Doing Research with West Point

---

The Army, the Department of Defense, and industry partners often call upon West Point researchers to assist on complex projects. Our unique combination of experts in a wide spectrum of academic domains combined with our multidisciplinary approach is an asset to many outside the walls of West Point.

Research Authority

The Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology) or ASA(ALT) has granted authority to the US Military Academy at West Point to participate in the Army Domestic Technology Transfer Program (ADTTP), to enter into Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA), and to license, assign or waive rights to intellectual property created by USMA.  The memorandum of authority is below:

USMA ADTTP Authorization Mar 2009.pdf

Research Policy

West Point's research programs fall under the oversight of the Dean of the Academic Board and the Associate Dean for Research.  Policy for the execution of research activities is documented in the Dean's Policy and Operating Memorandum 5-01 and 5-02.

DPOM_05-01 (16Aug10).pdf

DPOM_05-02 (30Jul10).pdf

West Point's Business Codes

DUNS: 044824696
CAGE/NCAGE: 48TM2
TIN/EIN: 14-1364902
NAICS: 611310 - Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools
PSC: AD21 - R&D Defense Other: Services (Basic Research)

Research Financial Transaction Procedures

West Point researchers engaged with external partners and pursuing financial support should begin the process by contacting the Research Operations office (John Willis, x7931; Lesley Beckstrom, x5105; Diana Matautia, x6318).  The RO staff will assist researchers in the coordination between the technical and budget contacts of external organizations, West Point research teams, and the West Point resource managers (G-8 and PRD).

Following the development of initial statements of work (SOW) and relevant agreements between parties, the RO staff will coordinate meetings to bring all applicable participants in a transaction together to finalize necessary actions.

Below is the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for entering and executing reimbursable agreements:

GFEBS REIMB SOP Final.pdf

To view transaction status, those with USMA server access may go here for the daily USMA G-8 Status of Funds (SOF) reports:

​\\Usmaedu\es\g8\REPORTS\Daily SOF Reports (OMA Funding)

Research Forms and Documents

The Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) is one of the principal mechanisms used by federal research institutions and laboratories to engage in collaborative efforts with non-federal partners to achieve the goals of technology transfer. The CRADA, which is not an acquisition or procurement vehicle, is designed to be a relatively easy mechanism to implement, requiring less time and effort to initiate than previous methods for working with non-government organizations. The CRADA is also intended to take into account the needs and desires of private industry when commercializing a product. Because each agency and laboratory is free to develop its own CRADA model, technology transfer personnel must ensure that they utilize their agency's specific wording and format for CRADAs. Existing CRADAs at West Point:

CRADA CMU - USMA Jun 2010.pdf

CRADA Lockheed Martin - USMA Apr 2011.pdf

CRADA NET - USMA Aug 2011 - Part 1.pdf    CRADA NET - USMA Aug 2011 - Part 2.pdf

Interservice Support Agreements are used when a DOD agency provides support and/or accepts funds from other agencies within the Department of Defense.  The DD 1144 satisfies DoD Financial Management Regulation (FMR) Volume 11A section 010204 which states “Orders must be supported by documented evidence of a formal offer and acceptance between the grantor and grantee of the order.” DD 1144 Support Agreements (Blank and Examples):

DD1144 - Blank.pdf

DD 1144 Example - ASA(ALT)-USMA Dec 2012.pdf

DD1144 Example - AMC-MCOE Oct 2012.pdf.pdf

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) defines a “general area of understanding” within both parties' authorities and no transfer of funds for services is anticipated. MOUs often state common goals and nothing more. Thus, MOUs do not contemplate funds transfers and should usually include language that states something similar to: “This is not a funds obligating document; by signing this agreement the parties are not bound to take any action or fund any initiative.” An MOU may be used to outline the operation of a program so that it functions a certain way. For example, two agencies that have similar goals may agree to work together to solve a problem or support each other’s activities by using an MOU. The MOU is nothing more than a formalized handshake.  An MOU Example:

MOU Example - MAA PREP- USMA Nov 2011.pdf

Intellectual Property and Patent Filing Information

The Research Operations office provides support to West Point researchers pursuing licenses and patents for intellectual property.  During Projects Day in May of each year, a team from the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) assists researchers in the application and filing process.  Below are links to relevant information:

Patent Guide - US AMC - May 1997.pdf

Invention Disclosure Guidance - ARDEC Feb 2012.doc

Invention Rights Questionnaire - DA Form 2871-R.doc

Patent Disclosure AMC 384-R and Record of Invention AMC 1255-R-E.doc

Invention Briefing Template - IEC rev1.ppt

End-of-Year (EOY) Contracting Activities

EOY contracting requires smart planning, synchronized preparation, and unified effort.  The document below provides guidance for the submission of FY2013 EOY requirements:

2013 MICC Cut-off Memorandum.pdf

Leadership

---

The Associate Dean for Research, Director of Research Operations, and the Academic Research Council serve as the Dean’s source of research information, outreach and oversight. They develop and implement the processes and programs to facilitate research by the cadets and faculty.

