The Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate, Rome Research Site (AFRL/RIKF) has a requirement for development, operational testing, evaluation, measurement, demonstration, integration, and delivery of prototypes and technology to focus on Air Force related C4IC systems or subsystems.

AFRL/RI has awarded two pervious OTAs (OSAI (Open Systems Acquisition Initiative) and OTAFI (Open Technology and Agility For Innovation) both which were OTPs (Other Transaction for Prototypes). These efforts were focused on producing prototypes in command, control, communications and cyber, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) technological focus areas that increased the efficiency and capabilities of information systems proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense (DOD). These OTA projects utilized numerous vendors to include Nontraditional Defense Contractors (NTDCs), small businesses, nonprofit organizations, and commercial firms. Seventy-two of projects have been awarded and are led by NTDCs. The other 11 include significant nontraditional defense contractor participation. These OTA projects have met the AF goals of development, test, measurement, demonstration, integration, and delivery of prototypes related to C4IC information sharing information systems.

• The objective of this Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) is for the Performer to perform a coordinated prototyping and testing program in conjunction with the Government that speeds the ability to rapidly prototype Government, industry and academia capabilities in the areas of command, control, communications, computers, intelligence & Cyber  (C4IC) technologies proposed to be acquired or developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) to sustain U.S. military technological advantage. Additionally, this OTA will serve as a vital tool to help DoD achieve military integration that is critical to reducing the cost of defense information systems technologies.
• The scope of this OTA is for the development, (operational) test, evaluate, measurement, demonstration, integration, and delivery of prototypes and technology to focus on Air Force related C4IC systems or subsystems.
• Project-Level Orders (PLOs) for improvements to these C4IC systems will be issued under this OTA. Through these efforts the Other Transaction (OT) Lead and Project-Level Performers will iteratively prototype, modify, enhance, test, measure, document and integrate next-generation Open System Approaches (OSA) for capabilities and tools that satisfy requirements for open-architecture (hardware, software, applications).
• These C4IC system or subsystem prototypes will provide new innovative capabilities that provide measurable improvements in performance, function, delivery, flexibility, cost, etc. for rapid transition and use in the field.