How Does the HAE UAV Program Acquisition Strategy Differ?
The acquisition strategy for the HAE UAV program has four key innovative elements: • designation as an Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator (ACTD), which allows a streamlined management and oversight process, provides for early user participation, and bounds the schedule length • use of Section 845 Other Transaction Authority (OTA), which allows DARPA to waive almost all traditional acquisition rules and regulations in managing the program, leading to a tailored program structure with increased contractor responsibility and management authority • use of Integrated Product and Process Development (IPPD) and Integrated Product Teams (IPTs) to manage the program, leading to contractor and government personnel working together to resolve issues • use of a single, firm requirement: a unit flyaway price (UFP) of $10 million for air vehicles 11-20, with all other performance characteristics stated as goals the contractor can trade off to achieve the UFP target. While other programs have i
