What Is An OTA?

One common gripe of contracting within the government is dealing with FAR-based contracts. Enter Other Transaction Authority (OTA). These agreements aren’t just changing the game; they’re redefining how the government fosters innovation. In this exploration of Prototype OTAs, we’ll delve into their pivotal role in driving government innovation forward, focusing on their significance in fostering creativity and agility in government projects.

Defining FAR vs. OTA

FAR, or Federal Acquisition Regulations, is the U.S. government program offices’ default federal acquisition service pathway. Government offices may be familiar and comfortable with the FAR processes, but these contracts are often slower due to regulatory red tape and strict requirements.

However, Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs) are contracting vehicles that allow for the rapid development of new technology. Managed by organizations like NSTXL, OTAs are designed to speed up acquisition timelines, increase the versatility of submissions, and decrease government risk. NSTXL’s submission to award timeline is just over 100 days compared to the 12-24 months typical of traditional defense acquisition options.

The OTA Process

Solicitation and Selection

The journey begins with the issuance of a solicitation, where agencies outline their requirements and evaluation criteria. Industry partners are invited to submit proposals showcasing their innovative solutions and approaches. Unlike traditional procurement processes, which prioritize past performance and strict compliance, prototype OTAs prioritize creativity, flexibility, and disruptive potential.

Iterative Development

Selected partners embark on an iterative development journey, rapidly prototyping and refining their solutions based on real-world feedback and evolving requirements. This agile approach enables continuous improvement, ensuring that the final product meets the needs of end-users effectively.

Evaluation and Transition

Throughout the prototype phase, agencies closely monitor progress, evaluating technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and scalability. At the project’s conclusion, agencies assess performance and determine whether to transition to full-scale production or further refinement. Successful prototypes may pave the way for follow-on production agreements or additional phases of development.

Benefits of OTAs

Flexibility is a key benefit of OTs. These agreements focus on desired outcomes rather than strict process concerns, allowing innovators to explore stronger solutions that might otherwise be overlooked. This saves time, money, and resources by permitting iteration on existing platforms and the development of new ones where necessary.

OTAs also prioritize non-traditional involvement, encouraging more diverse industry participation and opening doors for emerging technologies and entrepreneurs. This diverse involvement is crucial for expanding the government’s technological capabilities.

Rapid Prototyping

Prototype OTAs turbocharge innovation by enabling government agencies to swiftly develop and test prototypes of novel technologies, systems, or processes. By bypassing the regulatory hurdles of traditional contracts, Prototype OTAs accelerate the innovation cycle, bringing groundbreaking ideas to fruition with unprecedented speed.

Collaboration and Creativity

These agreements foster collaboration among government agencies, industry partners, and academic institutions, nurturing a fertile ground for innovation. By leveraging diverse stakeholders’ collective expertise and ingenuity, agencies can tap into a vast reservoir of knowledge and creativity, fostering unconventional approaches to problem-solving.

Less Risk

Innovation involves inherent risks, and Prototype OTAs provide a structured framework for managing and mitigating these risks. Through iterative development cycles, agencies can test new concepts in a controlled environment, identifying potential pitfalls early on and adapting as needed. This proactive risk management strategy minimizes the likelihood of costly failures, ensuring a higher success rate for innovative endeavors.

Embracing Innovation Through OTAs

In today’s fast-paced world, where technological advancements and emerging threats demand agility and creativity, Prototype OTAs emerge as a beacon of innovation. By prioritizing rapid prototyping, collaboration, and risk mitigation, these agreements empower government agencies to tackle complex challenges head-on and deliver transformative solutions that drive progress.

A Contracting Vehicle for Rapid Acquisition

OTAs were created to expand the pool of innovators and allow non-traditional organizations to enter the defense contracting arena, bringing new ideas and technologies to the government. In 2021, over 64% of awards through NSTXL went to small non-traditional companies, highlighting the effectiveness of this approach.

Designed to fast-track research initiatives and prototype innovation, OTAs represent a more agile and comprehensive defense contracting process. By eliminating barriers that slow down award timelines, OTAs help advance national security efforts in support of the U.S. and its allies.

Join NSTXL in its mission to continue this innovative growth. We are changing the way the government innovates, and you can be a part of it, too. Learn more about our offerings, membership, and how you can get involved here.

About NSTXL

NSTXL is focused on building a network of innovators and creators across the most sought-after emerging technology fields. Within the platform, NSTXL supports two OTAs, including the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS) and Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC). 

Join the mission today.

Accessing technology for research and development can be challenging for government agencies. However, OTA government acquisition documents streamline this process so that your facility can quickly access the R&D resources it needs. S²MARTS Research is creating a more connected and streamlined Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) ecosystem, uniquely positioned to better establish the relationship between research and prototyping.

NSTXL‘s experts are committed to helping your government agency capitalize on trends in emerging technology.