Use of Other Transactions by DoD

The attached GAO report describes research conducted by GAO on the use of OTA's by DoD and the limitations for their use. The report is fairly written and comprehensive across the agencies that were assessed for their use of OTA's and make it clear that DoD has authority to use OTA's but limits their use to Research and Development Activities for the development of Prototypes related to weapon systems. The development of a prototype can be for new products but can also be for the development of replacement systems that are used on a weapon system needing to be redesigned as a result of obsolescence or the technical advancement of replacement technology. The GAO report makes it clear that DoD does not have authority to use an OTA for acquisitions that are not related to Research and Development Activities or not related to the acquisition of a Prototype.