Other Transaction Agreements (OTA)
ATI has extensive experience and expertise in the Other Transaction consortium business model.
Other Transaction Agreements (OTA), relieve some of the contractual burdens typically placed on contractors working for federal clients, making it possible for non-traditional contractors – small and emerging companies – to participate in technology development.
The Other Transaction (OT) consortium model is an “enterprise partnership” between the government and technology providers in a specific domain. The OT consortium model relieves some of the contractual burdens typically placed on contractors working for federal clients.
We have extensive experience and expertise in OTA collaboration management. Our successful application of the OTA consortium model has played a major role in the growth of its popularity, and we remain the industry leader in this area.
Federal Agencies with OT Authority
ATI works with the following federal agencies that have OT authority.
For a complete listing of all agencies with OT authority and respective statutes, please contact us.
Department of Defense (DOD)
10 U.S.C. §4021
10 USC §4022
Department of Health and Human Services
(HHS)
42 U.S.C. §282
Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)
42 U.S.C. §247d-7e
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
6 U.S.C. §391(a)(1) IAW 10 U.S.C. §4021
6 U.S.C. §391(a)(2) IAW 10 U.S.C. §4021
OTA Resources
- OTAs authorized by 10 U.S. Code § 4021 (formerly 2371) are applicable for basic, applied, and advanced research projects to pursue development and application of dual-use technology. Unlike Prototype OTAs, Research OTAs do not include authority for transition to follow-on production contracts or transactions. Research OTAs require cost sharing arrangements between the government and the other party/parties, typically split 50/50, although the ratio is negotiable based on resources, previous technological investments, commercial vs. government applicability, performance risk, and nature of a project. Although the Competition in Contracting Act (CICA) is not applicable, competition should be pursued to the maximum extent practicable to incentivize high quality and competitive pricing.
- DoD Policy: Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy, within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is the DoD point of contact for questions about the DoD policy regarding use of OTAs to carry out prototype projects. Email the Office of the Deputy Director, DPAP, Contract Policy and International Contracting, regarding OTAs to carry out prototype projects
- Review the DoD Other Transactions Guide: July 2023
- OTAs authorized by 10 U.S. Code § 4022 (formerly 2371b) are appropriate for research and development and prototyping activities to enhance mission effectiveness of military personnel and supporting platforms, systems, components, or materials. Prototype OTAs may only be used to develop limited quantities of prototypes, however, they can provide a path to directly award a follow-on Production OTA or contract without having to recompete the effort. This is an important benefit of the Prototype OTA approach, but programs must develop acquisition approaches for prototype projects that address anticipated follow-on activities to properly take advantage of this authorization and also ensure the organization is prepared and resourced to move forward with a successful prototype OTA.
- DoD Policy: Defense Procurement and Acquisition Policy, within the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is the DoD point of contact for questions about the DoD policy regarding use of OTAs to carry out prototype projects. Email the Office of the Deputy Director, DPAP, Contract Policy and International Contracting, regarding OTAs to carry out prototype projects
- Review the DoD Other Transactions Guide: July 2023
- OTA Educational Webinars – ATI invites you to learn more about the world of OTAs and how you can get involved and bring your technologies to the federal market. Join live, interactive OTA webinars: OTA 101 for the basics and OTA / Academia for specific information on how academia can take advantage of federal R&D funding.
- DARPA’s Acquisition Innovation page – Information on how OTAs work and their benefits, briefing papers, Congressional Research Service Reports on OTAs, articles, and training.
- Defense Acquisition University – Courses, continuous learning modules, and other resources for acquisition professionals.
- AiDA/MITRE website – Learn about Other Transactions and when to use them.
Our OTA Collaborations
