North Carolina, NASA Sign Technology Transfer Accord

RALEIGH, NC., -- North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt, NASA Administrator Daniel Goldin, and NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center Director G. Porter Bridwell signed a memorandum of understanding today to facilitate the transfer of Federal technologies to North Carolina businesses, educational institutions and individuals.

Under the terms of the accord, the Marshall Center in Huntsville, Ala., will work with the Industrial Extension Service at North Carolina State University to promote the transfer of aerospace technologies developed by NASA and its contractors to the state. NASA also will assist North Carolina in accessing the resources of the entire federal laboratory system.

"With the increasing trend toward industries' use of advanced technologies, NASA's technological assets could significantly benefit North Carolina business and industry," said Governor Hunt. "Combining NASA know-how with North Carolina's superior industrial extension capabilities will help the state's businesses and industries be more competitive and improve the economy of the state."

Speaking for NASA, Goldin said, "We welcome opportunities such as this to directly assist American business and industry. Through the Marshall Center, North Carolina firms will be able to directly access NASA's broad technology base along with the entire Federal Laboratory Consortium. This represents a vast treasure house of technological expertise which is now available for all in North Carolina to use. I'm pleased to say that the state already has received some technological assistance. A survey conducted earlier this year showed the economic benefit of NASA technology transfer to the state totaled more than $12 million. NASA technology transfer also saved or created 207 jobs and resulted in 10 new products being manufactured."

Sammy A. Nabors, a NASA engineer and representative of Marshall's Technology Transfer Office , will be the principal contact for NASA technical assistance in North Carolina. Marshall has similar accords with several other states in the southeastern U.S.

Under the terms of the agreement, NASA -- through the Marshall Space Flight Center -- will sponsor workshops and symposia throughout North Carolina. Representatives of the space agency will visit businesses and industries to discuss problems and, when possible, recommend solutions. To solve problems, NASA engineers and scientists may recommend appropriate available technologies or they may help to design solutions specific to the problem. Additionally, there are potential opportunities for more in-depth joint technology development efforts through separate agreements between NASA and individual firms.

While many major industries, universities and private individuals have benefited from NASA technology transfer, studies show that those benefiting most have been small businesses with $1 million to $5 million in annual sales, 50 or fewer employees, and which have been in business 10 years or less -- essentially firms which have not yet reached the level of having their own research and development branches, but are looking to improve or expand their product line.

Bridwell said, "The memoranda of understanding between Marshall and states in the Southeastern United States are bridges which transport Federal technologies to those who have paid for their development -- the taxpayer. America is a leading player in the global marketplace. Developing and using state-of-the-art, leading-edge technologies greatly strengthens our nation's position as a world economic leader. Our technology transfer efforts have benefited businesses, schools and individuals in 37 states."

The agreement also will benefit North Carolina educators through various NASA programs aimed at helping them to stay informed of the latest developments in science, engineering and mathematics. NASA's Spacelink system provides educators in all fields with a means of accessing current information, lesson plans, and instructional materials.

For information on the NASA Technology Transfer Program, contact Tom Stephenson at the Industrial Extension Service at North Carolina State University (919-515-2358) or call the Marshall Center Technology Transfer Office at 1-800-USA-NASA.