Other Transactional Authority (OTA)

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Workshop Description:

This course is designed to equip professionals with practical, actionable knowledge of how OTAs function as an alternative procurement mechanism. Participants will explore how OTAs compare to traditional acquisition methods, how to engage in consortia and non-traditional partnerships, and how to approach proposal strategy, writing, and orals for OTA-based opportunities. The course will also delve into compliance factors, contracting structures, and the role of non-traditional defense contractor vendors participating as “significant.” Emphasis is placed on current trends and administrative changes impacting OTA usage across DoD and civilian agencies.

Course Overview:
Topics covered include:

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Intro to Other Transaction Authorities (OTAs):

  • Legal foundations and statutory purpose
  • Differences from FAR-based procurements
  • Agencies using OTAs (DoD, DHS, NASA, etc.)

Strategic Impacts of the New Administration:

  • Shifting federal innovation and acquisition priorities
  • Policy trends influencing OTA adoption and oversight

Capture Management for OTA Opportunities:

  • Opportunity shaping and pre-solicitation engagement
  • Identifying OTA-eligible programs and sponsors
  • Early-phase strategy vs. traditional BD timelines

Proposal Management and Writing for OTAs:

  • Key structural differences from FAR proposals
  • Streamlined formats: white papers, quad charts, oral pitches
  • Best practices for technical, cost, and management volumes

Consortiums and the Role of Non-Traditional Contractors:

  • Structure and function of OTA consortiums (e.g., SpEC, S2MARTS, C5)
  • Working within and outside of a consortium
  • Understanding and meeting the non-traditional defense contractor workshare requirement

Contract Types and Pricing Models in OTA Agreements:

  • Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP)-like models, milestone payments, cost-sharing structures
  • What’s negotiable in OTAs vs. FAR contracts
  • Data rights, IP considerations, and audit risks

Compliance and Risk Management:

  • Common compliance pitfalls
  • Navigating gray areas and limited oversight
  • Audit-readiness in OTA execution

Case Study and Practical Application:

  • Real-world OTA project lifecycle overview
  • Sample opportunity review and strategic response planning
  • Teaming strategy for traditional and non-traditional partner alignment

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Who Should Attend
  • Proposal Directors, Managers, Writers, Graphic Artists, Proposal Contributors
  • Business Development Personnel
  • Engineers, Subject Matter Experts, Technical Leads
  • Division/Program Leads
  • Program/Project Managers
  • Any other personnel supporting business development, capture management, and/or proposal

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Certification
  • Receive 1 elective unit toward Shipley certification
  • PMI PDUs (Project Management Institute Professional Development Units)
  • APMP CEUs (Association of Proposal Management Professionals)