Major Automated Information System (MAIS)

A Major Automated Information System (MAIS) is a defense acquisition program for an Automated Information System (AIS) that meets Acquisition Category (ACAT) IA requirements listed below. An AIS is a system of computer hardware, computer software, data, and/or telecommunications that performs functions such as collecting, processing, storing, transmitting, and displaying information.

A MAIS is determined for an acquisition program for an Automated Information System (either as a product or a service) that is either:

Designated by the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) as a MAIS; or
Estimated to exceed:

Acquisition Category	Reason for ACAT Designation	Decision Authority
ACAT IA^1,2	MAIS (10 U.S.C. 2445a (Reference(n))): A DoD acquisition program for an Automated Information System⁴ (AIS) (either as a product or a service⁵) that is either: Designated by the MDA as a MAIS program; or Estimated to exceed:  $40 million in FY 2014 constant dollars for all expenditures, for all increments, regardless of the appropriation or fund source, directly related to the AIS definition, design, development, and deployment, and incurred in any single fiscal year; or  $165 million in FY 2014 constant dollars for all expenditures, for all increments, regardless of the appropriation or fund source, directly related to the AIS definition, design, development, and deployment, and incurred from the beginning of the Materiel Solution Analysis Phase through deployment at all sites; or  $520 million in FY 2014 constant dollars for all expenditures, for all increments, regardless of the appropriation or fund source, directly related to the AIS definition, design, development, deployment, operations and maintenance, and incurred from the beginning of the Materiel Solution Analysis Phase through sustainment for the estimated useful life of the system.  MDA designation as special interest¹	ACAT IAM: DAE or as delegated ACAT IAC: Head of the DoD Component or, if delegated, the CAE (not further delegable)
The Special Interest designation is typically based on one or more of the following factors: technological complexity; congressional interest; a large commitment of resources; or the program is critical to the achievement of a capability or set of capabilities, part of a system of systems, or a joint program. Programs that already meet the MDAP and MAIS thresholds cannot be designated as Special Interest. When a MAIS program also meets the definition of an MDAP, the DAE will be the MDA unless delegated to a DoD Component or other official. The DAE will designate the program as either a MAIS or an MDAP, and the Program Manager will manage the program consistent with the designation.

Acquisition Category

Reason for ACAT Designation

Decision Authority

ACAT IA^1,2

MAIS (10 U.S.C. 2445a (Reference(n))): A DoD acquisition program for an Automated Information System⁴ (AIS) (either as a product or a service⁵) that is either:

Designated by the MDA as a MAIS program; or
Estimated to exceed: 
- $40 million in FY 2014 constant dollars for all expenditures, for all increments, regardless of the appropriation or fund source, directly related to the AIS definition, design, development, and deployment, and incurred in any single fiscal year; or 
- $165 million in FY 2014 constant dollars for all expenditures, for all increments, regardless of the appropriation or fund source, directly related to the AIS definition, design, development, and deployment, and incurred from the beginning of the Materiel Solution Analysis Phase through deployment at all sites; or 
- $520 million in FY 2014 constant dollars for all expenditures, for all increments, regardless of the appropriation or fund source, directly related to the AIS definition, design, development, deployment, operations and maintenance, and incurred from the beginning of the Materiel Solution Analysis Phase through sustainment for the estimated useful life of the system. 

MDA designation as special interest¹

ACAT IAM: DAE or as delegated

ACAT IAC: Head of the DoD Component or, if delegated, the CAE (not further delegable)

The Special Interest designation is typically based on one or more of the following factors: technological complexity; congressional interest; a large commitment of resources; or the program is critical to the achievement of a capability or set of capabilities, part of a system of systems, or a joint program. Programs that already meet the MDAP and MAIS thresholds cannot be designated as Special Interest.
When a MAIS program also meets the definition of an MDAP, the DAE will be the MDA unless delegated to a DoD Component or other official. The DAE will designate the program as either a MAIS or an MDAP, and the Program Manager will manage the program consistent with the designation.

Major Automated Information System (MAIS) ACAT IA Sub-Categories

ACAT IAM for which the MDA is the USD(AT&L). The USD(AT&L) may delegate MDA authority to the DoD CIO, or other designees. The “M” (in ACAT IAM) refers to MAIS.
ACAT IAC which the MDA (USD(AT&L), DoD CIO, or another designee) has delegated to the head of the DoD component or if delegated, the CAE. The “C” (in ACAT IAC) refers to the component.

Sub-Category Designation

USD(AT&L) is responsible for designating programs as ACAT IAM or ACAT IAC.

Economic Analysis (EA)

An Economic Analysis is normally associated with MAIS acquisition programs. DoD Instruction 5000.02, Enclosure 4, Table 2-1, requires that an Economic Analysis be performed in support of the Milestone A, Milestone B, and Full-Rate Production Decision (FRPD) (or equivalent) reviews for MAIS. The purpose of the EA is to determine the best AIS program acquisition alternative, by assessing the net costs and benefits of the proposed AIS program relative to the status quo. In general, the best alternative will be the one that meets validated capability needs at the lowest Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) (measured in net present value terms), and/or provides the most favorable return on investment. [1]

Program Authority

For a MAIS program, consultation with the office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration (OASD(NII)), Office of Deputy to the ASD(NII) for Command, Control, Communications, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, and Information Technology Acquisition is recommended, unless the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition & Sustainment [A&S] ) has retained authority for the program. [1]

Defense Business System (DBS)

The DoD Components are required to establish or employ decision bodies with similar responsibilities for Defense Business System (DBS) that do not meet the MAIS threshold.

AcqLinks and References:

Updated: 7/19/2021

Rank: G1

Acquisition Process