Register online: https://web.cvent.com/event/66188f43-a535-440d-9064-aa8f808b330c/regProcessStep1

DARPA's Contract Management Office will be holding comprehensive Other Transactions (OT) training on June 28-29, 2023. This training will provide a detailed overview of the history and evolution of this innovative and flexible authority as well specific sections covering common issues that arise during the planning, negotiation, and maintenance of an OT agreement. OT agreements are very different from traditional procurement contracts, grants or cooperative agreements and offer the possibility for negotiation in every aspect of the agreement. Program managers, especially those new to the government or to DARPA, would find the overview on the first day to be helpful, since it will discuss how the unique aspects of OTs can help plan programs differently and attract industry performers who might ordinarily avoid working with the federal government.

This training will be held virtually. Registration is required not later than Friday, June 23.

Among other things, the NDAA codifies the term "prototype" as defined in the OT Guide for purposes of 10 U.S.C. 4022, and authorizes Pilot Authority for the use of OTs for Installation or Facility Prototyping.

​https://www.armed-services.senate.gov/press-releases/sasc-and-hasc-release-text-of-fy23-ndaa-agreement

​On June 2, 2023, OUSD R&E released the Guide to Research Other Transactions Under 10 U.S.C. 4021.  This guidance replaces the previous regulatory regime (that is, the DoDGARS no longer apply to Research OTs). 

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Question: I took WSC 028 Neg-OTA-tion 101 and WSC 029 the OT Simulation Workshop between September 1, 2020 and November 1, 2022.  Do I have to take CON 2880 and CON 2990 to earn the OTA Credential? 

Answer: No.  WSC 028 and WSC 029 are listed as equivalent courses and you may go through your service representative to update your courses in CSOD.  Here's what you need to know:

The DAU Equivalency Program is described online at Defense Acquisition University Equivalency Program (dau.edu).  Click on the "Other DoD/Fed. Agencies" tile in the middle of the page and it will provide you with a list of equivalent courses.  Neg-OTA-tion 101 is approved for 2880, and the OTA Simulation Workshop has been approved for 2990.  

To request credit appear in CSOD, please contact your service representative and have them update their systems.  If you don't know who your service representative is, click on the appropriate tile on the upper right corner at Defense Acquisition University Equivalency Program (dau.edu).

In the meantime, please go ahead and apply for the OTA Credential, CCON 023, at CCON 023 Other Transaction Authority (OTA) Credential (dau.edu).  Many of you have already completed CCL 066, an online course available at any time.  By applying for the credential you should be able to access the two remaining videos required for the credential.

​Best practice is to make sure that anyone with access to proprietary information is aware of the restrictions on releasing that information prior to their participation in the assessment of a prototype.  This is the shell of a sample brief to use as a starting point.  Note that this is intended for use with federal employees (not contractors), must be tailored to the particular OT, and should be reviewed by counsel prior to use. 

This sample is available under the "Tools and Checklists" heading on the left side of the screen. 

Did you go to check your favorite Title 10 section only to find it missing?  Don't fret - two resources to assist you in locating them:  

Crosswalk Documents with a list of the old and new numbers: https://www.acq.osd.mil/asda/ae/title-10-reorganization.html

Federal Register Notice with Updates by FAR Section (effective December 31, 2022): https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/01/2022-25958/federal-acquisition-regulation-update-to-title-10-citations

​Registration is now available for the June 1 OT Counsel Corner and the June 6th OT Huddle! 

The OT Counsel Corner hosts Ms. Azza Jayaprakash from the DOD IP Cadre to discuss IP in OTs at 3 pm on Thursday, June 6th.  Federal employees may register online at https://www.dau.edu/event/OT_Counsel_Corner_IP_in_OTs

In follow-up to the questions posed during the last OT Huddle , the June 6th session at 2 pm will focus on the experimental purposes authority in 10 USC 4023 and be led by Renee Stahl and Mike Clark. Registration is free and available online at https://www.dau.edu/event/OT_Huddle_6_6.

​Consistent with the October 14, 2022 notification from the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) and the Safer Federal Workforce Task Force (“Task Force”) below, OMB has issued guidance to agencies concerning the implementation of Executive Order 14042, Ensuring Adequate COVID Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors (Sept. 9, 2021). Despite the lifting of the nationwide bar to enforcement on October 18, 2022, at this time agencies should not: (1) take any steps to require covered contractors and subcontractors to come into compliance with previously issued Task Force guidance; or (2) enforce any contract clauses implementing Executive Order 14042. To allow time to develop advice and processes for meeting agencies’ obligations under Executive Order 14042 and applicable court orders, agencies should follow the instructions provided in the OMB guidance.  See the full announcement at For Federal Contractors | Safer Federal Workforce.