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Reference.org
Federally funded research and development centers
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<p>Federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) are <a href="/facts/Public-private_partnership/b4RAUT2j">public-private partnerships</a> that conduct <a href="/facts/Research_and_development/2h5UddUu">research and development</a> for the <a href="/facts/United_States_Government/VJCxUaf7">United States Government</a>. Under <a href="/facts/Federal_Acquisition_Regulation/0vJnYW9g">Federal Acquisition Regulation</a> <a href="https://www.acquisition.gov/far/35.017">§ 35.017</a>, FFRDCs are operated by universities and corporations to fulfill certain long-term needs of the government that "...cannot be met as effectively by existing in-house or contractor resources." While similar in many ways to <a href="/facts/University_Affiliated_Research_Center/nHEsB84G">University Affiliated Research Centers</a>, FFRDCs are prohibited from competing for work. There are currently 42 FFRDCs, each sponsored by one or more U.S. government departments or agencies. </p>