diff --git a/MANIFEST.in b/MANIFEST.in
index 3c687ce2da..53e1d8eebd 100644
--- a/MANIFEST.in
+++ b/MANIFEST.in
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ recursive-include awx/playbooks *.yml
 recursive-include awx/lib/site-packages *
 recursive-include awx/plugins *.ps1
 recursive-include requirements *.txt
+recursive-include requirements *.yml
 recursive-include config *
 recursive-include docs/licenses *
 recursive-exclude awx devonly.py*
diff --git a/Makefile b/Makefile
index f131fb82d9..dba1e0844b 100644
--- a/Makefile
+++ b/Makefile
@@ -209,7 +209,11 @@ requirements_awx: virtualenv_awx
 requirements_awx_dev:
 	$(VENV_BASE)/awx/bin/pip install -r requirements/requirements_dev.txt
 
-requirements: requirements_ansible requirements_awx
+requirements_collections:
+	mkdir -p $(COLLECTION_BASE)
+	ansible-galaxy collection install -r requirements/collections_requirements.yml -p $(COLLECTION_BASE)
+
+requirements: requirements_ansible requirements_awx requirements_collections
 
 requirements_dev: requirements_awx requirements_ansible_py3 requirements_awx_dev requirements_ansible_dev
 
diff --git a/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py b/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
index b7ddbecf43..9dad2c9a39 100644
--- a/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
+++ b/awx/main/management/commands/inventory_import.py
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ class AnsibleInventoryLoader(object):
             self.tmp_private_dir = build_proot_temp_dir()
             logger.debug("Using fresh temporary directory '{}' for isolation.".format(self.tmp_private_dir))
             kwargs['proot_temp_dir'] = self.tmp_private_dir
-            kwargs['proot_show_paths'] = [functioning_dir(self.source)]
+            kwargs['proot_show_paths'] = [functioning_dir(self.source), settings.INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT]
         logger.debug("Running from `{}` working directory.".format(cwd))
 
         if self.venv_path != settings.ANSIBLE_VENV_PATH:
diff --git a/awx/main/models/inventory.py b/awx/main/models/inventory.py
index 61fe38998b..b0e5e6700f 100644
--- a/awx/main/models/inventory.py
+++ b/awx/main/models/inventory.py
@@ -1612,6 +1612,11 @@ class PluginFileInjector(object):
     # base injector should be one of None, "managed", or "template"
     # this dictates which logic to borrow from playbook injectors
     base_injector = None
+    # every source should have collection, but these are set here
+    # so that a source without a collection will have null values
+    namespace = None
+    collection = None
+    collection_migration = '2.9'  # Starting with this version, we use collections
 
     def __init__(self, ansible_version):
         # This is InventoryOptions instance, could be source or inventory update
@@ -1638,7 +1643,11 @@ class PluginFileInjector(object):
         """
         if self.plugin_name is None:
             raise NotImplementedError('At minimum the plugin name is needed for inventory plugin use.')
-        return {'plugin': self.plugin_name}
+        if self.initial_version is None or Version(self.ansible_version) >= Version(self.collection_migration):
+            proper_name = f'{self.namespace}.{self.collection}.{self.plugin_name}'
+        else:
+            proper_name = self.plugin_name
+        return {'plugin': proper_name}
 
     def inventory_contents(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir):
         """Returns a string that is the content for the inventory file for the inventory plugin
@@ -1693,7 +1702,10 @@ class PluginFileInjector(object):
         return injected_env
 
     def get_plugin_env(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files):
-        return self._get_shared_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files)
+        env = self._get_shared_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files)
+        if self.initial_version is None or Version(self.ansible_version) >= Version(self.collection_migration):
+            env['ANSIBLE_COLLECTIONS_PATHS'] = settings.INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT
+        return env
 
     def get_script_env(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files):
         injected_env = self._get_shared_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files)
@@ -1738,6 +1750,8 @@ class azure_rm(PluginFileInjector):
     initial_version = '2.8'  # Driven by unsafe group names issue, hostvars, host names
     ini_env_reference = 'AZURE_INI_PATH'
     base_injector = 'managed'
+    namespace = 'azure'
+    collection = 'azcollection'
 
     def get_plugin_env(self, *args, **kwargs):
         ret = super(azure_rm, self).get_plugin_env(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -1869,9 +1883,11 @@ class azure_rm(PluginFileInjector):
 class ec2(PluginFileInjector):
     plugin_name = 'aws_ec2'
     # blocked by https://github.com/ansible/ansible/issues/54059
-    # initial_version = '2.8'  # Driven by unsafe group names issue, parent_group templating, hostvars
+    initial_version = '2.9'  # Driven by unsafe group names issue, parent_group templating, hostvars
     ini_env_reference = 'EC2_INI_PATH'
     base_injector = 'managed'
+    namespace = 'amazon'
+    collection = 'aws'
 
     def get_plugin_env(self, *args, **kwargs):
         ret = super(ec2, self).get_plugin_env(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -2011,6 +2027,9 @@ class ec2(PluginFileInjector):
                 grouping_data['key'] += ' | regex_replace("{rx}", "_")'.format(rx=legacy_regex)
         # end compatibility content
 
+        if source_vars.get('iam_role_arn', None):
+            ret['iam_role_arn'] = source_vars['iam_role_arn']
+
         # This was an allowed ec2.ini option, also plugin option, so pass through
         if source_vars.get('boto_profile', None):
             ret['boto_profile'] = source_vars['boto_profile']
@@ -2019,6 +2038,10 @@ class ec2(PluginFileInjector):
             # Using the plugin, but still want dashes whitelisted
             ret['use_contrib_script_compatible_sanitization'] = True
 
