Goal pathway

Bring a prototype into use

Compare acquisition, transition, qualifying production and contract-finance pathways.

Explore relevant tools

28 related records. Start with these selected options, or open the complete goal filter.

Research, innovation and experimentationACQ-05

Award follow-on production or sustainment after a successful prototype OT

Implement or expand successful prototype results through a follow-on production contract or transaction, including sustainment; a successful consortium subproject need not await all other subprojects.

Other transactions

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Research, innovation and experimentationACQ-07

Include bridge prototype or initial production units in a research contract

A competitively selected general-solicitation research contract may contain line items/options for development, demonstration, initial production or initial/additional items arising from its work.

Contracts & purchases

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Research, innovation and experimentationACQ-09

Accelerate commercialization through the Rapid Innovation Program

Use competitive contracts, cooperative agreements and OTs to transition innovative small-business/laboratory/prototype technologies into defense acquisition programs.

Other statutory tools

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Research, innovation and experimentationACQ-18

Purchase SBIR/STTR-derived technology through Phase III awards

Make follow-on awards, including qualifying sole-source awards, for development, testing, production or services derived from prior SBIR/STTR work using non-SBIR/STTR funding.

Contracts & purchases

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Acquisition, transition and contract financeACQ-40

Acquire commercial solutions through general solicitations and follow-on awards

Competitively select commercial products, services or nondevelopmental items via general solicitation with peer, technical or operational review and use authorized follow-on production routes.

Other statutory tools

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Acquisition, transition and contract financeACQ-42

Rapidly acquire urgent capabilities and make limited emergency funding/waiver decisions

Respond to documented combat, contingency or cyber deficiencies through accelerated acquisition/deployment; specified determinations unlock bounded use of available funds and selected legal waivers.

Other statutory tools

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From operational need to commercial prototype and production

COCOM or Service states the problem and identifies an operational/production sponsor.
Research or prototype through the appropriate statutory mechanism; involve DIU, DARPA, a Service laboratory or acquisition organization where relevant.
Document participation, competition, prototype scope and approval conditions.
Use a lawful follow-on production route if its statutory requirements are met; otherwise select another acquisition route.
Fund and approve testing, integration, data/IP needs, deployment and sustainment separately as required.

A successful demonstration is not by itself a funded production program.

Five independent checks

Legal powerSource and conditions recorded

EligibilityProject-specific check needed

Available fundsBalances not verified

DelegationValid signature authority must be checked

ExecutionOffice capacity and approvals must be checked

These are questions to resolve, not a sequence of approvals or an automatic readiness score.