Technology Transfer Guidelines:
Transferring technology from the VA Federal
Laboratory to the private sector for commercialization

Alvin H. Sacks, Ph.D.
Chief, Technology Transfer Section
Rehabilitation R&D Center, Palo Alto VA Heath Care System
Palo Alto, CA

These Guidelines present technology transfer information concerning the commercialization of VA-funded research.

Contents

• Introduction
• Who should read this?
• Definitions
• The Mission
• The Goals
• Rules of the game
• Pertinent government regulations and the law
• Dealing with the bureaucracy
• Working with TTS in Baltimore
• Bringing in business expertise
• Developing a TT team
• Strategic planning
• Documentation
• Looking for new TT opportunities
• Patent protection
• Software and copyright
• Negotiations
• Authority of General Counsel
• Center policy on Center products and TT
• Suggestions to the DVA on how to improve and expedite TT
• General observations
• References
• Appendices