We deliver accurate and timely information about technologies, projects and strategies.
Accelerating the transition of new technology to the U.S. Government
Our Role
MilTech is a Partnership Intermediary established in 2004 as a collaboration between Montana State University and the Office of the Secretary of Defense. Partnership Intermediaries are State or local government entities that work with the DOD and other federal agencies to facilitate technology transfer and commercialization activities. Government organizations that qualify as Labs, as defined in Title 15 U.S.C. 3710a, can work with a PIA to improve their technology transition efforts. In 2019 MilTech expanded its Partnership Intermediary role to include the Department of Homeland Security. We solve problems brought to us by U.S. government organizations and assist with transitioning technology in and out of government labs.
OUR VALUE
- Over 580 completed or active DOD projects
- Multiple technology transition projects completed for DHS since 2019
- Leverages Department of Commerce’s nationwide Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) for the U.S. government
- Assist with on-time delivery of innovative technology to U.S. warfighters through hands-on assistance to integrated product teams (IPTs) and vendors
- Expertise in soliciting and implementing user feedback
- Custom designed information research to support technology transition
- Improved product designs that lead to reduced life cycle costs, shorter time to fielding and improved integration and usability
- Rapid fielding of medical, non-lethal, force protection and other technologies
- Responsible execution of project funding, ensuring our customers are able to meet their obligation and expenditure gates and deadlines
- Unparalleled and proven success in finding small, non-traditional vendors to fill US government needs and gaps
- 2020 Nunn-Perry Award Winner recognizing MilTech’s performance in the Defense Department’s Mentor Protégé Program
Information Research & Analysis and Technology Scouting
- Identification of technology gaps and unmet needs to support future operations
- Insight on current and forecast future market landscape for target technologies
- Identification of qualified non-traditional vendors for procurement and new technology development
Design, Design Review and Engineering Samples
- Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA)
- Technical Data Package Review or Technical Data Package Ownership
- Evaluation Samples and Development Assistance
Manufacturing Expertise, Process Improvement and Process Management
- Sustainable, quality and cost-effective delivery
- Supply chain and manufacturing process qualification and development
- Support for internal process improvement to enhance technology transition
Working With Miltech
Your Trusted Intermediary
MilTech is an authorized Nationwide Government Partnership Intermediary that helps bring innovative technology to the U.S. government quickly, reliably, and cost-effectively. MilTech, a research program of Montana State University, meets the requirements to enter into Partnership Intermediary Agreements with the U.S. Government as specified in Title 15 U.S.C. 3715 and Title 10 U.S.C. 4124. MilTech currently has two active PIAs.
Comparison of the three contracting authorities
Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)
Must be with State or Local Govt. non-profit or academic institution.
Provides best access to small non-traditional vendors and academia.
Less burden on contracting: there is no requirement to compete a PIA.
FAR schooled and experienced personnel are sometimes reluctant to embrace the less restrictive nature of a PIA.
Other Transaction Authority (OTA)
Provides some additional flexibility.
Good mechanism for building consortiums.
Can be used for Research, Prototype and Production Purposes.
Abuse or misuse has resulted in significant scrutiny.
Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)
Very familiar (and comfortable) to program managers, commanders, contracting personnel and lawyers.
Functional in all phases of procurement (Programs of Record).
Uses passive outreach techniques (SAM.gov).
Not very agile.
FY 2017 House NDAA Language
“The committee recognizes that Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs), as defined in section 3715 of title 15, United States Code, have been useful tools for the Department of Defense to engage with and leverage small and non-traditional businesses. As the Department continues to expand its efforts to seek out, assess, and engage non-traditional small business vendors in the Department of Defense’s development and acquisition efforts, the committee believes that PIAs could be more effectively used as a tool for engaging this community. … The committee encourages the Department to examine new and innovative ways to use PIAs, such as providing technology assessments or design reviews to understand manufacturability, fitness for use, material availability, and other assessments that can reduce development cycle times.”
Choose a path
MilTech works with industry partners to support U.S. government organizations such as DOD and DHS. To learn more, please choose the appropriate path based on your needs.
U.S. Government
To learn more about how MilTech helps government agencies like yours accelerate the transition of new technology, request access to our expanded site to get more information including project case studies and operational guides.
Request AccessIndustry Partners
As a Partnership Intermediary, MilTech works on a wide variety of technology challenges and platforms. To better serve our Federal Government customers, MilTech engages with Subject Matter Experts, Industry Partners, State Agencies and the Department of Commerce’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership.
learn moreTechnology Vendors
Do you have an interesting technology that the Government should hear about? We don’t connect you directly to the U.S. Government, but if you are interested in finding opportunities please look at our proprietary Virtual Industry Day platform.
virtual industry day