Other Transactions authorities (OTs) are not just a tool, nor are they about process. They are so much more and simpler than that. These authorities are about freedom! Freedom to think, freedom to experiment with different ways of doing … Continued
The Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program was established in the 1980’s. Authorizing legislation is 15 U.S.C. 638. The SBIR program taxes Federal agencies with large R&D outlays a small percentage of their extramural R&D budget for funding. The purpose … Continued
Misinformation about other transactions is legion. Much of the misinformation stems from ignorance or a misinterpretation of OTs grounded in previous experience with traditional procurement contracting. Sometimes misinformation is conveyed by sources that many would assume speak knowledgeably … Continued
The chief problem that the DoD and other acquisition agencies have is not tied to a lack of desire to speed up their business practices. Nor is the problem based in a lack of statutory or regulatory authority that … Continued
A new Other Transactions (OT) Guide has been issued by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD, A&S). The new guide is a stark departure from the previous OT for Prototype Guide, issued in January 2017, … Continued
“OTAs are used when you’re really experimenting and prototyping… to find out exactly what the art of the possible is.” – Ellen Lord, Under Secretary of Defense AT&L To adequately solve a problem, the problem must be understood. This … Continued
How the opportunity to save Billions of dollars is being squandered As mentioned in Part 3 of this series Congress presented DOD, which handed the task to the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency (DARPA), a series of programs and what … Continued
It has been erroneously asserted on occasion that only Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriations are available for execution of projects as other transactions pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2371 or 2371b. The question of whether Operations and Maintenance (O&M) … Continued
“Simply having technology first does not ensure an enduring lead. While the United States was first to develop the airplane, only a year after the Wright Brothers demonstrated flight in Paris, the French ran away with the military application … Continued
written by Strategic Institute Staff “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Early on, OT authority and the first agreements were misunderstood; subject to poor reporting that resulted in false assumptions which were then accepted as accurate. … Continued