How to Join

1. Become a member of USPAE
USPAE Member Benefits
  • Free access to USG opportunities
  • Greater access to potential industry partners and customers
  • Members gain insights into future needs and opportunities
  • Advocates for programs and funding to increase U.S. global competitiveness
2. Join the DEC

When joining the DEC, an applicant is not required to have an active DD 2345 certification (Military Critical Technical Data Agreement); however, future solicitations may require an active certification when responding. Each solicitation will note if a DD 2345 is needed.

3. Review the DEC Membership Agreement

Frequently Asked Questions

This consortium provides a vehicle for DoD to contract with trusted partners in industry and academia, including small and medium-sized innovators that typically do not do business with DoD. Through a variety of programs such as conferences, networking events, white papers, and collaboration projects, the DEC will tackle numerous defense electronics challenges and innovations.

Participants may include companies that make printed circuit boards, microelectronics, cable harnesses, connectors, and other components, assemble electronic systems and provide materials and equipment for manufacture and assembly.

The mission of the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) is to strengthen the global competitiveness of the U.S. electronics industry through partnership with the U.S. Government (USG).

As a neutral third-party, USPAE orchestrates interactions between the USG and leaders in the electronics industry and academia. It facilitates collaboration on electronics innovations, helps solve government challenges and accelerates the adoption of new technologies.

USPAE is a non-profit organization and its members have no ownership outside the U.S. or its allied countries. They are leaders in researching and developing innovative technologies and experts in designing, prototyping and producing advanced electronics. All have committed to high standards in quality, cybersecurity and supply chain risk management, helping ensure they are resilient, trusted and secure.

Currently, there is no cost to join and no membership dues for the Defense Electronics Consortium, but companies must be a USPAE member. Learn more here.

Yes

Yes, UEI number and CAGE code are required to perform work with the U.S. government.

To receive a CAGE code and UEI, register to do business with government at sam.gov/SAM.

UEI Quick Start Guide

“Other Transactions Agreement (OTA)” is the term commonly used to refer to the 10 USC 2371b authority to enter into transactions other than contracts, grants or cooperative agreements. The Department of Defense (DoD) currently has temporary authority to award relevant to weapons or weapons systems proposed to be acquired or developed by the DoD. OTA’s for prototype initiatives are acquisition instruments that generally, are not subject to the federal laws and regulations governing procurement (FAR based) contracts. As such, they are not required to comply with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), its supplements (i.e. DFARS) or laws that are limited in applicability to procurement contracts.

Learn more here.