Request for Information: Defense-Wide Manufacturing Science and Technology, Other Transaction Agreement for Prototyping
The Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) Manufacturing Technology Office (OSD ManTech) recently released a Request for Information for the development of an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for Prototyping to solicit feedback from interested parties regarding the development of an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for Prototyping, in accordance with 10 USC 4022. RFI responses are due June 3.
Specifically, OSD ManTech seeks input from Manufacturing Innovation Institutes, including BioMADE, on the best ways to develop and implement a Prototype Other Transaction (OT) contract model. One of the questions put forth by OSD ManTech is specific to “biology-based” MIIs. OSD ManTech seeks market research on how to best put into place a Prototype OT vehicle that can allow the DoD to leverage non-traditional, small business and MII capabilities to procure prototypes from the MII network and ecosystem. To that end, this RFI is focused on work that is centered on prototype projects directly relevant to enhancing mission effectiveness of military personnel, supporting platform, systems, components, or materials to be acquired by DoD, or improvements to the same.
Why is it important for you to respond?
Historically, the DoD has used limited contractual mechanisms to obtain the products, goods, and services it needs. These often consist of FAR-based contracts and financial assistance instruments such as grants and cooperative agreements. However, these mechanisms are often complex and burdensome for businesses that do not typically work with the government, and can be laborious, slow, and challenging to implement. An “Other Transaction Authority”, or OTA, is a tool provided by Congress that permits some agencies, such as the DoD, to enter into an expedited and simpler transaction vehicle for federal acquisitions.
As they are not FAR-based, OTAs do not follow a standard format, nor do they include any of the fine-print terms and conditions that FAR contracts or DoD Grant and Agreement Regulations (DoDGARs) grants contain. As a result, they are often considered more flexible and thus more appealing for nontraditional government contractors to work with the government. However, in many cases, such as this one, agencies develop OTA Templates that go through several layers of approval prior to use and implementation. After the templates are formed, changes can be challenging like they are with FAR-based and other agreements. We have an opportunity now to influence the core features of a new OTA template that may be used for years to come. Ensuring reasonable terms are included in the template can make the difference for the ability for BioMADE Members to see the government as a viable customer or not.
OSD ManTech is soliciting responses to the following questions to inform a potential future solicitation and framework for a Manufacturing Science and Technology Program (MSTP) and Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) Technology Area – based Prototype OT.
Questions directed to MSTP Participants, MII Members, and Domestic Manufacturers include the following:
What elements should a Prototype OT contain to ensure the ability to perform ITAR and Classified work?
Two of the DoD MIIs are biology-based. What special considerations should be made to enable prototypes and production in those two technology areas?
If IR&D[1] funds were eligible to count as cost share, would this be of interest to DoD OEMs in the proposing and execution of Prototype OT projects?
What types of projects would be envisioned to be executed using an MII-based Prototype OT?
Is there any additional information related to a ManTech and MII-based Prototype OT not requested above, that you believe should be considered?
The full RFI, and details regarding submission of responses to OSD ManTech, can be found at Request for Information for the development of an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) for Prototyping.
[1] “Independent Research & Design” (IR&D) costs are defined by FAR 31.205-18 as costs of projects falling within the four following areas: (1) basic research, (2) applied research, (3) development, and (4) systems and other concept formulation studies. “Systems and other concept formulation studies” in turn refer to analyses and study efforts either related to specific IR&D efforts or directed toward identifying desirable new systems, equipment or components, or modifications and improvements to existing systems, equipment, or components. IR&D costs do not include the costs of effort sponsored by a grant or required in the performance of a contract. IR&D effort also does not include technical effort expended in developing and preparing technical data specifically to support submitting a bid or proposal.