Increases the amount of geothermal energy systems tax credits

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pat Fahy and 1 co-sponsor

The bill would create a DoD pilot to track OTA awards to small businesses and nontraditional contractors, using existing data and ending by 2029.

REFERRED TO BUDGET AND REVENUE

Summary: S. 4882 – Pilot Program to Track OTA Awards

Overview

S. 4882, introduced in the Senate on July 31, 2024, would establish a Department of Defense (DoD) pilot program to track awards made through other transaction authority (OTA). The focus is on awards going to small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors, including those participating via consortia. The bill aims to improve transparency and data collection while minimizing burdens on covered entities, leveraging existing reporting structures or a consortia-manager’s expertise. The authorization for the pilot runs through December 31, 2029, with the final data briefing due by September 30, 2029, and potential recommendations to make the program permanent.

Purpose and Intent

Create a DoD pilot program to quantify and track the number and monetary value of OTA awards to:

Small businesses (as defined in the Small Business Act)
Nontraditional defense contractors (per 10 U.S.C. 3014)
Contractors operating through consortia

Minimize reporting requirements on participating businesses and maximize use of existing data systems or consortia-management expertise.

Provide data-driven insight into OTA use to inform future policy or potential permanent data collection.

Key Provisions

(a) Establishment of Pilot Program

Launch within one year of enactment.
Track the number and amounts of OTA awards to eligible entities, including those via consortia.
Emphasize minimal reporting burden and reuse of existing data structures or consortia-manager capabilities.

(b) Reporting Schedule

(1) Within 180 days: DoD Under Secretary for Acquisition and Sustainment must briefing the Armed Services Committees (Senate and House) on the process to implement the pilot.
(2) Within one year after that briefing, and continuing until the final briefing in (3): The Under Secretary shall brief the committees on the data the pilot is collecting.
(3) By September 30, 2029: DoD shall briefing final pilot data and any recommendations to make data collection permanent.

Authority to conduct the pilot expires December 31, 2029.

(d) Definitions

Nontraditional defense contractor: as defined in 10 U.S.C. 3014.
Other transaction authority: as defined in 10 U.S.C. 4021 and 4022.
Small business: as defined in 15 U.S.C. 632(a) (Small Business Act).

Scope and Impact

Subject: DoD acquisitions and sustainment activities using OTA (including consortia-based arrangements).

Beneficiaries: Small businesses and nontraditional defense contractors engaged in OTA work; DoD gains visibility into OTA utilization.

Potential outcomes: Improved oversight and policy insight on OTA use; potential to adopt permanent data collection if pilot proves valuable.

Legislative Status and Related Action

Status: Introduced in the Senate; read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services (July 31, 2024).

Sponsor: Primary – Catherine Cortez Masto.

Related Bill: S. 4638 (companion).

This bill does not change OTA authorities themselves but seeks to establish a structured, time-bound effort to collect and report data on OTA awards to specific types of contractors, with a path toward potential permanent data collection if warranted by the pilot results.