Hanscom AFB and UMass Lowell establish new partnership tool

  • Published
  • By Jaima Fogg

LINCOLN, Mass. – Hanscom Air Force Base officials and the University of Massachusetts Lowell Applied Research Corporation announced their new partnership intermediary agreement at a launch event Jan. 30.

The first of its kind in New England and one of 16 in the Air Force, the PIA will create a robust technological ecosystem designed to foster innovation and enhance national defense and security.

This unique contracting mechanism enables a long-term partnership between a federal government organization and a state or local government, or affiliated non-profit entity to facilitate technology transfer to non-federal entities and the transition of essential technologies back to the federal government.

“The PIA between Hanscom and UMass Lowell Applied Research Corporation takes the idea of collaboration to the next level,” said Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “It enables the creativity and collaboration needed to address challenges faced by our military and forges new paths for entrepreneurs and innovators to contribute to a more resilient defense ecosystem.”

The agreement promotes collaboration focused on technology transfer. It also offers opportunities for business and industry partners aligned with Hanscom’s mission in the areas of command and control, communication, battle management, cyber, networks, electronic warfare, information systems and enterprise digital infrastructure.

“In the Cyber and Networks portfolio, we connect the warfighter with secure, superior combat communications capabilities, while energizing and enabling DoD partners to do the same in the areas of cyber, networks, cryptologic, and tactical data link systems,” said Maj. Gen. Anthony Genatempo, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Program Executive Office Cyber and Networks. “First of its kind in New England, the PIA tool will present new options and insight for us to access innovation and carry forward our mission.”

The PIA is positioned to assist Hanscom in conducting capability assessments, as well as prototyping and transitioning solutions to programs of record, ultimately promoting horizontal integration and enterprise solutions.

Last September, Air Force Materiel Command stood up the Integrated Development Office.

The IDO is designed to acquire the right capabilities and field them faster and more effectively across AFMC and the Air Force enterprise. Its mission aligns with the goals of the PIA.

“This agreement between Hanscom and UMass Lowell ARC allows us to double down on the ability to facilitate the technology transfer between the Air Force, partners in the region and the defense ecosystem,” said Julie Chen, UMass Lowell chancellor. “It supports our military readiness and will help protect and prepare our armed services, ultimately making the country safer and more competitive.” 

New training and education programs stemming from the agreement will ensure that Hanscom personnel acquire the latest knowledge and skills necessary to effectively engage with industry regarding emerging technologies. The partners envision these technologies serving dual purposes. First, "spinning in" technology from industry to the Air Force, and second, "spinning out" technologies from a military context to explore civilian applications and opportunities for commercialization.

“Team Hanscom now has an incredibly powerful tool in our toolbox that opens doors for our program offices to engage with business of all sizes,” said Col. William Collins, AFLCMC Electronic Systems deputy program executive officer. “It allows the Air Force to establish partnerships quickly and accelerate capability from market research to enterprise competition, STEM efforts and workforce training.”

The agreement was officially signed Dec. 13, 2024.