Associate Dean for Research

The Associate Dean for Research serves as the focal point for research and liaison to external research agencies. Advises the Dean on matters pertaining to academic research and leveraging faculty expertise to the Army and our nation. Provides the institutional oversight on all research activities and research resourcing at West Point.

COL John M. Graham, PhD, is West Point’s Associate Dean for Research. John received a PhD from Carnegie Mellon University, a M.S. from Ohio State University and a B.S. from West Point. At the Academy, LTC Graham’s assignments include Director of the West Point Network Science Center, Executive Officer to the Superintendent, Program Manager for Engineering Psychology and General Psychology, and the Laboratory Director in the Behavioral Sciences and Leadership Department at West Point. His operational assignments include Officer in Charge at the Space Control Detachment of Army Space Command (OEF), the Director of Space Intelligence and Operations Courses (NORAD/USSPCECOM), and leadership positions in the 10th Mountain Division, 82nd Airborne Division, and Korea. He is Space Operations, Jumpmaster, and Ranger Qualified. John also works with the Cadet Scoutmaster’s Council and serves as a leader-mentor. His own research area is in Computational Sociology with focus on both insurgent network exploitation and military organizational collaboration.

Director of Research Operations

The Director of Research Operations supports the Associate Dean for Research and the Academic Research Division by providing project management; strategic communications and outreach; departmental and research center collaboration; funds processing guidance and budgeting; and program assessment.

Mr. John B. Willis is West Point’s Director of Research Operations. John received both M.S. (Systems Engineering) and B.S. (Mechanical Engineering) degrees from the University of Virginia. An Adjunct Professor for USMA’s Network Science Center and a Senior Analyst for Augustine Consulting, Inc. in Monterey, California, Mr. Willis is a retired Army lieutenant colonel whose last active duty assignment was as Executive Officer and Assistant Professor in the Department of Systems Engineering at West Point. In previous assignments, he served as an Operations Research Analyst for the TRADOC Analysis Center – Monterey (TRAC-M) and for the Operations Research Center (ORCEN) at USMA. He served in a variety of leadership and staff assignments in the US and overseas as a field artillery officer in the 212th FA Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, V Corps Artillery, and 1st Infantry Division (Forward). John is an active member of the West Point-Highland Falls Rotary Club and the Military Operations Research Society (MORS).

Academic Research Council

Purpose

Fosters cooperation among West Point departments and research organizations to promote research activities at the Academy. Serves as an advisory and recommending body to the Dean on matters relating to academic research at West Point.

• ARC Chair:
  Dr Jon Steigman - Foreign Languages
• ARC Deputy Chair:
  COL James Raftery - Electrical Engineering & Computer Science

Academic Research Council Members

• Ms. Catherine Bale - Civil & Mechanical Engineering
• LTC David Borowicz - Civil & Mechanical Engineering
• Dr Bill Brechue - Physical Education
• COL Tony Burgess - Center for the Advancement of Leader Development and Organizational Learning
• Dr Kathleen Campbell - Behavioral Sciences & Leadership
• Dr. John Farr - Systems Engineering
• COL Steven Fleming - Geography & Environmental Engineering
• LTC Bruce Floersheim - Civil & Mechanical Engineering
• LTC Louis Florence - Physics & Nuclear Engineering
• LTC Justin Gage - English & Philosophy
• COL Andy Glen - Mathematics
• COL John Graham - Associate Dean for Research
• LTC Paul Kucik - Systems Engineering
• COL Dan McCarthy - Systems Engineering
• Mr Rick Metro - Military Instruction
• Mr. Delroy Patrick - US Corps of Cadets
• Dr. Ericka Rovira - Behavioral Sciences & Leadership
• LTC Michael Saxon - English & Philosophy
• Dr. Thomas Sherlock - Social Sciences
• LTC Scott Smith - Center for Enhanced Performance
• COL David Wallace - Department of Law
• Dr. Ken Wickiser - Chemistry & Life Science

Partnerships

---

West Point faculty partner with forward deployed units, DOD research organizations, academia and industry to do research on real world problems and bring difficult projects to the classroom. Because West Point is a government organization, a number of options have been established by law and by regulation to support research at West Point. Our first step in partnering with government, academic or industry scientists is establishing Memoranda of Agreement or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements. Donors interested in facilitating research capacity are invited to contact the West Point Association of Graduates.

Army Material Command has partnered with West Point to overhaul how Cadets select Academic Individual Advanced Development (internship) opportunities. The beta test system is available to view by military CAC card holders by clicking on the map to the right. Executive Deputy to the Commanding General, US Army Material Command, Teresa Gerton, envisions this site as the first step in a significant expansion of cadet opportunities to serve in AMC during one of the summer breaks.

