GAO made the recommendation after an analysis showed inconsistencies in how DARPA evaluates outcomes of technology transition programs at the department, GAO said Wednesday.
The watchdog agency also found DARPA does not fully take advantage of government-sponsored repositories to share technical data from transition initiatives to the private sector.
GAO added that DARPA program managers have limited training on migration of new technology from the laboratory to the hands of warfighters.
The study identified several factors that has encouraged DARPA to complete some technology transition programs.
Among the factors identified are military or commercial demand for planned technology and active collaboration with potential transition partners, GAO noted.