Partnership intermediaries are non-profit entities with specialized skills to assist DHS in technology transfer and commercialization functions. Types of services that may be supported by partnership intermediaries include but are not limited to marketing intelligence, partner scouting, and technology assessments.
The use of a partnership intermediary is authorized under Title 15 U.S.C. §3715
A "partnership intermediary" is defined as “a State or local government, or a nonprofit entity owned in whole or in part by, chartered by, funded in whole or in part by, or operated in whole or in part by or on behalf of a State or local government, that assists, counsels, advises, evaluates, or otherwise cooperates with small business firms, institutions of higher education” and “educational institutions.”
DEFENSEWERX: Established in 2012, DEFENSEWERX (DWX) is a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Niceville, Florida. DWX operates five Innovation Hubs located across the United States. DWX provides technology transfer, innovation and collaboration, prototyping and workforce development/STEM outreach as a partnership intermediary (PI). DWX is assisting DHS S&T with its technology transfer and commercialization functions by managing the pilot DHS Innovation Hub, HSWERX, to support future DHS S&T innovation and technology transfer and commercialization activities.
MilTech: Established by Montana State University in 2004, MilTech is an authorized Partnership Intermediary supporting the technology transfer and commercialization functions for US government agencies. MilTech aids DHS by promoting the transfer and commercialization of DHS-funded technologies quickly, reliably, and cost effectively. To do this, MilTech relies upon their nationwide network of research partners and SMEs to conduct market analyses, licensee and manufacturer scouting, technology evaluations and assessments, prototyping, and manufacture expertise projects to provide DHS project managers with information key to moving DHS-funded solutions to the marketplace.
New York State Technology Enterprise Corporation (NYSTEC; New York State): Established by New York State Legislation and incorporated in 1996, NYSTEC is an independent consulting company that drives technology transfer between industry and government at the federal, state, and local levels. Partnering with innovators of all sizes, from diverse small businesses to regional leaders and national powerhouses, NYSTEC strives to serve agencies by introducing them to key stakeholders in its strong network within the northeast region of the United States. An established Partnership Intermediary, NYSTEC assists DHS with its technology transfer and commercialization function by identifying new technologies, conducting industry outreach for the DHS technology portfolios, and providing start-up development support.
RTI International: RTI is a leading applied research organization with more than 5,700 employees across 25 locations worldwide. Leveraging its extensive experience with government innovation and global networks, RTI assists DHS by actively marketing DHS-funded technologies and IP to find partners to license and commercialize inventions; training entrepreneurs and researchers on start-up methodologies to identify and pitch their innovations to investors; evaluating the DHS innovation ecosystem and identifying best practices to spur growth; and hosting events to showcase select DHS technologies and accelerate technology transfer and commercialization efforts.
Partnership Intermediary Program Fact Sheet
Partnership Intermediary Statute (15 U.S.C. §3715)
DHS Partnership Intermediary Program at T2C.PIA@hq.dhs.gov