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Working in the Public Interest
What is an FFRDC? A Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) is a unique organization that assists the United States government with scientific research and analysis, development and acquisition, and/or systems engineering and integration. FFRDCs address long-term problems of considerable complexity, analyze technical questions with a high degree of objectivity, and provide creative and cost-effective solutions to government problems. Working in the public interest, FFRDCs operate as long-term strategic partners with their sponsoring government agencies. In order to ensure the highest levels of objectivity, FFRDCs are organized as independent entities with limitations and restrictions on their activities. This unique standing permits special access to government information and a long-term perspective. Since FFRDCs are prohibited from manufacturing products, competing with industry, or working for commercial companies, industry and government confidently provide them with sensitive information. Working in this environment, FFRDCs are able to support their government sponsors across a full spectrum of planning and concept development, research and development, and systems acquisition. The missions and core competencies of the nation's FFRDCs support the diverse research and development requirements of their sponsors, which provide guidance and oversight of the FFRDCs' work. Developing long-term relationships with their sponsors enables FFRDCs to achieve a deep understanding of their sponsors' evolving roles, issues, and challenges, as well as to provide an institutional memory. Sponsors conduct comprehensive reviews of their FFRDCs every five years to ensure the quality, efficiency, and appropriateness of the work program. FFRDCs commonly transfer the practical results of their work to the public through such methods as cooperative research and development, technology licensing, open source participation, and contributions to industry standards. MITRE Operates Multiple FFRDCs MITRE is a not-for-profit corporation, chartered to work solely in the public interest. MITRE operates multiple Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). The FFRDC sponsored by the Department of Defense specializes in command, control, communications, and intelligence systems. The FFRDC sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration focuses on the development of a safe, efficient worldwide air traffic management system. The FFRDC co-sponsored by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides technical and program management advice to the IRS and other Treasury Department agencies in support of enterprise systems modernization. The Homeland Security Systems Engineering and Development Institute FFRDC coordinates support to the Department of Homeland Security and its mission partners to protect the nation from terrorist threats, aid the flow of legal immigration and commerce, and recover from natural disasters and other national emergencies. Related Information
Page last updated: October 12, 2011 | Top of page |
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