This is a previously recorded program with live Q&A at the end of the PM session. 

This virtual course will discuss the history, the use of and the advantages/limitations and constraints of OTAs for both the agencies and contractors. 

Other Transaction Agreements (OTA) is the term commonly used to refer to the  authority of the Department of Defense (DoD) to carry out certain research (10 U.S.C. §4021), prototype (10 U.S.C. § 4022), , and production (10 U.S.C. §4022) projects. 

As the US Air Force states:  Other Transactions (OTs) are legally binding instruments that may be used to engage industry and academia for a broad range of research and prototyping activities. OTs are typically defined by what they are not: they are not standard procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements. As such, they are generally not subject to the federal procurement laws and regulations that apply to government procurement contracts (e.g., FAR/DFARS).
 
In the 2015 NDAA, Congress expanded the use of OTAs beyond just weapons systems to more any prototype project or improvement of platforms, systems, components, or materials in use by the armed forces and increased the use of production OTAs.  Since then, Congress has continued to “tweak” the use of OTAs to provide additional flexibility in their use.   

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Define an OTA and its statutory basis
• Understand the history of the changes to the OT authority
• Understand the elements of an OTA
• Understand the contracting procedures for an OTA
• Understand the legal considerations for an OTA
• Recognize and determine the impact of the financial and IP rights for an OTA
• See some examples of OTAs