+        if source_vars.get('nested_groups') is False:
+            for this_keyed_group in keyed_groups:
+                this_keyed_group.pop('parent_group', None)
+
         if keyed_groups:
             ret['keyed_groups'] = keyed_groups
 
@@ -2030,18 +2053,35 @@ class ec2(PluginFileInjector):
         compose_dict.update(self._compat_compose_vars())
         # plugin provides "aws_ec2", but not this which the script gave
         ret['groups'] = {'ec2': True}
-        # public_ip as hostname is non-default plugin behavior, script behavior
-        ret['hostnames'] = [
-            'network-interface.addresses.association.public-ip',
-            'dns-name',
-            'private-dns-name'
-        ]
+        if source_vars.get('hostname_variable') is not None:
+            hnames = []
+            for expr in source_vars.get('hostname_variable').split(','):
+                if expr == 'public_dns_name':
+                    hnames.append('dns-name')
+                elif not expr.startswith('tag:') and '_' in expr:
+                    hnames.append(expr.replace('_', '-'))
+                else:
+                    hnames.append(expr)
+            ret['hostnames'] = hnames
+        else:
+            # public_ip as hostname is non-default plugin behavior, script behavior
+            ret['hostnames'] = [
+                'network-interface.addresses.association.public-ip',
+                'dns-name',
+                'private-dns-name'
+            ]
         # The script returned only running state by default, the plugin does not
         # https://docs.aws.amazon.com/cli/latest/reference/ec2/describe-instances.html#options
         # options: pending | running | shutting-down | terminated | stopping | stopped
         inst_filters['instance-state-name'] = ['running']
         # end compatibility content
 
+        if source_vars.get('destination_variable') or source_vars.get('vpc_destination_variable'):
+            for fd in ('destination_variable', 'vpc_destination_variable'):
+                if source_vars.get(fd):
+                    compose_dict['ansible_host'] = source_vars.get(fd)
+                    break
+
         if compose_dict:
             ret['compose'] = compose_dict
 
@@ -2108,6 +2148,8 @@ class gce(PluginFileInjector):
     initial_version = '2.8'  # Driven by unsafe group names issue, hostvars
     ini_env_reference = 'GCE_INI_PATH'
     base_injector = 'managed'
+    namespace = 'google'
+    collection = 'cloud'
 
     def get_plugin_env(self, *args, **kwargs):
         ret = super(gce, self).get_plugin_env(*args, **kwargs)
@@ -2208,14 +2250,112 @@ class gce(PluginFileInjector):
 
 
 class vmware(PluginFileInjector):
-    # plugin_name = 'vmware_vm_inventory'  # FIXME: implement me
+    plugin_name = 'vmware_vm_inventory'
+    # initial_version = '2.9'  # Ready 4/22/2020, waiting for release
     ini_env_reference = 'VMWARE_INI_PATH'
     base_injector = 'managed'
+    namespace = 'community'
+    collection = 'vmware'
 
     @property
     def script_name(self):
         return 'vmware_inventory.py'  # exception
 
+
+    def inventory_as_dict(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir):
+        ret = super(vmware, self).inventory_as_dict(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
+        ret['strict'] = False
+        # Documentation of props, see
+        # https://github.com/ansible/ansible/blob/devel/docs/docsite/rst/scenario_guides/vmware_scenarios/vmware_inventory_vm_attributes.rst
+        UPPERCASE_PROPS = [
+            "ansible_ssh_host",
+            "ansible_host",
+            "ansible_uuid",
+            "availableField",
+            "configIssue",
+            "configStatus",
+            "customValue",  # optional
+            "datastore",
+            "effectiveRole",
+            "guestHeartbeatStatus",  # optonal
+            "layout",  # optional
+            "layoutEx",  # optional
+            "name",
+            "network",
+            "overallStatus",
+            "parentVApp",  # optional
+            "permission",
+            "recentTask",
+            "resourcePool",
+            "rootSnapshot",
+            "snapshot",  # optional
+            "tag",
+            "triggeredAlarmState",
+            "value"
+        ]
+        NESTED_PROPS = [
+            "capability",
+            "config",
+            "guest",
+            "runtime",
+            "storage",
+            "summary",  # repeat of other properties
+        ]
+        ret['properties'] = UPPERCASE_PROPS + NESTED_PROPS
+        ret['compose'] = {'ansible_host': 'guest.ipAddress'}  # default value
+        ret['compose']['ansible_ssh_host'] = ret['compose']['ansible_host']
+        # the ansible_uuid was unique every host, every import, from the script
+        ret['compose']['ansible_uuid'] = '99999999 | random | to_uuid'
+        for prop in UPPERCASE_PROPS:
+            if prop == prop.lower():
+                continue
+            ret['compose'][prop.lower()] = prop
+        ret['with_nested_properties'] = True
+        # ret['property_name_format'] = 'lower_case'  # only dacrystal/topic/vmware-inventory-plugin-property-format
+
+        # process custom options
+        vmware_opts = dict(inventory_update.source_vars_dict.items())
+        if inventory_update.instance_filters:
+            vmware_opts.setdefault('host_filters', inventory_update.instance_filters)
+        if inventory_update.group_by:
+            vmware_opts.setdefault('groupby_patterns', inventory_update.group_by)
+
+        alias_pattern = vmware_opts.get('alias_pattern')
+        if alias_pattern:
+            ret.setdefault('hostnames', [])
+            for alias in alias_pattern.split(','):  # make best effort
+                striped_alias = alias.replace('{', '').replace('}', '').strip()  # make best effort
+                if not striped_alias:
+                    continue
+                ret['hostnames'].append(striped_alias)
+
+        host_pattern = vmware_opts.get('host_pattern')  # not working in script
+        if host_pattern:
+            stripped_hp = host_pattern.replace('{', '').replace('}', '').strip()  # make best effort
+            ret['compose']['ansible_host'] = stripped_hp
+            ret['compose']['ansible_ssh_host'] = stripped_hp
+
+        host_filters = vmware_opts.get('host_filters')
+        if host_filters:
+            ret.setdefault('filters', [])
+            for hf in host_filters.split(','):
+                striped_hf = hf.replace('{', '').replace('}', '').strip()  # make best effort
+                if not striped_hf:
+                    continue
+                ret['filters'].append(striped_hf)
+
+        groupby_patterns = vmware_opts.get('groupby_patterns')
+        if groupby_patterns:
+            ret.setdefault('keyed_groups', [])
+            for pattern in groupby_patterns.split(','):
+                stripped_pattern = pattern.replace('{', '').replace('}', '').strip()  # make best effort
+                ret['keyed_groups'].append({
+                    'prefix': '', 'separator': '',
+                    'key': stripped_pattern
+                })
+
+        return ret
+
     def build_script_private_data(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir):
         cp = configparser.RawConfigParser()
         credential = inventory_update.get_cloud_credential()
@@ -2246,6 +2386,8 @@ class openstack(PluginFileInjector):
     plugin_name = 'openstack'
     # minimum version of 2.7.8 may be theoretically possible
     initial_version = '2.8'  # Driven by consistency with other sources
+    namespace = 'openstack'
+    collection = 'cloud'
 
