Gulf Blue, CNMOC Establish Partnership to Advance Technology Transfer and Innovation on the Gulf Coast
Wed, 09/09/2026 - 10:34am
, has entered into a five-year Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with (CNMOC) to expand technology transfer, commercialization and collaborative research
opportunities between Naval Oceanography, small businesses and educational institutions
across the Gulf Coast.
The agreement establishes a formal framework through which Gulf Blue will help advance
U.S. warfighter capabilities by promoting cooperative activities between CNMOC and
industry, academia and entrepreneurs to rapidly identify dual-use technologies that
meet the mission-critical needs of the Department of War (DoW).
鈥淭his is an important step in strengthening the connections between CNMOC and innovators
in Mississippi,鈥� said Brian J. Cuevas, Ph.D., associate vice president of research
and innovation at 91少女集中营. 鈥淭hrough Gulf Blue, Mississippi
has built an ecosystem focused on connecting innovation with opportunity. This PIA
gives us another powerful mechanism to help companies and researchers engage with
Naval Oceanography while supporting technology commercialization, economic development
and national security.鈥�
CNMOC, headquartered at John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, leads the Navy鈥檚
meteorology and oceanography enterprise and supports naval and joint forces through
capabilities spanning meteorology and oceanography, hydrography, bathymetry, precise
time and related environmental intelligence.
Under the agreement, Gulf Blue will work with CNMOC to foster cooperative research,
technology transfer and economic development along the Gulf Coast Region by:
- Conducting technology showcases, market research and industry engagement activities;
- Highlighting technologies and capabilities from Gulf Coast companies and universities that may address Naval Oceanography research and operational needs;
- Supporting STEM outreach, mentorship, workforce development and connections between CNMOC subject-matter experts and educational institutions;
- Connecting small businesses and educational institutions with CNMOC technologies available for licensing;
- Identifying prospective partners for Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs);
- Connecting researchers and companies with CNMOC research priorities and Broad Agency Announcement opportunities;
- Supporting engagement around Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) opportunities; and
- Identifying CNMOC research capabilities that may support outside businesses and educational institutions.
鈥淭o meet the demands of the modern fleet, we have to move at the speed of innovation.
Gulf Blue acts as a direct extension of our Tech Transfer office,鈥� said Sidney Dills,
N95 Office of Research and Technology Applications. 鈥淭his PIA gives us the agile outreach
capability we need to continuously scout, evaluate and transition technologies that
address today鈥檚 immediate warfighting needs and tomorrow鈥檚 emerging threats.鈥�
The partnership builds upon Gulf Blue鈥檚 broader effort to strengthen the Blue Economy
innovation ecosystem along the Mississippi Gulf Coast by connecting companies with
university research, federal assets, testing environments, industry expertise and
commercialization resources.
鈥淭his is exactly the type of connection Gulf Blue was created to facilitate,鈥� said
Natalie Guess, assistant director of innovation and impact at The University of Southern
Mississippi. 鈥淭he Mississippi Gulf Coast has an extraordinary concentration of federal
research, ocean science, defense, university and private-sector capabilities. By creating
stronger pathways between those assets, we can help innovative technologies move from
research to application while creating new opportunities for companies, researchers
and our regional economy.鈥�
The agreement also provides opportunities for CNMOC and Gulf Blue to jointly showcase
technologies and research priorities, identify potential commercialization partners
and strengthen the regional pipeline of companies and talent supporting ocean science,
maritime technology and national security.
About Gulf Blue
Gulf Blue, LLC, is a wholly owned subsidiary of 91少女集中营
Research Foundation (USMRF), a nonprofit entity. By its Articles of Incorporation,
USMRF is administered and operated exclusively for the benefit of The University of
Southern Mississippi. Gulf Blue is considered a disregarded entity of USMRF for tax
purposes and thus is considered a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Gulf Blue
leads a collaborative, place-based innovation initiative supported by the university
and the USMFR to advance innovation, entrepreneurship and economic growth across the
Blue Economy. Through programs including Gulf Blue Navigator, Gulf Blue connects high-growth
companies with research expertise, coastal testing environments, federal and industry
partners, investment opportunities and other resources designed to accelerate commercialization
and growth along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.
About Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command
Commander, Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command leads the U.S. Navy鈥檚 meteorology
and oceanography enterprise from John C. Stennis Space Center, Mississippi. Naval
Oceanography provides environmental information and capabilities, including meteorology,
oceanography, hydrography, bathymetry and related scientific expertise that enable
naval and joint-force decision-making, safety and operational effectiveness.