Efficiency
OTAs combine the simplicity of single point contracting with the power of an unlimited number of solution providers.
We have extensive experience and expertise in Other Transaction Agreement (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.
An “Other Transaction Agreement” or “Other Transaction Authority” (OTA) is a streamlined vehicle that brings innovative research findings and state-of-the-art prototypes from industry to the Federal Government. Congress created the first OTA as a contractual tool for NASA to acquire and apply breakthrough technologies at the advent of the Space Race. Today, OTAs enable fast acquisition of critically needed technologies in areas as diverse as armaments, satellites, medical devices, and electromagnetic spectrum technologies.
Under OT authority, the Government partner can be a single sponsor (e.g., a program executive office) or multiple sponsors coordinated through a lead agency. Technology providers can include for-profit large or small companies, nonprofit organizations, and academic research institutions. Because they are known sources of innovative new technologies, nontraditional companies (those that typically don’t work with the Government) are particularly encouraged to participate in OTAs.
OTAs allow streamlined contracting that isn’t constrained by some of the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). They enable more frequent and open communications between Government and industry so that Government sponsors better understand industry trends and capabilities, and industry better understands Government requirements. This means that OT authority consortia deliver breakthrough solutions to the Government faster than ever before!
We’ve compiled a list of key government resources and contacts to help you understand OTA research and prototyping programs. Visit our OTA Resource Library.
An “Other Transaction Agreement” or “Other Transaction Authority” (OTA) is a streamlined vehicle that brings innovative research findings and state-of-the-art prototypes from industry to the Federal Government. Congress created the first OTA as a contractual tool for NASA to acquire and apply breakthrough technologies at the advent of the Space Race. Today, OTAs enable fast acquisition of critically needed technologies in areas as diverse as armaments, satellites, medical devices, and electromagnetic spectrum technologies.
Under OT authority, the Government partner can be a single sponsor (e.g., a program executive office) or multiple sponsors coordinated through a lead agency. Technology providers can include for-profit large or small companies, nonprofit organizations, and academic research institutions. Because they are known sources of innovative new technologies, nontraditional companies (those that typically don’t work with the Government) are particularly encouraged to participate in OTAs.
OTAs allow streamlined contracting that isn’t constrained by some of the requirements of the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR). They enable more frequent and open communications between Government and industry so that Government sponsors better understand industry trends and capabilities, and industry better understands Government requirements. This means that OT authority consortia deliver breakthrough solutions to the Government faster than ever before!
We’ve compiled a list of key government resources and contacts to help you understand OTA research and prototyping programs. Visit our OTA Resource Library.
OTAs combine the simplicity of single point contracting with the power of an unlimited number of solution providers.
Frequent, open communication helps industry and government better understand one another.
Companies of all types and sizes compete for the best solutions, individually or in teams.
Streamlined contracting gets new technologies developed and delivered quickly.
OTAs eliminate some of the administrative burdens and complexity typically associated with Federal R&D acquisition.
OT authority gives Government the flexibility needed to develop agreements tailored to a particular transaction. Many procurement statutes and regulations—including the FAR and DFARs (the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement)—do not apply to OTs. In fact, a number of studies show that freedom from many contracting regulations have significant advantages. This flexibility means that by using an OTA, both Government and industry benefit from:
OTA vs. FAR Process
By allowing the Government and the industry consortium to share contracting and technical responsibilities, OTAs offer faster contracting than traditional FAR-based acquisitions.
The OT authority consortium enterprise is good government in action—the competition it promotes between large, traditional R&D providers, academic institutions, and small and nontraditional suppliers drives innovation across the entire US economy.
ATI’s core competency is building and managing OTA collaborations.
ATI combines the flexibility of the OT model with the power of collaboration.
As an objective, third party Consortium Management Firm, ATI recruits, organizes, and leads OT authority consortia, overcoming traditional barriers to teaming, such as geographical and organizational divides and intellectual property issues. Using a collaborative approach that can be applied to any set of complex challenges, we lead diverse industry and academic organizations to develop groundbreaking technology solutions. Through collaboration, we help team members—often competitors—reach consensus, establish priorities, and produce technology solutions that benefit Government, industry, and ultimately the Nation.
ATI currently manages 13 OT authority consortia, including the longest-standing one, the largest one (as measured by membership, project awards, and annual funding throughput), and the only one specifically chartered to attract private sector funding for the government sponsor’s research priorities. Our current R&D portfolio represents a broad array of technology areas, including shipbuilding and ship repair, advanced materials, medical technologies, electromagnetic spectrum capabilities, space technologies, and rapid prototyping.
For more than two decades, ATI-led collaborations have delivered valuable technologies and process improvements to the DoD, federal agencies, and industry. We pioneered and perfected the art of collaboration management.
To learn more about OT authority collaborations or to discover how to leverage the research and development benefits of OTAs, contact ATI.
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