Metrics for monitoring section 845 "Other Transactions"

Abstract

Recognizing the need to enhance flexibility and reduce the burden of Government-funded science and technology contracts, Congress crafted Section 845 Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to release Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and the Services from complying with statutes and regulations in the FAR/ DFARS procurement process. This greater flexibility was intended to attract commercial firms that normally would not do business with the Government, thus expanding the defense technology and industrial base. This study was conducted to identify and develop appraisal metrics that could be used to measure both the use and value of Section 845 OTs. The thesis also presents a survey of standard contract management metrics used by various buying organizations. The researcher found that survey respondents rated 13 standard contract metrics to be appropriate for Section 845 OTs

and, recommends establishing four measures to serve as a core set of metrics applicable to all Section 845 OTs.