Invitation to Participate in the Department of WAR Drone OTA Consortium

The Department of War is establishing the Drone Other Transaction Authority Consortium to accelerate the rapid prototyping and subsequent fielding of innovative drone systems and warfighter solutions. This agile framework, executed under 10 U.S.C. Section 4022, aims to bridge the gap between the government and the commercial technology sector by bypassing traditional, lengthy acquisition cycles. The agency will not utilize this consortium for the acquisition of advisory and assistance services. The scope of work covers the rapid solicitation, evaluation, and award of Prototype and Production Other Transaction Authorities addressing specific Areas of Interest and Statements of Need. The agency will issue exclusive, problem-focused Requests for Whitepapers and Requests for Solutions. The evaluation process will utilize a simplified three-phase approach consisting of a solution brief, a live pitch or demonstration, and a full proposal. Viable submissions that the agency does not select for immediate award will be retained in an electronic solution basket for up to three years to allow for rapid future awards if funding and requirements align. The agency structured the competition pools to maximize opportunities for non-traditional defense contractors and small businesses, alongside unrestricted full and open competition. Approved vendors will gain a pathway to collaborate directly with the Department of War, United States federal and government agencies, and foreign partner nations. To participate, prospective vendors must submit a formal Vendor Application and a signed Consortium Vendor Agreement via the government portal for Government Steering Committee approval. Eligible applicants must maintain an active SAM.gov registration, a Unique Entity Identification number, and registration in the Wide Area Work Flow for invoicing. Bidders must also adhere strictly to the Arms Export Control Act, International Traffic in Arms Regulations, Export Administration Regulation, and protect Controlled Unclassified Information in accordance with NIST SP 800-171.