Other Transaction Agreements, a rapid contract mechanism frequently used to develop prototypes and experimental technology, will be subject to the DoD’s Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification, according to Katie Arrington, the department’s CISO for acquisition. OTAs allow DoD to buy new capabilities more quickly, by allowing them to sidestep competitive bidding, but the potential for overuse could invite congressional scrutiny. DoD has begun pushing for the use of OTAs to find and execute on solutions that can help treat or prevent the spread of COVID-19, such as innovative ventilator solutions that could be deployed in rural settings.
