ACCELERATING SUPERIORITY


A first-of-its-kind report, published by the George Mason University (GMU) Center for Government Contracting, provides key insights into consortia and their critical role in delivering OTA benefits. Specifi- cally, researchers explored data and survey results of 12 different consortia to learn how they enhance innovation, expand the defense industrial base and accelerate the acquisition process for DOD partners.


ENHANCED INNOVATION In their report, “Te Power of Many,” co-authors Stephanie Halcrow and Moshe Schwartz acquired data from 12 of the 42 existing OTA consortia to learn more about their best practices and bene- fits. One of the key points of interest was how consortia enhance innovation under the OTA model. Te answer, according


to Halcrow and Schwartz, is through strongly promoting collaboration and communication between government and industry.


The report cites the activities of the


National Armaments Consortium (NAC), one of the nation’s oldest and largest consortiums with over 1,000 members including traditional, nontraditional and academic organizations. Te NAC regu- larly holds collaboration events with its partners, the Department of Defense Ordnance Technology Consortium, the Aviation and Missile Technology Consor- tium, and the Naval Energetic Systems and Technology program.


First, the government presents its tech- nology requirements directly to a roomful


of industry partners. Between fiscal year 2019 and 2021, each event held by the NAC and its partners saw an average of 45 requirements briefed to an average of 477 industry participants, according to the GMU report.


Second, government representatives brief the requirements, and interested industry counterparts conduct one-on-one meetings to dive into the need, offer suggestions and raise any concerns. In fiscal year 2019 to 2021, each NAC event resulted in an aver- age of 222 one-on-one meetings between government and member organizations.


Ultimately, the report concluded, “Tese events, where industry and government can discuss requirements—even before requirements are firmly set—foster an innovation ecosystem where information flows between industry and government, resulting in more informed requirements and solutions.”


PUT TO THE TEST


Extended Range Cannon Artillery is tested at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, in December 2022. OTA agreements have been especially helpful in rapidly delivering technology prototypes for key long range precision fires programs. (Photo by Mark Schauer, U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground)


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EXPANDED INDUSTRIAL BASE Conversations surrounding OTAs tend to highlight the authority’s flexibility and speed, but these are byproducts of a much larger innovation strategy. Te abil- ity to establish a venue for government and industry to collaborate on complex issues and challenges is its number one priority. Paramount to these benefits, however, is the built-in requirement for “signifi- cant participation from nontraditional defense contractors.” Other transactions are designed to expand DOD’s access to— and to attract—innovative companies and small businesses. Companies without the desire or the resources to contract with DOD are under the more cumbersome, deliberate Federal Acquisition Regulation- based acquisition strategies.


GMU’s Te Power of Many report high- lighted the impact of the consortia model in supporting efforts to expand the


Army AL&T Magazine Summer 2023


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