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The Rise of OTA in Defense Contracting, Part 4: Capitalizing on Consortia

In this final blog of PilieroMazza’s blog series, “The Rise of OTA in Defense Contracting,” we discuss DOD’s authority to award OTs to consortia and how joining a consortium may be an ideal way to “get your feet wet” if you’re a small business, non-traditional government contractor, or otherwise new to OTA. Visit this link to access Parts 1-3 in this blog series. What is a Consortium? In the context of a DOD OT, a consortium is a relationship between a . . . Read More

The Rise of OTA in Defense Contracting, Part 3: Best Practices for OTA Negotiations

In this Part 3 of PilieroMazza’s blog series, “The Rise of OTA in Defense Contracting,” we discuss tactics and best practices defense contractors should deploy when negotiating terms once selected for an OT award. This is essential guidance to strengthen your position and protect your interests throughout the contract’s lifecycle. Visit this link to access Parts 1 and 2 in this blog series. Flexibility = Negotiation As discussed in the previous blog, the flexibility of DOD’s OTA is key to achieving . . . Read More

The Rise of OTA in Defense Contracting, Part 2: What Is It, Who’s Eligible, and Where to Find Opportunities

In Part 1 of PilieroMazza’s blog series (linked here ), we looked at how Other Transactions Authority (OTA) has emerged as a key acquisition tool for government contractors eager to work with the Department of Defense (DOD). In Part 2, we’ll unpack what OTA is, who can participate in these agreements, and where to look for OTA-related opportunities. What is an “Other Transaction”? OT generally refers to the statutory authorities allowing the federal government to enter transactions other than a typical . . . Read More

The Rise of OTA in Defense Contracting, Part 1: Defense Acquisition Reform

President Trump’s April 9, 2025, Executive Order Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurring Innovation In the Defense Industrial Base (EO) is likely to have major implications for federal defense contractors. This blog, the first in a three-part series about Other Transactions Authority (OTA), discusses the EO and the Department of Defense’s (DOD) use of OTA in reforming defense acquisition. For government contractors eager to work with DOD under OTA—particularly small businesses and non-traditional defense contractors with an interest in research, development, and prototyping—the EO’s preference for OTs may present a significant opportunity. . . . Read More

Using OTAs as an Acquisition Mechanism in Defense Contracts: Benefits and Pitfalls

A Look At The Numbers: 2015 Government Contracting Annual Report

Some very interesting data, trends, and analysis of government contracting, which should be of interest to government contractors, was published in a recent report by the National Contract Management Association (NCMA) and Bloomberg Government (Bloomberg). Some of the data should come as no surprise to firms seeing how U.S. government contracting dollars continue to be declining. According to the report, titled “Annual Review of Government Contracting, 2015 Edition,” contract spending will likely continue to fall due to budget caps and the . . . Read More

An 8(a) Contracting Cautionary Tale’s Final Scene

Many may have fond childhood memories of their parents reading cautionary tales or poems to them before going to bed, such as Hilaire Belloc’s “Rebecca: Who Slammed Doors For Fun and Perished Miserably” or Shel Silverstein’s “Sarah Cynthia Sylvia Stout Would Not Take the Garbage Out.” Like these poems, the stories are usually very funny. Yet, however ludicrous they may be, the writings often teach valuable life lessons without (usually) giving children bad dreams in the process. When one exits . . . Read More