HOME

Courses

Degree Requirements

Schedule

Cuyamaca Home

Faculty Directory

Academic Programs

Cuyamaca College

Environmental Technology Program


Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act

The Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980 (Public Law 96-480) established the foundation for technology transfer within the Federal government. This law recognized the need for enhanced information dissemination from the Federal government to private industry. It also required Federal laboratories to take a more active role in cooperation with potential users of Federally-developed technology.

Offices of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA)

This legislation also directed large Federal laboratories to establish Offices of Research and Technology Applications (ORTA) in order to conduct technology transfer activities.

ORTA representatives identify and assess potential technologies and ideas from their own Federal laboratories that may be transferred to state and local governments, industry, or universities. These representatives also assist in domestic technology transfer efforts.

The functions of ORTA are:

  • To conduct assessments for selected R&D projects and programs that may have potential commercial applications.
  • To disseminate information on Federally owned or originated products, processes and services that have potential application to State and Local governments and to private industry.
  • To assist the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC), the National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) and other organizations that link R&D resources of the Federal government to potential users in State and Local governments and private industry.
  • To provide technical assistance to Federal, State and Local government officials.
  • To participate in Federal, Regional, State and Local programs designed to facilitate or stimulate the transfer of technology

These changes made it easier for the laboratories to transfer their technologies and provided the means for others to access laboratory developments. Over the years, amendments have been made to the legislation, however, its original intent remains intact--to facilitate access to science and technology.

Back I Index I Forward

 


Last update 05/12/98 by Cuyamaca Web Team