The Defense Innovation Unit, or DIU, works across the Department of War to identify and understand critical national security challenges that can be solved with leading-edge commercial technology within 12 to 24 months. Through its Commercial Solutions Opening process, DIU competitively solicits proposals for innovative solutions that meet the needs of DOW. DIU leverages Other Transaction Authority (10 U.S.C. § 2371b(f)) to award prototype agreements in as few as 60-90 days. More importantly, after a successful prototype, the company involved and any DOW entity can enter into a follow-on production contract or agreement just as easily.