Using "Other Transactions" as an effective R & D contractual vehicle

Description

The Federal Government is no longer the preeminent market for high technology. With billions of dollars being spent in the commercial sector on Research & Development (R & D), the uniformed services cannot afford to be a non- participant in state-of-the-art technology due to the cumbersome and prescriptive practices of the standard procurement system. This thesis establishes the rationale for using "Other Transactions" (OT) authority as a contractual mechanism in the R & D arena. Background into the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency's (DARPA) use of OTs is the main thrust of this thesis as they have been the predominant and most experienced user of this contractual vehicle since its creation in 1989. This thesis also presents the legislation that created OT authority and the background that established the need for it. Additionally, the analysis focuses on important elements that are fundamental in embracing the use of OTs. If increased utilization of this contractual vehicle by the Services can be achieved, it will facilitate current technology insertion into military systems and attract more resources for future high technology endeavors.

Subjects

Links

• http://handle.dtic.mil/100.2/ADA342230