Intellectual Property (IP) Promotion Strategy
Frequently Asked Questions
Parties considering a submission for this tech challenge should revisit this page regularly. It will be continually updated with responses to questions submitted to ERDCWERX on or before 12 March 2020.
What is ERDCWERX?
ERDCWERX is an innovation hub of DEFENSEWERX, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It was created under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement between DEFENSEWERX and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) to help identify new partnerships for innovation and commercialization.
Who is eligible to participate in ERDCWERX tech challenges?
Industry, academia, national labs, individual innovators, and other parties are invited to apply for consideration. ERDCWERX tech challenges do not require that the applicant be certified to do business with the federal government.
Does it cost anything to submit for a tech challenge?
There is no cost associated with a submission to ERDCWERX for tech challenges.
How are participants selected from among the applications/submissions received?
Submissions for our IP Promotion Strategy solicitation will be reviewed by the ERDCWERX team with input from representatives of our government partner, ERDC. ERDCWERX will be the customer of this service with the expectation that the result will be of benefit to ERDC, its commercialization process and goals.
How many facilitated in-person sessions are anticipated?
One facilitated session will be required to be physically conducted in Vicksburg, MS, with 15-20 people in attendance, representing multiple disciplines. The project may benefit from a process of gathering input and observations from other ERDC stakeholders regarding the current process and opportunities for expansion or improvement.
What is the source of research that leads to ERDC patents?
ERDC provides information for its patents here.
Who is the customer, entity that will ultimately hold the contract with the consultant? Which organization will provide project management?
ERDCWERX will be the customer of this service with the expectation that the result will be of benefit to ERDC and its commercialization process and goals. Project management will be provided by ERDCWERX.
What is the anticipated process of narrowing candidates following the submission close?
ERDCWERX will review and score all submissions and move to either phone interviews if needed or direct to (pre- or direct) negotiations with top candidates. The selected subcontractor should be prepared to move forward on execution of their proposed plan once terms are finalized with ERDCWERX.
What is your expectation of the selected team after February 2021? Do you expect to keep the team engaged in tech transfer work or are you planning to develop that capability internally?
The implementation steps following February 2021 will depend on which of the recommended strategies are adopted. A decision will then be made regarding the resources and capability needed—both internal and external. This may or may not include a subcontractor role.
What is your cost window for this contract? I'd like to make sure I'm not submitting a proposal that would be instantly dismissed based on cost.
A cost window has not been disclosed.
The project considers improvement to ERDC's commercialization process and mentions building stakeholder consensus. Please describe these stakeholders and their role in the commercialization process. How many stakeholders?
Stakeholders include leaders and researchers of each of ERDC's seven labs as well as staff of the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT) and other administrative departments. Roles played in the commercialization process vary greatly and may be defined in information gathering efforts of this project.
The request for submissions mentions TechLink's role in guiding businesses through the evaluation and licensing process, and provides a link to TechLink's IP site where ERDC's IP is promoted. Does the process improvement analysis apply to TechLink's processes, marketing templates, etc. or to the ERDC Technology Transfer website where technologies available for licensing are listed, or both?
The IP promotion strategy that results from this project is expected to take all current efforts into account and identify ways the process can be expanded and strengthened.
What are the measures of success for ERDC to meet its goal of enhancing and expanding the promotion of patented technologies and licensing to commercialization partners?
This detail is not available at this time.
Given the ultimate goal of increasing licensing to commercialization partners, is ERDC/ERDCWERX open to a proposal that outlines a different approach than outlined in the request for submissions?
The approach outlined in our submission request is a suggestion based on the time and resources available. Other approaches may be considered assuming they accomplish or exceed the deliverables called for in the submission request.
How involved/engaged will ERDC and ERDCWERX expect to be in the development and delivery of the pilot project?
Proposals should highlight the degree to which submitters anticipate needing to have ERDC and ERDCWERX involved in the pilot promotion project.
What is the best way to travel to Vicksburg from out of state? Do you recommend flying into Jackson?
The closest passenger air service is Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport.
How can I find out about future tech challenges from ERDCWERX?