     @property
     def script_name(self):
@@ -2297,7 +2439,10 @@ class openstack(PluginFileInjector):
         return self.build_script_private_data(inventory_update, private_data_dir, mk_cache=False)
 
     def get_plugin_env(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files):
-        return self.get_script_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files)
+        env = super(openstack, self).get_plugin_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files)
+        script_env = self.get_script_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files)
+        env.update(script_env)
+        return env
 
     def inventory_as_dict(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir):
         def use_host_name_for_name(a_bool_maybe):
@@ -2309,12 +2454,10 @@ class openstack(PluginFileInjector):
             else:
                 return 'uuid'
 
-        ret = dict(
-            plugin=self.plugin_name,
-            fail_on_errors=True,
-            expand_hostvars=True,
-            inventory_hostname=use_host_name_for_name(False),
-        )
+        ret = super(openstack, self).inventory_as_dict(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
+        ret['fail_on_errors'] = True
+        ret['expand_hostvars'] = True
+        ret['inventory_hostname'] = use_host_name_for_name(False)
         # Note: mucking with defaults will break import integrity
         # For the plugin, we need to use the same defaults as the old script
         # or else imports will conflict. To find script defaults you have
@@ -2339,8 +2482,10 @@ class openstack(PluginFileInjector):
 class rhv(PluginFileInjector):
     """ovirt uses the custom credential templating, and that is all
     """
-    # plugin_name = 'FIXME'  # contribute inventory plugin to Ansible
+    plugin_name = 'ovirt'
     base_injector = 'template'
+    namespace = 'ovirt'
+    collection = 'ovirt_collection'
 
     @property
     def script_name(self):
@@ -2350,8 +2495,10 @@ class rhv(PluginFileInjector):
 class satellite6(PluginFileInjector):
     plugin_name = 'foreman'
     ini_env_reference = 'FOREMAN_INI_PATH'
-    # initial_version = '2.8'  # FIXME: turn on after plugin is validated
+    initial_version = '2.9'
     # No base injector, because this does not work in playbooks. Bug??
+    namespace = 'theforeman'
+    collection = 'foreman'
 
     @property
     def script_name(self):
@@ -2413,18 +2560,51 @@ class satellite6(PluginFileInjector):
         # this assumes that this is merged
         # https://github.com/ansible/ansible/pull/52693
         credential = inventory_update.get_cloud_credential()
-        ret = {}
+        ret = super(satellite6, self).get_plugin_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files)
         if credential:
             ret['FOREMAN_SERVER'] = credential.get_input('host', default='')
             ret['FOREMAN_USER'] = credential.get_input('username', default='')
             ret['FOREMAN_PASSWORD'] = credential.get_input('password', default='')
         return ret
 
+    def inventory_as_dict(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir):
+        ret = super(satellite6, self).inventory_as_dict(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
+
+        # Compatibility content
+        group_by_hostvar = {
+            "environment":           {"prefix": "foreman_environment_",
+                                      "separator": "",
+                                      "key": "foreman['environment_name'] | lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | "
+                                             "regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_') | regex_replace('none', '')"},  # NOQA: W605
+            "location":              {"prefix": "foreman_location_",
+                                      "separator": "",
+                                      "key": "foreman['location_name'] | lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_')"},
+            "organization":          {"prefix": "foreman_organization_",
+                                      "separator": "",
+                                      "key": "foreman['organization_name'] | lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_')"},
+            "lifecycle_environment": {"prefix": "foreman_lifecycle_environment_",
+                                      "separator": "",
+                                      "key": "foreman['content_facet_attributes']['lifecycle_environment_name'] | "
+                                             "lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_')"},
+            "content_view":          {"prefix": "foreman_content_view_",
+                                      "separator": "",
+                                      "key": "foreman['content_facet_attributes']['content_view_name'] | "
+                                             "lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_')"}
+            }
+        ret['keyed_groups'] = [group_by_hostvar[grouping_name] for grouping_name in group_by_hostvar]
+        ret['legacy_hostvars'] = True
+        ret['want_facts'] = True
+        ret['want_params'] = True
+
+        return ret
+
 
 class cloudforms(PluginFileInjector):
     # plugin_name = 'FIXME'  # contribute inventory plugin to Ansible
     ini_env_reference = 'CLOUDFORMS_INI_PATH'
     # Also no base_injector because this does not work in playbooks
+    # namespace = ''  # does not have a collection
+    # collection = ''
 
