QUICK, COLLABORATIVE MEDICINE
LIFESAVING LINK
Surgeons handle a human acellular vessel during an operation. The off-the-shelf, bioengineered blood vessel is being studied for use in repairing and reconstructing various types of vascular injuries. (Photo courtesy of Humacyte Inc.)
Indeed, for DOD, that kind of capability—to limit blood loss, to restore blood flow to extremities—represents the future: the future of innovation, the future of medicine; in short, the future of a more resilient warfighter. Yet for years, the frustrating snags in DOD’s plan to foster medical innovation were always the twin barbs of speed and collaboration. After all, what exactly is the simplest, most efficient way for an innovative company to dive into the complex world of military medical contracting with designs on creating, testing and finally delivering to the front lines a lifesaving, game-changing product?
Enter the other-transaction agreement.
INCREASED SPEED, FLEXIBILITY In DOD, as everywhere, every second that ticks off the clock brings you one step further into the future and one step closer to your next obstacle. As the nation’s military medical appara- tus prepares for the future battlefield with a variety of concepts, tactics and products, it must also find a way to apply those tools quickly and efficiently, and at a pace likely exceeding those for previous efforts. For the Soldier entering the “future fight” on new and different battlefields—presumed to be thickly populated urban cityscapes where tools will need to be tougher, smaller and better than ever—nothing less will do.
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In 2014, the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) received congressional author- ity to begin using a special type of contracting tool called an other-transaction agreement (OTA) to facilitate the delivery of advanced technology and therapeutic prototypes for a wide array of military-relevant injuries. What separates the other-transaction agreement from other standard contracting mechanisms—indeed, its defining characteristic—is that it allows for increased speed and flexibility for both parties.
Notably, it aims to set chosen projects in motion in months as opposed to the generally yearlong time span of standard agree- ments. Tat’s made possible by the other-transaction mechanism’s reliance on typically nontraditional defense contractors and a built-in flexibility in data rights and regulatory terms. Addition- ally, other-transactions allow for more conversation between the military and the performer as compared with traditional Federal Acquisition Regulation-based contracts.
“It’s been exciting to watch the use of OTAs grow and expand at USAMRDC over the past few years,” said Sara Langdon, the command’s program manager (PM) for other-transactions with the Medical Technology Enterprise Consortium. “Te flexibil- ity has allowed for awards that involve complex collaborations
Army AL&T Magazine
Fall 2019
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