OTC Policies and Guidance
View policy and guidance documents related to the ARPA-H Other Transaction Community.
Policy Documents
DHS - OTA Directive - Jul 2005
A directive providing policy for the Department of Homeland Security's use of OT authority for research and prototype projects.
USD A&S - Expanded OTA for COVID-19 Response - 05 Apr 2020
A Department of Defense memorandum to temporarily amend OT approval authorities during COVID (until the national emergency declaration was rescinded).
USD A&S - Memo on Approval Authorities - Nov 2018
A Department of Defense memorandum for DoD entities to consistently and adequately report the use of prototype OTs.
USD A&S - Memo on Implementation Guidance for Section 889 for OTA - 13 Aug 2020
A Department of Defense memorandum that prohibits executive agencies from entering into, extending, or renewing a contract with an entity that uses any equipment, system, or services that uses covered telecommunications equipment or services as a substantial or essential component of any system, or as critical technology as part of any system.
USD A&S - OT Consortia and Foreign Participation Policy 05 March 2019
A Department of Defense memorandum that permits DoD entities to collaborate with OT consortia and encourages inclusion of consortia members for the DoD to access commercial technology in the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Guidance Documents
DARPA - BAA Guide - Nov 2016
A Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency guide that implements processes and procedures for preparing Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) and Research Announcements (RAs).
DCMA Guide - Evaluating Price of OTs
A Defense Contract Management Agency guide to assist government teams conduct and determine prime reasonableness on OTs.
DoD OT Guide - Aug 2002
A Department of Defense guide that provides a framework for DoD entities using OT authority for prototype projects. The DoD Guide has been updated and the latest version is available on the OT Community site.
DoD OT Guide - Jan 2017
A Department of Defense guide that provides a framework for DoD entities using OT authority for prototype projects. The DoD Guide has been updated and the latest version is available on the OT Community site.
DoD OT Guide - Jul 2023
A Department of Defense guide that provides a framework for DoD entities using OT authority for research, prototype, and production purposes.
DoD OT Guide - Nov 2018
A Department of Defense guide that provides a framework for DoD entities using OT authority for research, prototype, and production purposes.
DoD Research OT Guide - Sep 2023
A Department of Defense guide that provides a framework for DoD entities using OT authority for research projects.
DoE - OT Guide - Aug 2023
A Department of Energy guide that provides non-regulatory information and guidance for DoE employees to award and administer OT agreements.
FAA OT Guide - Apr 2023
A Federal Aviation Administration guide that provides information and guidance for FAA personnel to award and administer OT agreements.
NASA Space Act Agreements Guide - Dec 2023
As NASA guide that explains NASA's agreement practice for their equivalent of OT agreements.
NIH - OT Authority Training Guide 2018
A National Institutes of Health guide that provides information for NIH personnel to plan for, award, and administer OTs.
NSF - OT Guide - Apr 2024
A National Science Foundation guide that covers the planning, publicizing, soliciting, evaluating, negotiation, award, and administration of OTs
Strategic Institute - Guide to OTs - 2021
A guide that provides information on innovative business arrangements powered by flexible contracting authorities, primarily OTs.
Strategic Institute - OTs and PSF Coursebook - 2024
A coursebook that serves as a reference document for research, development, acquisition, and sustainment professionals using OT and private sector financing.