     def build_script_private_data(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir):
         cp = configparser.RawConfigParser()
@@ -2460,6 +2640,8 @@ class tower(PluginFileInjector):
     plugin_name = 'tower'
     base_injector = 'template'
     initial_version = '2.8'  # Driven by "include_metadata" hostvars
+    namespace = 'awx'
+    collection = 'awx'
 
     def get_script_env(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files):
         env = super(tower, self).get_script_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, private_data_files)
@@ -2468,6 +2650,7 @@ class tower(PluginFileInjector):
         return env
 
     def inventory_as_dict(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir):
+        ret = super(tower, self).inventory_as_dict(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
         # Credentials injected as env vars, same as script
         try:
             # plugin can take an actual int type
@@ -2475,11 +2658,9 @@ class tower(PluginFileInjector):
         except ValueError:
             # inventory_id could be a named URL
             identifier = iri_to_uri(inventory_update.instance_filters)
-        return {
-            'plugin': self.plugin_name,
-            'inventory_id': identifier,
-            'include_metadata': True  # used for license check
-        }
+        ret['inventory_id'] = identifier
+        ret['include_metadata'] = True  # used for license check
+        return ret
 
 
 for cls in PluginFileInjector.__subclasses__():
diff --git a/awx/main/tasks.py b/awx/main/tasks.py
index 95118c5751..dd27a7d849 100644
--- a/awx/main/tasks.py
+++ b/awx/main/tasks.py
@@ -2407,7 +2407,7 @@ class RunInventoryUpdate(BaseTask):
 
     @property
     def proot_show_paths(self):
-        return [self.get_path_to('..', 'plugins', 'inventory')]
+        return [self.get_path_to('..', 'plugins', 'inventory'), settings.INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT]
 
