DoD Independent Research and Development: Program Report
Abstract
The Department of Defense (DoD) Independent Research and Development (IR&D) Program provides guidance and oversight for DoD implementation of IR&D law and regulations, promotes communications between DoD and industry about IR&D issues, and promotes effective use of IR&D accomplishments by DoD. This report summarizes IR&D Program actions from November 2000 to March 2002. "Independent Research and Development" is R&D initiated and conducted by defense contractors independent of DoD control and without direct DoD funding. Major defense contractors conduct thousands of IR&D projects currently costing approximately $3 billion annually. These projects provide an important supplement to R&D funded directly by DoD. Contractors recovered 51 percent of IR&D costs as indirect expenses under defense contracts in Fiscal Year 2000. The primary objectives of the DoD IR&D Program are to ensure the following: (1) industry is aware of DoD's R&D activities and technological needs, (2) industry provides information to DoD about their IR&D activities, and (3) DoD makes effective use of IR&D accomplishments in defense applications. The IR&D Program Action Plan was developed to improve the processes within DoD for managing IR&D activities and to increase the effectiveness of IR&D spending to support national defense needs. The Plan focuses on improving communications between DoD and industry on defense needs and IR&D accomplishments and ensuring effective use of IR&D accomplishments to meet defense needs. The Action Plan focuses on four objectives: (1) To improve IR&D Program policy, management, and planning; (2) To promote effective DoD use of technologies developed through IR&D efforts; (3) To improve Government/industry communications on DoD's S&T goals and IR&D projects; and (4) To evaluate other measures to increase the effectiveness of IR&D efforts. The following sections of this report address these objectives in order, summarizing IR&D Program actions to achieve each objective7
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA433922