THE BASKET PROVISION
The Basket Provision is another innovative acquisition tool that can be employed within OT-based Consortia. It is not uncommon for industry to propose technology development projects that cannot go forward due to a lack of available funding at the time the source selection decisions are made, despite being deemed valuable by the government. It is also possible that proposed technology development projects may be valid and approved, but not necessary to accomplish immediate government needs. In such cases, approved proposals can be held in an “electronic basket” for three years. This allows for a subsequent award of the previously-approved proposal in the event of emerging urgent needs, interest in the proposal by a different funding sponsor, end-of-year sweep-up funds or subsequent year funding availability. The provision also eliminates costly, time-consuming, start-from-scratch responses to new requirements or funding opportunities.

The basket provision benefits industry by:
- Increasing the chances that their proposal effort will not be in vain, even if it does not result in immediate work.
- Increasing the likelihood of business opportunities because government may turn to the basket for ways to invest available year-end, sweep-up funding.
It benefits Government by:
- Providing a meaningful, pre-vetted slate of projects for funding that arrives after initial source selection.
- Saving the time associated with duplication in the RPP and evaluation processes.