Other Transaction Agreement (OTA)

What Is An OTA?

An Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) is a streamlined purchasing vehicle that brings innovative research findings and state-of-the-art prototypes from industry to the federal government. OTA-based collaborations are not subject to some of the regulations that apply to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)-based acquisitions. OTAs enable fast acquisition of critically-needed technologies.

Why does BARDA use OTAs?

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BARDA uses OTAs to further its advanced research and development goals, promote innovation, and support the mission of the HHS Public Health Emergency Medical Countermeasures Enterprise.
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BARDA uses OTAs as a type of flexible, strategic partnership between the government and industry to foster innovation and promote collaboration.
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The OTA-based consortium model allows government and industry to communicate more openly, from requirement generation to the proposal stage
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OTAs affords greater technology and prototype acquisition speed, getting solutions to end Users sooner
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OTAs emphasizes engaging a diverse range of technology suppliers of all sizes, casting a wider net for capturing ideas and innovations
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OTAs enable faster contracting through long-term agreements between industry and Government that establish baseline terms and conditions

The OTA 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.

Government gains a better understanding of state-of-the-art industry capabilities.

Industry gains insight into Government needs, expectations, and priorities.

The OTA model provides flexibility for better Government/Industry collaboration.

Interested in Joining?

The OTA-based consortium model allows government and industry to communicate more openly from requirement generation to the proposal stage; it affords greater technology and prototype acquisition speed, getting solutions to end-users sooner; and it emphasizes engaging a diverse range of technology suppliers by casting a wider net for capturing ideas and innovations.

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