By George: Looking Back, Moving Forward

Greetings and Happy New Year!

I always enjoy the start of a new season, even if it’s fiscal! Hopefully everyone was able to meet those last-minute deadlines and check off end-of-year tasks.

Looking back, FY26 was a busy year for the Federal Laboratory Consortium (FLC). Despite the fall 2025 shutdown, we have had over 25,500 engagements with more than 5,000 people across the federal tech transfer ecosystem who used an FLC tool, attended an event, volunteered, or engaged with the FLC in some way — meaning that we are continuing to provide the resources and opportunities that support this community! Two new initiatives launched this year to help us do that even better: the FLC PRO™ designation and the Ask the FLC Experts forum.

Earlier this year, we launched the FLC PRO™ designation to recognize federal technology transfer professionals who have proven experience, continue to build their skills, and engage with the federal tech transfer community! We also created Ask the FLC Experts, a discussion forum on eGroups where you can get all of your questions answered by members of the community across the federal labs and industry professionals. If you haven’t checked it out, I highly recommend joining the group. You never know how many questions you have that your colleagues may share. This is also the perfect place to help your T2 colleagues and share your wisdom as a designated FLC Expert. Contact Courtney Bronson, FLC Director of Professional Development, at [email protected], to learn more.

Turning ahead, we expect FY27 to be a record year for the FLC, and we plan to continue growing our impact. Chief among those efforts is Innovation for Impact, a brand-new event created specifically for the professionals doing technology transfer work in the national security space — because we understand that, as in other tech sectors, this community has specific needs and challenges that require nuanced discussions and dedicated networking opportunities.

Innovation for Impact: A National Security Technology Transfer Forum is coming up in December at the National Conference Center in Leesburg, Va. The FLC is excited to host agencies that work in the national security space to discuss best practices, creative uses of non-FAR agreements, and how to navigate the intricacies of technology development in an environment where information protection is key. Our members asked, and the FLC answered! Registration is now open, so get your spot — and reserve your hotel room at the government rate — while you can. 

The Innovation for Impact forum is focused on the wide range of technology transfer tools that can be utilized to support the rapid development of technology in the national security space. The Department of War’s “Commercial First” policy is a strategic shift toward prioritizing commercially available solutions supported by the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act and Executive Order 14402. How does this change relate to technology transfer? It highlights the power of the non-FAR agreements and the opportunity for federal labs not only to use T2 tools to spin technology out of the labs, but also to play a critical role in technology prototyping, demonstration, experimentation, and development! The White House OSTP Report, Science: A New Golden Age, calls out the need for laboratories to open their doors to support industry. In many cases, access to laboratories is done via technology transfer agreements like CRADAs (10 U.S.C. §3710a) and Work With Private Party agreements (10 U.S.C. §7303, §2539b(a)(3)–(4), and §2563), which highlights the central role the federal laboratories play in driving American innovation.

As we move into FY27 and the FLC continues to grow and expand its footprint, it is critical that we have volunteers for all our programs. Our volunteers ensure that FLC programs and resources remain relevant, high-value, and sustainable. Be an expert for the Ask the FLC Experts eGroup. Be a mentor, award judge, National Meeting presenter, or standing committee member! Volunteering with the FLC is an opportunity to enhance your current role, as well as learn new skills and network. If you would like more information, please reach out to us at [email protected]!

Finally, the FLC Board will meet in a few weeks for the October Executive Board meeting. This quarter will begin the implementation of the FLC’s new strategic plan, which the Board approved in July. Our mission, vision, and core values remain unwavering as we are the go-to resource and voice for federal technology transfer. Our new goals are aligned with our Promote, Educate, and Facilitate pillars. Here is a sneak peak:

• Goal #1 (Promote): Showcase federal technology transfer assets, opportunities, and successes.
• Goal #2 (Educate): Deliver comprehensive education for federal technology transfer.
• Goal #3 (Facilitate): Facilitate federal laboratory connections with the national innovation ecosystem.

The FLC remains committed to our mission of supporting the federal laboratories in maximizing the impact of technology transfer for the benefit of the United States. Keep an eye on our website to view the Strategic Plan.

We are looking at a funded government through at least Dec. 11. While we are now operating under a continuing resolution, it’s helpful to understand how the federal budgeting process works. Our very own Paul Zielinski expertly goes over the two-year process and explains how every step works in a webinar titled “The Federal Budget (for Non-Budget Professionals),” which is available in the FLC Learning Center. I recommend that everyone watch it.

I am optimistic about our growth this next FY, and it is because of our incredible network of federal technology transfer professionals (YOU!), our incredible FLC staff, and our partners that we are able to successfully execute our mission. Please take advantage of everything the FLC has to offer!