A manuscript co-authored by Prof. Michael Butkus, Prof. Michael Labare, Department of Chemistry & Life Sciences colleagues at Cornell University, and a colleague at the USDA-Agricultural Research Service on inactivation of Ascaris suum by short-chain fatty acids has been accepted by the Journal of Applied and Environmental Microbiology. An objective of this work is to develop a method for decontaminating equipment following a biological attack.

West Point and Raytheon have partnered through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA). The goal is to better understand the nature of Insider Threats within US Army operational environments. This project partners the strategic, operational, and tactical expertise of USMA, Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science faculty and cadets with technology experts at Raytheon in order to identify useful and technologically tractable application areas.

Systems Engineering Cadets Young and George assist PEO Soldier in identifying potential gaps in the current Nett Warrior design. The cadets traveled to Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington with their capstone advisor to conduct stakeholder analysis with Soldiers and support contractors who have recent combat experience with PEO Soldier’s Nett Warrior (formerly Land Warrior) dismounted soldier system. Nett Warrior “integrates mature commercial electronic technologies and government furnished equipment such as secure communications to provide improved situational awareness and network connectivity capabilities at various echelon levels within a brigade combat team while minimizing the size, weight and power impacts to the Soldier” (TACOM Executive Summary, 2010). The system has been deployed with BCTs in OIF and OEF, and is due to deploy again later this year.

Research Overview

---

LT Zebulon Pike, member of the first West Point research center, led the expedition to Colorado.	Cadets Kelley Cassidy and Galen Mandes study DNA as a conductive material.

Research Origins

West Point has been the center of Scientific and Philosophical discovery since 1802. Our first Superintendent founded the United States Military Philosophical Society in November 1802 to 'make West Point a center of scientific discovery and invention'. Serving as our first ever donor, Superintendent Jonathan Williams provided enough private funding, through a stock donation, for our cadets and faculty to expand on Benjamin Franklin’s basic scientific studies and a small amount to build a library. When the War of 1812 depleted the faculty at West Point, Captain Sylvanus Thayer was the lone voice fighting to keep the USMPS in operation. Five years later he would be Superintendent.

---

Research and the West Point Mission

In today’s environment, the Army is telling West Point that ‘Critical Thinking’ is core to today’s definition of professional excellence. Gone are the days when the Army needed ‘in-the-box’ and predictable decision-makers. When West Point needed to produce ‘in-the-box’ leaders we taught using drill problems that were the same problems handed down through the decades. The Iraq and Afghanistan experience has taught us that we need leaders that can take minimal guidance, problem-solve, and creatively execute with limited resources. West Point has adjusted by having cadets work on real-world research where even the instructor does not know the right answer. Because our cadets represent the top 10% of American youth, we have not been disappointed by their creativity and real-world solutions.

West Point has additional employees working on research whose salary comes from external sources. There is simply no way to continue to develop the caliber of graduate without a healthy faculty research program. When Cadet Josh Lospinoso went before the Rhodes Scholarship committee, they were blown away by his Vita that included six original research publications and conference proceedings. He is now at Oxford continuing his studies in Network Science. He is feeding his latest findings to his former West Point lab partners who are in Iraq and Afghanistan serving as Counter IED Network Analysts.

---

West Point as a Research Institution

West Point has the largest concentration of advanced degrees in the Army in one place. These Soldiers and Civilians are motivated to stay at the forefront of their expertise and give back to the Army. West Point is consistently ranked in the top ten colleges in America because the faculty teaching cadet courses are doing the research.

West Point has a very unique ability to do interdisciplinary, cutting-edge basic and applied research. Our unique ability comes from our willingness to break down traditional stovepipes and work together to produce the best possible leader for our Army. Bigger and better funded universities and colleges often visit and are shocked at how well our faculty and staff collaborate. Our researchers openly share and collaborate at a rate that none can replicate. Those collaborations create solutions that draw from multiple disciplines and are far out-of-the-box.

---

Research Project Selection

First and foremost is the expertise and passion of our faculty. Sixty percent of our instructors just left combat and were sent for an advanced degree at one of our nation’s top universities or colleges. When they arrive at graduate school they are hungry to get to work on solutions to the problems they faced in combat. There are many stories of combat seasoned officers arriving at a graduate school and, through intensity and passion, convincing their professors to work on Army problems. In some cases, savvy research agencies throughout the Army, DOD, and government partner with our faculty to resource their passion and transition products or concepts to the Soldier. In other cases, individual and corporate donors provide resourcing to kick-start innovation. In every case, West Point encourages the research that transfers into the classroom.

---

Codes for Doing Business with West Point

DUNS:  044824696
CAGE/NCAGE:  48TM2
TIN/EIN:  14-1364902
NAICS:  611310 - Colleges, universities, and Professional Schools
PSC:  AD21 - R&D Defense Other: Services (Basic Research)

---

Research Points of Contact

Associate Dean for Research:  COL John Graham, john.graham@usma.edu
Director of Research Operations:  Mr. John Willis, john.willis@usma.edu
Research Operations Administrative Officer:  Ms. Lesley Beckstrom, lesley.beckstrom@usma.edu