Participant Views of Advanced Research Projects Agency 'Other Transactions'.
Abstract
Since 1989 the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) has had the authority to enter into contractual arrangements called 'Other Transactions' with its private sector research and development (R&D) partners. Other Transaction agreements are characterized by enhanced flexibility and reduced administrative burden when compared with the typical Government procurement contract. Congress granted ARPA this 'Agreements Authority' in recognition that a procurement contract is not the appropriate type of agreement for every form of Government-supported science and technology project, a principle recognized in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) itself. Grants and cooperative agreements are generally appropriate to support and stimulate public purposes like the advancement of science and technology. However, Congress has recognized that even the use of standard grants and cooperative agreements cannot provide sufficient flexibility for the needs of every appropriate ARPA research venture; hence the establishment of Other Transactions. ARPA's Director and General Counsel requested the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA) to contact organizations that have participated in Other Transactions to elicit those organizations' views of the benefits and drawbacks of the Other Transaction. The results of this survey are to be included in an ARPA report on its use of Other Transactions. The goal of the survey effort is twofold: to have an independent assessment of the value of Other Transactions vis-a-vis other types of funding arrangements, and to make recommendations to improve the process.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1995
- Accession Number
- ADA304156
Entities
People
- Michael S. Nash
- R. N. Lightfoot
- Richard E. Entlich
- William E. Akin
Organizations
- Institute for Defense Analyses