     def build_private_data(self, inventory_update, private_data_dir):
         """
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/azure_rm/files/azure_rm.yml b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/azure_rm/files/azure_rm.yml
index 4479e79058..8d6c1dbfa7 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/azure_rm/files/azure_rm.yml
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/azure_rm/files/azure_rm.yml
@@ -39,5 +39,5 @@ keyed_groups:
   prefix: ''
   separator: ''
 plain_host_names: true
-plugin: azure_rm
+plugin: azure.azcollection.azure_rm
 use_contrib_script_compatible_sanitization: true
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/ec2/files/aws_ec2.yml b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/ec2/files/aws_ec2.yml
index b228770d36..8984d4cb56 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/ec2/files/aws_ec2.yml
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/ec2/files/aws_ec2.yml
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 boto_profile: /tmp/my_boto_stuff
 compose:
-  ansible_host: public_ip_address
+  ansible_host: public_dns_name
   ec2_account_id: owner_id
   ec2_ami_launch_index: ami_launch_index | string
   ec2_architecture: architecture
@@ -50,9 +50,8 @@ filters:
 groups:
   ec2: true
 hostnames:
-- network-interface.addresses.association.public-ip
 - dns-name
-- private-dns-name
+iam_role_arn: arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/test-role
 keyed_groups:
 - key: placement.availability_zone
   parent_group: zones
@@ -75,7 +74,7 @@ keyed_groups:
   parent_group: '{{ placement.region }}'
   prefix: ''
   separator: ''
-plugin: aws_ec2
+plugin: amazon.aws.aws_ec2
 regions:
 - us-east-2
 - ap-south-1
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/gce/files/gcp_compute.yml b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/gce/files/gcp_compute.yml
index 9f1ea11c36..63f8a44f64 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/gce/files/gcp_compute.yml
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/gce/files/gcp_compute.yml
@@ -40,7 +40,7 @@ keyed_groups:
 - key: image
   prefix: ''
   separator: ''
-plugin: gcp_compute
+plugin: google.cloud.gcp_compute
 projects:
 - fooo
 retrieve_image_info: true
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/openstack/files/openstack.yml b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/openstack/files/openstack.yml
index c2b6ee58f3..36e9024b54 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/openstack/files/openstack.yml
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/openstack/files/openstack.yml
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
 expand_hostvars: true
 fail_on_errors: true
 inventory_hostname: uuid
-plugin: openstack
+plugin: openstack.cloud.openstack
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/rhv/env.json b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/rhv/env.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..08477df169
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/rhv/env.json
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+{
+    "ANSIBLE_TRANSFORM_INVALID_GROUP_CHARS": "never",
+    "OVIRT_INI_PATH": "{{ file_reference }}",
+    "OVIRT_PASSWORD": "fooo",
+    "OVIRT_URL": "https://foo.invalid",
+    "OVIRT_USERNAME": "fooo"
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/rhv/files/file_reference b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/rhv/files/file_reference
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..06c2180789
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/rhv/files/file_reference
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+[ovirt]
+ovirt_url=https://foo.invalid
+ovirt_username=fooo
+ovirt_password=fooo
+ovirt_ca_file=fooo
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/rhv/files/ovirt.yml b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/rhv/files/ovirt.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..a2aacf5656
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/rhv/files/ovirt.yml
@@ -0,0 +1 @@
+plugin: ovirt.ovirt_collection.ovirt
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/satellite6/files/foreman.yml b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/satellite6/files/foreman.yml
index 7528dbc9e9..20d868137a 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/satellite6/files/foreman.yml
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/satellite6/files/foreman.yml
@@ -1 +1,20 @@
-plugin: foreman
+keyed_groups:
+- key: foreman['environment_name'] | lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_') | regex_replace('none', '')
+  prefix: foreman_environment_
+  separator: ''
+- key: foreman['location_name'] | lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_')
+  prefix: foreman_location_
+  separator: ''
+- key: foreman['organization_name'] | lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_')
+  prefix: foreman_organization_
+  separator: ''
+- key: foreman['content_facet_attributes']['lifecycle_environment_name'] | lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_')
+  prefix: foreman_lifecycle_environment_
+  separator: ''
+- key: foreman['content_facet_attributes']['content_view_name'] | lower | regex_replace(' ', '') | regex_replace('[^A-Za-z0-9\_]', '_')
+  prefix: foreman_content_view_
+  separator: ''
+legacy_hostvars: true
+plugin: theforeman.foreman.foreman
+want_facts: true
+want_params: true
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/tower/files/tower.yml b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/tower/files/tower.yml
index d8d0efdc9a..2c41f1b55d 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/tower/files/tower.yml
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/tower/files/tower.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,3 @@
 include_metadata: true
 inventory_id: 42
-plugin: tower
+plugin: awx.awx.tower
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/vmware/env.json b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/vmware/env.json
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..97563377c0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/vmware/env.json
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+{
+    "ANSIBLE_TRANSFORM_INVALID_GROUP_CHARS": "never",
+    "VMWARE_HOST": "https://foo.invalid",
+    "VMWARE_PASSWORD": "fooo",
+    "VMWARE_USER": "fooo",
+    "VMWARE_VALIDATE_CERTS": "False"
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/vmware/files/vmware_vm_inventory.yml b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/vmware/files/vmware_vm_inventory.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..6363d6c26b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/plugins/vmware/files/vmware_vm_inventory.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+compose:
+  ansible_host: guest.ipAddress
+  ansible_ssh_host: guest.ipAddress
+  ansible_uuid: 99999999 | random | to_uuid
+  availablefield: availableField
+  configissue: configIssue
+  configstatus: configStatus
+  customvalue: customValue
+  effectiverole: effectiveRole
+  guestheartbeatstatus: guestHeartbeatStatus
+  layoutex: layoutEx
+  overallstatus: overallStatus
+  parentvapp: parentVApp
+  recenttask: recentTask
+  resourcepool: resourcePool
+  rootsnapshot: rootSnapshot
+  triggeredalarmstate: triggeredAlarmState
+filters:
+- config.zoo == "DC0_H0_VM0"
+hostnames:
+- config.foo
+keyed_groups:
+- key: config.asdf
+  prefix: ''
+  separator: ''
+plugin: community.vmware.vmware_vm_inventory
+properties:
+- ansible_ssh_host
+- ansible_host
+- ansible_uuid
+- availableField
+- configIssue
+- configStatus
+- customValue
+- datastore
+- effectiveRole
+- guestHeartbeatStatus
+- layout
+- layoutEx
+- name
+- network
+- overallStatus
+- parentVApp
+- permission
+- recentTask
+- resourcePool
+- rootSnapshot
+- snapshot
+- tag
+- triggeredAlarmState
+- value
+- capability
+- config
+- guest
+- runtime
+- storage
+- summary
+strict: false
+with_nested_properties: true
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/scripts/ec2/files/file_reference b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/scripts/ec2/files/file_reference
index aef5c1441c..4ffb85656f 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/scripts/ec2/files/file_reference
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/scripts/ec2/files/file_reference
@@ -1,9 +1,11 @@
 [ec2]
 base_source_var = value_of_var
 boto_profile = /tmp/my_boto_stuff
+iam_role_arn = arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/test-role
+hostname_variable = public_dns_name
+destination_variable = public_dns_name
 regions = us-east-2,ap-south-1
 regions_exclude = us-gov-west-1,cn-north-1
-destination_variable = public_dns_name
 vpc_destination_variable = ip_address
 route53 = False
 all_instances = True
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/scripts/vmware/files/file_reference b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/scripts/vmware/files/file_reference
index 8a4d8a7700..56b3c1c920 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/scripts/vmware/files/file_reference
+++ b/awx/main/tests/data/inventory/scripts/vmware/files/file_reference
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ username = fooo
 password = fooo
 server = https://foo.invalid
 base_source_var = value_of_var
-host_filters = foobaa
-groupby_patterns = fouo
+alias_pattern = {{ config.foo }}
+host_filters = {{ config.zoo == "DC0_H0_VM0" }}
+groupby_patterns = {{ config.asdf }}
 
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/functional/test_inventory_source_injectors.py b/awx/main/tests/functional/test_inventory_source_injectors.py
index 656c9a1511..c3c70d0c4a 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/functional/test_inventory_source_injectors.py
+++ b/awx/main/tests/functional/test_inventory_source_injectors.py
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@ DATA = os.path.join(os.path.dirname(data.__file__), 'inventory')
 
 TEST_SOURCE_FIELDS = {
     'vmware': {
-        'instance_filters': 'foobaa',
+        'instance_filters': '{{ config.name == "only_my_server" }},{{ somevar == "bar"}}',
         'group_by': 'fouo'
     },
     'ec2': {
@@ -38,7 +38,10 @@ TEST_SOURCE_FIELDS = {
 
