The United States Department of Defense (U.S. DoD) uses several non-traditional procurement vehicles designed to speed acquisition, encourage innovation, reduce bureaucracy, and attract companies that might not normally work with the government. This page provides information about OTAs other non-traditional procurement vehicles used by the U.S. DoD to acquire goods and services.
Commercial Solutions Openings
- Long-term U.S. DoD solicitations (often 1+ year) seeking commercially available, innovative solutions to broad “areas of interest.”
- Areas of interest can be added, updated, or removed over time, allowing agile adaptation to new mission and technology needs.
- Three models:
- Other Transactional prototype solicitations under 10 U.S.C. 4022
- FAR-based procurements under 10 U.S.C. 3458 (DFARS 212.70)
- Hybrid model using both authorities in one solicitation
- Enables awards using Other Transactional prototype, FAR-based contracts, or both.
- Designed for speed and innovation:
- Shorter industry responses (whitepapers, pitch videos, brief technical descriptions).
- Rolling evaluations—no fixed closing date.
- Ideal for rapid acquisition, emerging tech, and commercial innovation.
Broad Agency Announcements
- Used for acquiring basic research, applied research, and early-stage development, not tied to a specific system or hardware requirement.
- Support scientific study focused on advancing knowledge or state-of-the-art.
- Open BAAs accessible on SAM.gov (search “National Defense Stockpile”).
- BAAs express government interest only:
- No commitment to award.
- The government does not pay proposal preparation costs.
Cooperative Research & Development Agreements
- Non-FAR agreement under 15 U.S.C. § 3710a enabling collaboration between U.S. DoD labs and:
- Other federal agencies
- Universities
- Nonprofits
- Industry partners
- Government contributes in-kind support (personnel, facilities, equipment), not funding.
- Partners may contribute funds, staff, expertise, and resources.
- Commonly used for research, development, and demonstration aimed at:
- Technology maturation
- Exploring commercial applications
- Advancing scientific understanding
- Valuable for:
- Sharing lab-developed inventions
- Working on dual-use technologies
- Accelerating commercialization of federal R&D
Prize Challenges & Innovation Contests
- U.S. DoD uses challenges to source and fund innovative solutions.
- Many opportunities listed on Challenge.gov.
- Notable programs:
- DIU Accelerator Challenge (dual-use university innovations).
- Various DARPA and service-specific innovation competitions.
- Canadian equivalent: IDEaS (Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security) program
Procurement for Experimental Purposes
- Allows government to buy items needed for:
- Experimentation
- Technical evaluation
- Assessing operational utility
- Maintaining residual operational capability
- Applies to nine supply categories, including:
- Ordnance
- Signal
- Chemical activity
- Transportation
- Energy
- Medical
- Spaceflight
- Telecommunications
- Aeronautical supplies (parts, accessories, designs)
- Can be competitive or non-competitive; can use any form of contract or agreement.
- FAR/DFARS do not apply:
- No formal competitive procedures are required.
- Contracts may use commercial terms instead of standard procurement clauses.