We encourage you to join the ERDCWERX ecosystem and follow ERDCWERX on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram) to learn about tech challenge opportunities.
What is ERDCWERX?
ERDCWERX is an innovation hub of DEFENSEWERX, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. It was created under a Partnership Intermediary Agreement between DEFENSEWERX and the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) to help identify new partnerships for innovation and commercialization.
Who is eligible to participate in ERDCWERX tech challenges?
Industry, academia, national labs, individual innovators, and other parties are invited to apply for consideration. ERDCWERX tech challenges do not require that the applicant be certified to do business with the federal government.
Does it cost anything to submit for a tech challenge?
There is no cost associated with a submission to ERDCWERX for tech challenges.
How are participants selected from among the applications/submissions received?
Submissions for our IP Promotion Strategy solicitation will be reviewed by the ERDCWERX team with input from representatives of our government partner, ERDC. ERDCWERX will be the customer of this service with the expectation that the result will be of benefit to ERDC, its commercialization process and goals.
How many facilitated in-person sessions are anticipated?
One facilitated session will be required to be physically conducted in Vicksburg, MS, with 15-20 people in attendance, representing multiple disciplines. The project may benefit from a process of gathering input and observations from other ERDC stakeholders regarding the current process and opportunities for expansion or improvement.
What is the source of research that leads to ERDC patents?
ERDC provides information for its patents here.
Who is the customer, entity that will ultimately hold the contract with the consultant? Which organization will provide project management?
ERDCWERX will be the customer of this service with the expectation that the result will be of benefit to ERDC and its commercialization process and goals. Project management will be provided by ERDCWERX.
What is the anticipated process of narrowing candidates following the submission close?
ERDCWERX will review and score all submissions and move to either phone interviews if needed or direct to (pre- or direct) negotiations with top candidates. The selected subcontractor should be prepared to move forward on execution of their proposed plan once terms are finalized with ERDCWERX.
What is your expectation of the selected team after February 2021? Do you expect to keep the team engaged in tech transfer work or are you planning to develop that capability internally?
The implementation steps following February 2021 will depend on which of the recommended strategies are adopted. A decision will then be made regarding the resources and capability needed—both internal and external. This may or may not include a subcontractor role.
What is your cost window for this contract? I'd like to make sure I'm not submitting a proposal that would be instantly dismissed based on cost.
A cost window has not been disclosed.
The project considers improvement to ERDC's commercialization process and mentions building stakeholder consensus. Please describe these stakeholders and their role in the commercialization process. How many stakeholders?
Stakeholders include leaders and researchers of each of ERDC's seven labs as well as staff of the Office of Research and Technology Transfer (ORTT) and other administrative departments. Roles played in the commercialization process vary greatly and may be defined in information gathering efforts of this project.
The request for submissions mentions TechLink's role in guiding businesses through the evaluation and licensing process, and provides a link to TechLink's IP site where ERDC's IP is promoted. Does the process improvement analysis apply to TechLink's processes, marketing templates, etc. or to the ERDC Technology Transfer website where technologies available for licensing are listed, or both?
The IP promotion strategy that results from this project is expected to take all current efforts into account and identify ways the process can be expanded and strengthened.
What are the measures of success for ERDC to meet its goal of enhancing and expanding the promotion of patented technologies and licensing to commercialization partners?
This detail is not available at this time.
Given the ultimate goal of increasing licensing to commercialization partners, is ERDC/ERDCWERX open to a proposal that outlines a different approach than outlined in the request for submissions?
The approach outlined in our submission request is a suggestion based on the time and resources available. Other approaches may be considered assuming they accomplish or exceed the deliverables called for in the submission request.
How involved/engaged will ERDC and ERDCWERX expect to be in the development and delivery of the pilot project?
Proposals should highlight the degree to which submitters anticipate needing to have ERDC and ERDCWERX involved in the pilot promotion project.
What is the best way to travel to Vicksburg from out of state? Do you recommend flying into Jackson?
The closest passenger air service is Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport.
How can I find out about future tech challenges from ERDCWERX?
We encourage you to join the ERDCWERX ecosystem and follow ERDCWERX on social media (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram) to learn about tech challenge opportunities.