 INI_TEST_VARS = {
     'ec2': {
-        'boto_profile': '/tmp/my_boto_stuff'
+        'boto_profile': '/tmp/my_boto_stuff',
+        'iam_role_arn': 'arn:aws:iam::123456789012:role/test-role',
+        'hostname_variable': 'public_dns_name',
+        'destination_variable': 'public_dns_name'
     },
     'gce': {},
     'openstack': {
@@ -50,6 +53,9 @@ INI_TEST_VARS = {
     'rhv': {},  # there are none
     'tower': {},  # there are none
     'vmware': {
+        'alias_pattern': "{{ config.foo }}",
+        'host_filters': '{{ config.zoo == "DC0_H0_VM0" }}',
+        'groupby_patterns': "{{ config.asdf }}",
         # setting VMWARE_VALIDATE_CERTS is duplicated with env var
     },
     'azure_rm': {
@@ -315,9 +321,10 @@ def test_inventory_update_injected_content(this_kind, script_or_plugin, inventor
         with mock.patch('awx.main.models.inventory.PluginFileInjector.should_use_plugin', return_value=use_plugin):
             # Also do not send websocket status updates
             with mock.patch.object(UnifiedJob, 'websocket_emit_status', mock.Mock()):
-                # The point of this test is that we replace run with assertions
-                with mock.patch('awx.main.tasks.ansible_runner.interface.run', substitute_run):
-                    # mocking the licenser is necessary for the tower source
-                    with mock.patch('awx.main.models.inventory.get_licenser', mock_licenser):
-                        # so this sets up everything for a run and then yields control over to substitute_run
-                        task.run(inventory_update.pk)
+                with mock.patch.object(task, 'get_ansible_version', return_value='2.13'):
+                    # The point of this test is that we replace run with assertions
+                    with mock.patch('awx.main.tasks.ansible_runner.interface.run', substitute_run):
+                        # mocking the licenser is necessary for the tower source
+                        with mock.patch('awx.main.models.inventory.get_licenser', mock_licenser):
+                            # so this sets up everything for a run and then yields control over to substitute_run
+                            task.run(inventory_update.pk)
diff --git a/awx/main/tests/unit/test_tasks.py b/awx/main/tests/unit/test_tasks.py
index 78852cbbf2..e7e208d9a3 100644
--- a/awx/main/tests/unit/test_tasks.py
+++ b/awx/main/tests/unit/test_tasks.py
@@ -1807,8 +1807,9 @@ class TestInventoryUpdateCredentials(TestJobExecution):
         inventory_update.get_cloud_credential = mocker.Mock(return_value=None)
         inventory_update.get_extra_credentials = mocker.Mock(return_value=[])
 
-        private_data_files = task.build_private_data_files(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
-        env = task.build_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, False, private_data_files)
+        with mocker.patch('awx.main.tasks._get_ansible_version', mocker.MagicMock(return_value='2.7')):
+            private_data_files = task.build_private_data_files(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
+            env = task.build_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, False, private_data_files)
 
         assert 'AWS_ACCESS_KEY_ID' not in env
         assert 'AWS_SECRET_ACCESS_KEY' not in env
@@ -1915,8 +1916,9 @@ class TestInventoryUpdateCredentials(TestJobExecution):
         inventory_update.get_cloud_credential = get_cred
         inventory_update.get_extra_credentials = mocker.Mock(return_value=[])
 
-        private_data_files = task.build_private_data_files(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
-        env = task.build_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, False, private_data_files)
+        with mocker.patch('awx.main.tasks._get_ansible_version', mocker.MagicMock(return_value='2.7')):
+            private_data_files = task.build_private_data_files(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
+            env = task.build_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, False, private_data_files)
 
         safe_env = {}
         credentials = task.build_credentials_list(inventory_update)
@@ -2153,8 +2155,9 @@ class TestInventoryUpdateCredentials(TestJobExecution):
             'satellite6_want_facts': False
         }
 
-        private_data_files = task.build_private_data_files(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
-        env = task.build_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, False, private_data_files)
+        with mocker.patch('awx.main.tasks._get_ansible_version', mocker.MagicMock(return_value='2.7')):
+            private_data_files = task.build_private_data_files(inventory_update, private_data_dir)
+            env = task.build_env(inventory_update, private_data_dir, False, private_data_files)
 
         config = configparser.ConfigParser()
         config.read(env['FOREMAN_INI_PATH'])
diff --git a/awx/settings/defaults.py b/awx/settings/defaults.py
index 7280866d6d..ea0505208b 100644
--- a/awx/settings/defaults.py
+++ b/awx/settings/defaults.py
@@ -120,6 +120,10 @@ LOGIN_URL = '/api/login/'
 # This directory should not be web-accessible.
 PROJECTS_ROOT = os.path.join(BASE_DIR, 'projects')
 
+# Absolute filesystem path to the directory to host collections for
+# running inventory imports
+INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT = os.path.join(BASE_DIR, 'vendor', 'inventory_collections')
+
 # Absolute filesystem path to the directory for job status stdout (default for
 # development and tests, default for production defined in production.py). This
 # directory should not be web-accessible
diff --git a/awx/settings/local_settings.py.docker_compose b/awx/settings/local_settings.py.docker_compose
index 776b17a5de..301b7a9dfe 100644
--- a/awx/settings/local_settings.py.docker_compose
+++ b/awx/settings/local_settings.py.docker_compose
@@ -52,6 +52,9 @@ if "pytest" in sys.modules:
 # This directory should NOT be web-accessible.
 PROJECTS_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/projects/'
 
+# Location for cross-development of inventory plugins
+# INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT = '/awx_devel/awx/plugins/collections'
+
 # Absolute filesystem path to the directory for job status stdout
 # This directory should not be web-accessible
 JOBOUTPUT_ROOT = os.path.join(BASE_DIR, 'job_status')
diff --git a/docs/inventory/inventory_plugins.md b/docs/inventory/inventory_plugins.md
index 00a763b361..01bf66fea6 100644
--- a/docs/inventory/inventory_plugins.md
+++ b/docs/inventory/inventory_plugins.md
@@ -1,8 +1,12 @@
 # Transition to Ansible Inventory Plugins
 
-Inventory updates have changed from using scripts, which are vendored as executable Python scripts, to using dynamically-generated YAML files which conform to the specifications of the `auto` inventory plugin.  These are then parsed by their respective inventory plugin.
+Inventory updates have changed from using deprecated inventory scripts, to using dynamically-generated YAML files which are parsed by their respective inventory plugin.
 
