When it comes to who will shape the technological future of the US military, the impact of traditional, large defense contractors shouldn’t be understated. Innovation exists everywhere, regardless of company size. Recent articles, guidance, and interview snippets from policy … Continued
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