OT Huddle

Chris is an instructor at DAU who provides Other Transaction Authority (OTA) training to DoD acquisition professionals as part of the OTA Team. He also works with start-ups to help them develop strategies to navigate public sector procurement processes. Before his current work at DAU and in industry, Chris served as the Senior Contracting Official for the Defense Innovation Unit.  While there, he focused on minimizing the barriers to entry for commercial technology into the government and maximizing the paths to scale successful prototypes for DoD partners. His experience in government contracting includes past leadership roles within the US Army Corps of Engineers (LA District), Installation and Contingency Contracting organizations, and the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement.

Mr. Scott Ulrey is the Senior Advisor for acquisition innovation practices at DARPA, and held previous positions as Deputy Director, Contracts Management Office, at DARPA from 2006 to 2023 and positions as division director and contracting officer at DARPA since 1989. He has more than 38 years of DoD acquisition experience, including tenure as head of the contracts section at the Special Programs Office, the White House Military Office, supporting White House classified acquisition programs.  While at DARPA, Mr. Ulrey was the architect of the mechanics of Other Transactions issued pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2371 and personally trained the first military service and civilian representatives in developing their own Other Transactions. He is a recognized principal authority on Other Transactions and an expert in federal and DoD procurement contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. Mr. Ulrey was also instrumental in the development of the first Other Transactions for Prototypes Program Solicitation for the Tier II+ program, later known as the Global Hawk program, issued pursuant to 10 U.S.C. § 2371, and Section 845, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 1994, and negotiated multiple systems programs such as the Orbital Express satellite servicing program.  An active contributor to the success of acquisition reform initiatives and to the acceptance of innovative acquisition instruments in the acquisition community, he continues to provide advice, assistance, and training on Other Transactions directly to federal and DoD contracting activities. He received a B.A. in English and History from George Mason University, an M.B.A. from the Florida Institute of Technology, and is a Lifetime Certified Professional Contracts Manager. He is the recipient of the Office of the Secretary of Defense 2018 Pricing and Contracting Legends Award.

Mr. Raymond Cannon is the AGILE Lead for Naval Air Systems Command Headquarters (NAVAIR HQ) Procurement Group supporting the entire Program Executive Office, Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons portfolio. The team is established to operate with a high-performing customer service approach targeted towards integrative, contribution-focused, sustainable value for non-FAR based actions and special projects. In doing so, seeking to methodically accelerate the acquisition journey. Mr. Cannon has twelve (12) years of acquisition experience at NAVAIR HQ supporting high-priority systems programs as a contract specialist for PMA-265 (F/A-18), PMA-201 (Long Range Anti-Ship Missile (LRASM)), and Procuring Contracting Officer for PMA-266 (MQ-8 Fire Scout/MQ-9 MUX MALE). He received a B.S. in Business Administration from Towson University and an M.B.A. from the Florida Institute of Technology. He is also DAWIA Level III Certified in Contracting with a Credential in Other Transactions, and DAWIA Level I Certified in Program Management.