-The major organizational change is that the inventory plugins are part of the Ansible core distribution, whereas the same logic used to be a part of AWX source.
+In Ansible 2.8, the inventory plugins which are part of the Ansible core distribution were used.
+This only applied to a few select sources.
+
+In all other circumstances, inventory imports make use of the inventory plugin from vendored collections.
+Those collections are downloaded from Ansible Galaxy at the time of packaging building the container image.
 
 
 ## Prior Background for Transition
@@ -14,11 +18,10 @@ AWX used to maintain logic that parsed `.ini` inventory file contents, in additi
 
 The CLI entry point `ansible-inventory` was introduced in Ansible 2.4. In Tower 3.2, inventory imports began running this command as an intermediary between the inventory and the import's logic to save content to the database. Using `ansible-inventory` eliminates the need to maintain source-specific logic, relying on Ansible's code instead. This also enables consistent data structure output from `ansible-inventory`. There are many valid structures that a script can provide, but the output from `ansible-inventory` will always be the same, thus the AWX logic to parse the content is simplified. This is why even scripts must be ran through the `ansible-inventory` CLI.
 
-Along with this switchover, a backported version of `ansible-inventory` was provided, which supports Ansible versions 2.2 and 2.3.
-
 
 ### Removal of Backport
 
+Along with the `ansible-inventory` switchover, a backported version of `ansible-inventory` was provided, which supported Ansible versions 2.2 and 2.3.
 In AWX 3.0.0 (and Tower 3.5), the backport of `ansible-inventory` was removed, and support for using custom virtual environments was added. This set the minimum version of Ansible necessary to run _any_ inventory update to 2.4.
 
 
@@ -30,9 +33,21 @@ In AWX 4.0.0 (and Tower 3.5) inventory source types start to switch over to plug
 
 To see in which version the plugin transition will happen, see `awx/main/models/inventory.py` and look for the source name as a subclass of `PluginFileInjector`, and there should be an `initial_version`, which is the first version that was deemed (via testing) to have sufficient parity in the content for its inventory plugin returns. For example, `openstack` will begin using the inventory plugin in Ansible version 2.8. If you run an OpenStack inventory update with Ansible 2.7.x or lower, it will use the script.
 
-The eventual goal is for all source types to have moved to plugins. For any given source, after the `initial_version` for plugin use is higher than the lowest supported Ansible version, the script can be removed and the logic for script credential injection will also be removed.
+At some point, scripts will be removed and the script-related (for credentials and configuration) logic will also be removed.
 
-For example, after AWX no longer supports Ansible 2.7, the script `awx/plugins/openstack_inventory.py` will be removed.
+
+### Management of Collections
+
+Collections are used for inventory imports starting in Ansible 2.9, and each collection has its own versioning independently from Ansible.
+Versions for those collections are set in the requirements file `requirements/collections_requirements.yml`.
+
+The location of vendored collections is set by the file-only setting `INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT`.
+For development purposes, this can be changed so that you can test against development versions of those collections.
+Instructions for doing this are in `tools/collections`.
+
+If, for some reason, you need to change the version of a particular collection used in inventory imports,
+you can use the `ansible-galaxy` tool to update the collection inside of the `INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT`.
+Note that the logic for building the inventory file is written and tested only for the version pinned in the requirements file.
 
 
 ## Changes to Expect in Imports
@@ -54,11 +69,6 @@ More `hostvars` will appear if the inventory plugins are used. To maintain backw
 A small number of `hostvars` will be lost because of general deprecation needs.
 
 
-#### Host Names
-
-In many cases, the host names will change. In all cases, accurate host tracking will still be maintained via the host `instance_id`.
-
-
 ## Writing Your Own Inventory File
 
 If you do not want any of this compatibility-related functionality, then you can add an SCM inventory source that points to your own file. You can also apply a credential of a `managed_by_tower` type to that inventory source that matches the credential you are using, as long as it is not `gce` or `openstack`.
diff --git a/installer/roles/image_build/files/settings.py b/installer/roles/image_build/files/settings.py
index 1a178302fb..5bdb3a549a 100644
--- a/installer/roles/image_build/files/settings.py
+++ b/installer/roles/image_build/files/settings.py
@@ -14,6 +14,8 @@ STATIC_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/public/static'
 
 PROJECTS_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/projects'
 
+INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/vendor/inventory_collections'
+
 JOBOUTPUT_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/job_status'
 
 SECRET_KEY = get_secret()
diff --git a/installer/roles/image_build/templates/Dockerfile.j2 b/installer/roles/image_build/templates/Dockerfile.j2
index 3ec1d91f55..b9b5d5e4fd 100644
--- a/installer/roles/image_build/templates/Dockerfile.j2
+++ b/installer/roles/image_build/templates/Dockerfile.j2
@@ -74,8 +74,10 @@ ADD requirements/requirements_ansible.txt \
     requirements/requirements.txt \
     requirements/requirements_tower_uninstall.txt \
     requirements/requirements_git.txt \
+    requirements/collections_requirements.yml \
     /tmp/requirements/
 RUN cd /tmp && VENV_BASE="/var/lib/awx/venv" make requirements_awx requirements_ansible_py3
+RUN cd /tmp && COLLECTION_BASE="/var/lib/awx/vendor/inventory_collections" make requirements_collections
 
 COPY {{ awx_sdist_file }} /tmp/{{ awx_sdist_file }}
 RUN echo "{{ awx_version }}" > /var/lib/awx/.tower_version && \
diff --git a/installer/roles/kubernetes/templates/configmap.yml.j2 b/installer/roles/kubernetes/templates/configmap.yml.j2
index 30b0e3397b..65ff2e0ef9 100644
--- a/installer/roles/kubernetes/templates/configmap.yml.j2
+++ b/installer/roles/kubernetes/templates/configmap.yml.j2
@@ -153,6 +153,7 @@ data:
 
