554 



Introduction 



Technology transfer from the federal defense sector to the domestic nonmili- 

 tary sector is a goal supported by several administrations and mandated by more 

 than a decade of legislation (Appendix C). The use of military technology for 

 nonmiiitary needs (i.e., defense conversion), and the development of new mili- 

 tary technologies in conjunction with industry for joint benefit (i.e., dual use) can 

 provide cost savings and improve efficiency both in the Department of Defense 

 (DOD) and in the private nonmiiitary sector. Savings from reducing the size of 

 the military could then be used to stimulate the U.S. economy (Naval Research 

 Advisory Committee. 1993). The Chnton administration supports a technology 

 poUcy intended to strengthen U.S. industrial competitiveness, create high-quality 

 jobs, coordinate management of technology across all government agencies, cre- 

 ate partnerships betv/een the public and private sectors, and redirect the nation's 

 technical resources to civiUan uses (Naval Research Advisory Committee, 1993). 



The purpose of the DOD domestic technology transfer policy, as stated in 

 DOD Report 3200.i2-R-4, is "to achieve the maximum national benefit from 

 DOD scientific and technical efforts" pOD, 1988). Report 3200.12-R-4 lists 

 several policy statements supporting this goal: 



1 . Encourage the dissemination of scientific and technical information, data 

 and know-how developed by or for the Department of Defense to State and 

 local governments and to the private sector, consistent with the requirements of 

 U.S. national security. 



2. Promote the sharing of technology that ''osters the advance of science or 

 that has commercial potential and thus should be employed to best advantage 

 for the security and socioeconomic well-being of the United States. 



