What is an
Other Transaction Agreement?
An Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) is an acquisition instrument which allows the Government to enter into transactions “other than” standard contracts, grants and cooperative agreements.
OTAs are not subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), DoD FAR Supplement (DFARS) and many other statutes and regulations associated with Federal Government contracting.
OTAs provide a commonsense, flexible, efficient and user-friendly way of linking Government buyers and commercial sellers of innovative technologies.
OTAs replace nothing. They are simply an additional tool that Congress has authorized to help Government program managers accomplish their missions.
Benefits of Using Other Transaction Agreements
- Broadens the industrial base available to the Government by providing a pathway for companies and institutions to participate in the Federal marketplace, particularly for those not interested in pursuing FAR-based contracts
- Serves as a platform for collaboration to leverage commercial innovation and investments in technology
- Enables more flexible and efficient project design and execution
- Provides for seamless transition from prototype directly into production
- Accelerates delivery of innovation to the Warfighter
NASC Project Award Process
Competition
Collaboration
1. Project Requirement Developed
To initiate a Prototype Project through the NASC OTA, a Statement of Need (SON) is first developed by the Government Requiring Program Office. The SON does not prescribe the work that is to be done. Instead, it describes the problem for which solutions are being sought.
2. Project Solicitation
The Government releases a Request for White Papers to the NASC that includes the Statement of Need. The membership is notified of the opportunity through the member portal.
3. Member White Paper Development
Members develop their White Paper (WP) that details their technical approach to achieving the Government’s desired end-state, project team, proposed data rights assertions, and rough-order-of-magnitude price. Members submit their WPs to CMG for detailed compliance reviews.
4. Government Evaluation & Selection
The Requiring Program Office evaluates the White Papers and documents their findings and basis for selection decision. Following approval by the Government Agreements Officer, the selection decision is announced to the responding members.
5. SOW Collaboration
Following notification of selection, the Requiring Program Office and selected NASC member(s) collaborate on the development of the project Statement of Work based upon the member’s White Paper.
6. Member Proposal Development
Once the Government and member agree to the Statement of Work, a Request for Proposal is issued. The selected member(s) prepares and submits its Project Proposal to CMG for compliance reviews. Upon completion, CMG transmits the final Project Proposal to the Government for subsequent evaluation.
7. Government Evaluation & Negotiation
The Requiring Program Office evaluates the Project Proposal and documents their findings which form the basis for negotiations.
8. Project Award
When the negotiations are completed, a Project Award is issued by the Government directly to the selected member for execution of the project.