T2) in identifying appropriate AFRL/RI technologies for CRADA, EPA, licensing and commercialization, as well as in identifying new technologies in the private sector that AFRL/RI can use and commission. Partnership brokerage agreements, also known by the acronym “PIA”, are agreements between the government and an intermediary organization, such as state and/or local government agencies and non-profit organizations. They are operated by or on behalf of a state or local government to provide partnership mediation services that increase the chances of success in conducting cooperative or joint activities with small businesses and educational institutions that require technology-related support from a federal laboratory. For the purposes of this Section, “partnership broker” means an entity of a State or local government or a non-profit entity that is wholly or partly owned, chartered by, wholly or partially financed by, or operated and advised in whole or in part by or on behalf of a State or local government; advises, assesses or otherwise cooperates with small businesses, colleges within the meaning of Section 1141(a)1 of Title 20 or educational institutions within the meaning of Section 2194 of Title 10 that must or may demonstrate that the technological support of a federal laboratory is or may make productive use of the technology support of a federal laboratory, including government programs that provide funds under Section 5121(b) of the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 (15 U.S.C.

278l Note). As an Air Force partnership intermediary, NYSTEC`s innovation and entrepreneurship practice provides innovative technology transfer, transition and commercialization services to the AFRL Information Directorate (AFRL/RI), which advances critical technologies by connecting key partners with the research community. Examples include planning/executing accelerators for innovation-focused companies, managing and producing international/national pitch events, and creating public-private partnership opportunities in deep technology industries. More information can be found here. The use of a partnership agent is subject to U.S. 15.C. §3715 MilTech was instrumental in the development of Reverend MedX`s “XStat syringe™”, a first-child hemostatic device for the treatment of gunshot and shrapnel wounds on the battlefield. STRIKEWERX is an innovation hub that connects people and resources from government, industry and academia to meet the needs of the Air Force Global Strike Command. Through its services, which include innovation, collaboration and delivery, STRIKEWERX assesses the needs of the Air Force Global Strike Command and connects industry, academia and entrepreneurs for successful solutions. The Cyber Innovation Center (CIC), an anchor of the 3,000-acre National Cybernetic Research Park, fosters collaboration among its partners and accelerates technology, research and development. One of its main tasks is to develop a sustainable knowledge-based workforce that can meet the growing needs of government, industry and academic partners. CIC facilitated a collaboration between STRIKEWERX, the Air Force Global Strike Command Innovation Center, and Louisiana State University at Shreveport (LSUS) to develop prototypes and solutions that will help improve the lives of airmen throughout the command.

APEX`s services include creativity and innovation; data analysis; education and training; National commitment; Organizational and personnel development; Navigation of SBIR/STTR processes and technological transition. In particular, APEX`s national engagement works regionally to identify universities with innovative technologies and inform about opportunities and support for the AFWERX SBIR/STTR awards. NYSTEC is an independent technology consulting firm based in Rome, New York, with offices in Albany and New York. .