Want to try something?
Under two special laws (10 U.S.C. 4022 and 4023), DoD can sometimes buy a prototype or run an experiment outside the normal federal buying rules. Answer a few questions from the want-to-try chart and leave with a one-page path card: which route fits, why in plain language, and what you still need to document.
Unofficial desk aid for people who write requirements and for contracting officers. Not legal advice, and it does not choose the path for you — that decision stays with the government.
How it works
- Say whether you already have a vendor in mind.
- Walk the same forks as the want-to-try chart.
- Get a path card you can copy, print, download, or forward.
Want to try something?
Under two special laws (10 U.S.C. 4022 and 4023), DoD can sometimes buy a prototype or run an experiment outside the normal federal buying rules. Answer a few questions from the want-to-try chart and leave with a one-page path card: which route fits, why in plain language, and what you still need to document.
Unofficial desk aid for people who write requirements and for contracting officers. Not legal advice, and it does not choose the path for you — that decision stays with the government.
How it works
- Say whether you already have a vendor in mind.
- Walk the same forks as the want-to-try chart.
- Get a path card you can copy, print, download, or forward.
Want to try something?
Do you have a vendor you want to try it with?
Do I have a competitive way to access the vendor?
Examples include Tradewinds, P1 Marketplace, DARPA ERIS, a prior SBIR or STTR, or an existing CDAO agreement.
Can it qualify as an experiment?
Was competition not practicable for a documented purpose?
Open a Challenge or CSO
When you don’t have a vendor yet, competition identifies one. Then you can move to a competitive prototype OTA.
- Open a Challenge or CSO
- Collect proposals
- Evaluate against published criteria
- Select a winner
- Result: Competitive 4022 Prototype OTA
Your path card
Competitive 4022 Prototype OTA
Future production path available
Why this path
You have a competitive way to reach this vendor for a prototype, with room for a future production path under this authority.
Still need
- Confirm the competitive access vehicle (Tradewinds, marketplace, ERIS, SBIR/STTR, or existing CDAO agreement)
- Document the prototype need and production-path intent
- Route through your organization’s OTA approval steps
Irongold
Your path card
4023 Procurement for Experimental Purposes
No future production path on this authority
Why this path
The work qualifies as an experiment under 4023, without a future production path on this award.
Still need
- Document why this effort is experimental
- Confirm stakeholders understand there is no production follow-on on this path
- Route through your organization’s 4023 approval steps
Irongold
Your path card
4022 Prototype OTA (competition not practicable)
No future production path on this authority
Why this path
A prototype award under 4022 can proceed with a documented determination that competition was not practicable.
Still need
- Write the competition-not-practicable determination
- Keep the justification with the file
- Confirm stakeholders understand there is no future production path on this award
Irongold
Your path card
New Challenge / CSO required
Open competition to identify solutions
Why this path
Competition is practicable, so open a Challenge or CSO to identify solutions before a competitive 4022.
Still need
- Stand up the Challenge or CSO
- Publish evaluation criteria
- Plan the competitive 4022 after selection
Irongold
Your path card
Competitive 4022 Prototype OTA
Future production path available
When you don’t have a vendor yet, competition identifies one. Then you can move to a competitive prototype OTA.
Why this path
You have a competitive way to reach this vendor for a prototype, with room for a future production path under this authority.
Still need
- Confirm the competitive access vehicle (Tradewinds, marketplace, ERIS, SBIR/STTR, or existing CDAO agreement)
- Document the prototype need and production-path intent
- Route through your organization’s OTA approval steps
Irongold