Executive Gov 
The Energy Department is allowing contractors to use Agreements for Commercializing Technology to forge new strategic partnerships with DOE-backed national laboratories.
ACT works to help academic and commercial entities gain access to laboratory expertise, assets and facilities, DOE said Monday.
The authorization follows the completion of a six-year ACT pilot program.
Energy Secretary Rick Perry also approved the pilot implementation of FedACT, a supplementary program that seeks to encourage collaboration between contractors and DOE on federally-funded projects.
FedACT aims to increase transparency of contract terms and conditions between a federal sponsor and a contracting organizations.
