Department of Defense Innovation Ecosystems

The Defense Grant and Agreement Regulatory System (DGARS) is the system set in place by the United States government for regulating the policies and procedures for awarding and administering DoD assistance and other non-procurement awards.

The Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) is a systematic and evidence-based process for evaluating the technological maturity of critical technologies (CTs), such as hardware, software, processes, or a combination thereof, that are vital to the performance of governmental systems or fulfilment of strategic government objectives or acquisition programs.

The Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) is a systematic and evidence-based process for evaluating the technological maturity of critical technologies (CTs), such as hardware, software, processes, or a combination thereof, that are vital to the performance of governmental systems or fulfilment of strategic government objectives or acquisition programs.

The Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) is a systematic and evidence-based process for evaluating the technological maturity of critical technologies (CTs), such as hardware, software, processes, or a combination thereof, that are vital to the performance of governmental systems or fulfilment of strategic government objectives or acquisition programs.

DEFENSEWERX is made to enable creative and integrated solutions for DoD customers by leveraging a national network of individuals, businesses, academic institutions, and government organizations. The DEFENSEWERX organization assesses the needs of DoD customers and connects them with relevant expertise to help facilitate successful customer outcomes and establish strategic military supremacy.

DEFENSEWERX works with all innovation organizations involved in the Department of Defense Innovation Ecosystem and is focused on making appropriate connections within the innovation ecosystem to leverage the abilities of active businesses and innovators. DEFENSEWERX oversees the activities of The Doolittle Institute, SOFWERX, TeamWERX, MGMWERX, and ERDCWERX.

Prototype OTs give company's a streamlined method of transitioning their prototypes into follow-on production without competition through the granting of production OTs laid out in each individual prototype OT agreement. The possibility of future production OTs are laid out in prototype OTs to increase competition for prototype OTs and reduce the risk of companies protesting against prototype and production OTs. Government organizations planning on leveraging prototype production efforts use prototype OTs to gain greater operational flexibility planning, and technological capabilities.

Production OTs are follow-on noncompetative OTs for successful competitively awarded prototype OTs. They are authorized under 10 U.S.C. §2371b(f) to facilitate the production of successful prototypes made from an awarded prototype OT.

Prototype OTs, also referred to as prototype project Ots or 237b, are for supporting the development and acquiring of prototypes and prototype capabilities and ease the transition of prototypes into production OTs. Prototype OTs support prototypes which have dual-use and defense specific purposes and are encouraged and authorized under 10 USC §2371b - Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects.

The Defense Grant and Agreement Regulatory System (DGARS) is the system set in place by the United States government for regulating the policies and procedures for awarding and administering DoD assistance and other non-procurement awards.

Research OTs, also referred to as 'original' or science and technology (S&T) OTs, are for supporting basic, applied, and advanced research projects. They are authorized under 10 U.S.C. §2371 - Research projects: transactions other than contracts and grants.

Research OTs are meant to take advantage of dual-purpose/use research and development projects performed in the private industry that the US government has a national security interest in. They are designed to help the government take advantage of economies of scale in the private sector without burdening companies with regulatory overhead costs that would harm the company's ability to remain competitive in the private non-defense related sector. Traditional defense contractors are also encouraged to participate in research OTs if they are seeking to adopt new commercial standards or practices, diversify their commercial product and service offerings, or to partner with non-traditional defense contractors (NDCs).

Payment to organization awarded funding from DUI is made by the Defense Finance and Accounting Services. The prototyping process contains an agreed upon set of milestones set by the DoD and the company participating in the OT contract or agreement. Each company receiving prototyping funding is responsible for submitting their own invoices to the Invoicing, Receiving, Acceptance and Property Transfer (iRAPT) module of the Wide Area Workflow application (WAWF).

The Other Transaction Authority (OTA) is responsible for issuing other transaction (OT) agreements to support projects of interest to the United States Department of Defense (DoD). The OTA helps the DoD adopt and incorporate commercial standards and best practices into its operations by giving the government access to technology solutions from non-traditional and traditional defense contractors.

OT agreements are meant to promote:

1. The development of new relationships and practices of non-traditional and traditional defense contractors, even with contractors not interested in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) based government projects
2. The expansion of the industrial base accessible by the United States government
3. The success of dual-use projects
4. A more flexible, quicker, and less expensive project execution and design process
5. The leveraging of commercial investments in technology development through DoD partnerships to include DoD requirements in the development of future products and technologies
6. Opportunities for collaboration in innovative projects

OT agreements are not meant to:

1. Be part of, or replace, FAR based contracts
2. Be grants
3. Be cooperative agreements
4. Be Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs)

The Defense Innovation Unit (DUI) works to accelerate the adoption of commercial technologies within the United States military, and to grow the innovation base supporting national security interests. It's primary technology focuses include artificial intelligence, autonomy, cyber, human systems, and space.

DUI awards contract awards for creating prototypes within 60-90 days. Projects supported by DUI are awarded their contracts through the Commercial Solutions Opening Process (CSO) and are typically completed within 12-24 months. DUI also awards prototyping Other Transactions (OT) agreements for non-competitive follow-on product production or FAR-based contracts after the development of a successful prototype is developed.

The Naval Aviation Systems Consortium (NASC) uses the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to support the technology needs of the Naval Warfare Centers (NAWCs) and the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) through funding and support. NASC began supporting projects in August 2019.

Its consortium members work with the United States government to identify opportunities, provide targeted technology offerings, and help businesses gain access to new markets and growth opportunities. NASC is managed by the Consortium Management Group (CMG), and the CMG is the organization responsible for administering the OTA agreements with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).

The Naval Aviation Systems Consortium (NASC) uses the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to support the technology needs of the Naval Warfare Centers (NAWCs) and the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) through funding and support. NASC began supporting projects in August 2019.

Its consortium members work with the United States government to identify opportunities, provide targeted technology offerings, and help businesses gain access to new markets and growth opportunities. NASC is managed by the Consortium Management Group (CMG), and the CMG is the organization responsible for administering the OTA agreements with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).

The Air Force Techstars Accelerator works with TechStars to run an innovation program focused on developing technologies and companies serving the interests of the United States Air Force.

The Air Force Accelerator works with TechStars to run an innovation program focused on developing technologies and companies serving the interests of the United States Air Force.

The Naval Aviation Systems Consortium (NASC) uses the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to support the technology needs of the Naval Warfare Centers (NAWCs) and the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) through funding and support. NASC began supporting projects in August 2019.

Its consortium members work with the United States government to identify opportunities, provide targeted technology offerings, and help businesses gain access to new markets and growth opportunities. NASC is managed by the Consortium Management Group (CMG), and the CMG is the organization responsible for administering the OTA agreements with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD).