The Development RFP Release Decision is the point in a program at which planning for development is complete and a decision can be made to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for development to the industry. It’s the point at which plans for the program must be most carefully reviewed to ensure all risks are understood and under control, the program plan is sound, and that the program will be affordable and executable. [1]
Definition: The Development RFP Decision Point authorizes the release of a Request for Proposal for Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) and often for Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP).
Purpose of the Development RFP Release Decision Point
The purpose of the Development RFP Release Decision Point is to ensure, prior to the release of the solicitation for Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD), that an executable and affordable program has been planned using a sound business and technical approach.
The objective is to ensure that the program requirements to be proposed against are firm and clearly stated, that the risk of committing to development (and eventually production) has been adequately reduced, that program security has been accommodated, and the program strategy and business approach are structured to provide value to the government while treating industry fairly.
Development RFP Release Decision Point Goal
A goal at this point is to avoid any major program delays at Milestone B when source selection is already complete and the award is imminent. Therefore, prior to the release of final RFPs, there needs to be confident that the program requirements to be bid against are firm and clearly stated; the risk of committing to the development and presumably production has been or will be adequately reduced prior to contract award and/or option exercise; the program structure, content, schedule, and funding are executable; and the business approach and incentives are structured to both provide maximum value to the government and treat industry fairly and reasonably. [1]
Approval Authority
The Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) will approve the release of the final RFP for the EMD phase and determine the preliminary low-rate initial production (LRIP) quantity or, for an AIS, the scope of limited deployment at this decision point.
Document Submittal
Documents required for the Development RFP Release Decision Point will be submitted no later than 45 calendar days prior to the review. These documents may have to be updated for final approval by the appropriate authority prior. Decisions resulting from the decision review will be documented in an Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM).[1]
AcqLinks and References:
- [1] DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System”
- Memo: Development Request for Proposal Review Procedures – 7 May 2015
Updated: 7/15/2021
Rank: G2