     STATIC_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/public/static'
     PROJECTS_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/projects'
+    INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/vendor/inventory_collections'
     JOBOUTPUT_ROOT = '/var/lib/awx/job_status'
     SECRET_KEY = open('/etc/tower/SECRET_KEY', 'rb').read().strip()
     ALLOWED_HOSTS = ['*']
diff --git a/requirements/collections_requirements.yml b/requirements/collections_requirements.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..cec16c491f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/requirements/collections_requirements.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,18 @@
+---
+collections:
+  - name: awx.awx
+    version: 9.3.0
+  - name: azure.azcollection
+    version: 0.1.1  # questionable https://github.com/ansible-collections/azure/issues/55
+  - name: amazon.aws
+    version: 0.1.1  # version 0.1.0 seems to have gone missing
+  - name: theforeman.foreman
+    version: 0.7.0  # contains the inventory plugin, but more patches are needed
+  - name: google.cloud
+    version: 0.0.9  # contains PR 167, should be good to go
+  - name: openstack.cloud
+    version: 0.0.1-dev85  # earlier had checksum mismatch
+  - name: community.vmware
+    version: 0.3.1-dev1
+  - name: ovirt.ovirt_collection
+    version: 1.0.1  # new fix published, should be good to go
diff --git a/tools/collections/README.md b/tools/collections/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..932a846014
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/collections/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+### Inventory Updates Cross-Development with Collections
+
+Inventory updates in production use vendored collections baked into the image,
+which are downloaded from Ansible Galaxy in the build steps.
+
+This gives instructions to short-circuit that process for a faster development process.
+
+Running this script will do a `git clone` for all the relevant collections
+into the folder `awx/plugins/collections`.
+
+```
+source tools/collections/clone_vendor.sh
+```
+
+After this is completed, you must change the path where the server looks
+for the vendored inventory collections.
+Add this line to your local settings:
+
+```
+INVENTORY_COLLECTIONS_ROOT = '/awx_devel/awx/plugins/collections'
+```
+
+Then when you run an inventory update of a particular type, it should
+use the cloned collection.
+This allows you to cd into a particular collection, add remotes,
+change branches, etc.
+
+#### Extra Build Steps
+
+This will not work correctly in all circumstances.
+Some collections make changes at build-time.
+
+In particular, the foreman inventory plugin needs the NAME attribute changed to
+the fully-qualified collection name, and will fail if this is not done.
diff --git a/tools/collections/clone_vendor.sh b/tools/collections/clone_vendor.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..06f6e19956
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tools/collections/clone_vendor.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+base_dir=awx/plugins/collections/ansible_collections
+
+if [ ! -d "$base_dir/azure/azcollection" ]
+then
+	mkdir -p $base_dir/azure
+	git clone https://github.com/ansible-collections/azure.git $base_dir/azure/azcollection
+else
+  echo "Azure collection already exists"
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d "$base_dir/ansible/amazon" ]
+then
+	mkdir -p $base_dir/ansible
+	git clone https://github.com/ansible-collections/ansible.amazon.git $base_dir/ansible/amazon
+else
+  echo "Amazon collection already exists"
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d "$base_dir/theforeman/foreman" ]
+then
+	mkdir -p $base_dir/theforeman
+	git clone https://github.com/theforeman/foreman-ansible-modules.git $base_dir/theforeman/foreman
+else
+  echo "foreman collection already exists"
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d "$base_dir/google/cloud" ]
+then
+	mkdir -p $base_dir/google
+	git clone https://github.com/ansible-collections/ansible_collections_google.git $base_dir/google/cloud
+else
+  echo "google collection already exists"
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d "$base_dir/openstack/cloud" ]
+then
+	mkdir -p $base_dir/openstack
+	git clone https://github.com/openstack/ansible-collections-openstack.git $base_dir/openstack/cloud
+else
+  echo "openstack collection already exists"
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d "$base_dir/community/vmware" ]
+then
+	mkdir -p $base_dir/community
+	git clone https://github.com/ansible-collections/vmware.git $base_dir/community/vmware
+else
+  echo "VMWare collection already exists"
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d "$base_dir/ovirt/ovirt_collection" ]
+then
+	mkdir -p $base_dir/ovirt
+	git clone  $base_dir/ovirt/ovirt_collection
+else
+  echo "Ovirt collection already exists"
+fi
+
+if [ ! -d "$base_dir/awx/awx" ]
+then
+	mkdir -p $base_dir/awx
+  ln -s $(shell pwd)/awx_collection $base_dir/awx/awx
+	git clone  $base_dir/awx/awx
+else
+  echo "awx collection already exists"
+fi
+
+echo "-- confirmation of what is installed --"
+ANSIBLE_COLLECTIONS_PATHS=awx/plugins/collections ansible-galaxy collection list
diff --git a/tools/docker-compose/Dockerfile b/tools/docker-compose/Dockerfile
index 4611247231..1f8b290e64 100644
--- a/tools/docker-compose/Dockerfile
+++ b/tools/docker-compose/Dockerfile
@@ -92,9 +92,12 @@ ADD requirements/requirements.txt \
     requirements/requirements_dev.txt \
     requirements/requirements_ansible_uninstall.txt \
     requirements/requirements_tower_uninstall.txt \
+    requirements/collections_requirements.yml \
     /tmp/requirements/
 RUN mkdir -p /venv && chmod g+w /venv
 RUN cd /tmp && VENV_BASE="/venv" make requirements_dev
+RUN mkdir -p /vendor/inventory_collections && chmod g+w /vendor/inventory_collections
+RUN cd /tmp && COLLECTION_BASE="/vendor/inventory_collections" make requirements_collections
 
 # Use the distro provided npm to bootstrap our required version of node
 RUN npm install -g n && n 10.15.0 && dnf remove -y nodejs