Accelerating Federal Innovation Through Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs)
Bridging Federal Capability with Real-World Impact
At ADF, we operate at the intersection of national security, energy innovation, and regional economic development—connecting federal resources with the organizations that can turn them into impact.
Through Partnership Intermediary Agreements (PIAs), we help agencies like the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DOE) extend their reach beyond the lab and into the marketplace.
What is a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)?
A Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA)—authorized under 15 U.S.C. §3715—is a collaboration mechanism that enables federal agencies to work through a trusted intermediary to:
- Expand access to federal labs and technical capabilities
- Accelerate technology transfer and commercialization
- Engage nontraditional partners, including startups and regional innovators
ADF serves as that intermediary—translating federal innovation into deployable solutions.
Why PIAs Matter for DoD, DOE, and Regional Leaders
For Department of Defense (DoD)
- Accelerate dual-use technology adoption
- Engage nontraditional defense partners
- Strengthen the defense industrial base
For Department of Energy (DOE)
- Expand energy innovation deployment
- Support lab-to-market commercialization
- Enable regional energy ecosystems
For Regional Economic Development Organizations
- Unlock access to federal R&D and infrastructure
- Attract and grow high-tech industries
- Build innovation-driven economies
What We Do as a Partnership Intermediary
ADF is not a passive partner—we actively drive outcomes.
We Connect
Link federal labs with:
- Startups and scaleups
- Universities and research institutions
- Industry partners
We Translate
Bridge the gap between:
- Federal technical language
- Market and operational needs
We Accelerate
Support:
- Pilot programs
- Technology validation
- Commercialization pathways
We Enable Access
Make federal innovation:
- More accessible
- More understandable
- More actionable
How PIAs Work (Simple View)
- Federal Agency (DoD / DOE)
Provides technology, expertise, and infrastructure - ADF (Intermediary)
Coordinates, connects, and facilitates - External Partners
Apply, adapt, and scale innovation
The result: faster, more effective deployment of federal innovation into real-world use.
What Makes PIAs Different
| Traditional Mechanism | PIA Model |
|---|---|
| Grants or contracts | Collaborative partnerships |
| Rigid structure | Flexible engagement |
| Direct relationships | Intermediated ecosystem |
| Transactional | Strategic and catalytic |
PIAs are designed for speed, flexibility, and impact—not bureaucracy.
Why ADF Embraces PIAs
Mission-Aligned Impact
We exist to ensure federal innovation delivers real-world results.
Speed to Deployment
We reduce friction between discovery and application.
Trusted Intermediary Role
We align stakeholders across:
- Government
- Industry
- Academia
Ecosystem Builder
We don’t just support projects—we build innovation networks that last.
Use Cases
- Dual-use technology transition (DoD → commercial markets)
- Energy technology deployment (DOE → regional industry)
- Startup engagement with federal labs
- Regional innovation hub development
- Technology commercialization pipelines
Partner With ADF
Whether you’re a federal agency, regional leader, or innovator, ADF helps you navigate, access, and activate federal innovation ecosystems.
Final Thought
Innovation doesn’t fail because of a lack of ideas—it fails because of a lack of connection.
ADF exists to close that gap.
Through PIAs, we turn federal capability into national and regional impact.