Acquisition Process

Performance-Based Acquisition (PBA) (FAR Subpart 37.6)- formerly Performance-Based Contracting (PBC) – is a technique for structuring all aspects of an acquisition around the purpose and outcome desired as opposed to the process by which the work is to be performed.  It’s a concept based on reforms mandated to all Federal Agencies by the President’s Management […]

Live-Fire Test and Evaluation (LFT&E) is an assessment of the vulnerability and lethality of a system as it progresses through Developmental Test & Evaluation (DT&E) prior to Full-Rate Production (FRP). LFT&E typically includes testing at the component, subassembly, and subsystem level, and may also draw upon design analyses, modeling and simulation, combat data, and related

A Test Readiness Review (TRR) is conducted to determine if the system under review is ready to proceed into formal testing by deciding whether the test procedures are complete and verify their compliance with test plans and descriptions. A TRR is normally conducted before each major test configuration item including hardware and software and provides

The Full Operational Capability (FOC) is when a system is delivered to a user and they have the ability to fully employ and maintain it to meet an operational need. The mission capabilities of a FOC system are defined in a system’s Capability Development Document (CDD) and Capability Production Document (CPD). Initial Operational Capability (IOC)

Evolutionary Acquisition is a DoD procurement approach where capability is developed and delivered in Increments.  Incremental development allows for future capabilities to be added to a system as upgrades in improved technology or other increase in operational capabilities to meet a desired instate.  Each block upgrade is managed as a separate increment for a fully

The Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) is the senior advisory board for the DoD acquisition system and provides advice on critical acquisition decisions. The board includes the Vice-Chair of the Joint Chiefs, the service Secretaries, and a number of Undersecretaries of Defense. Defense Acquisition Board (DAB) Responsibility Members of DAB board are responsible for approving the

Note: An acquisition plan is no longer required by DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of Defense Acquisition System” An Acquisition Plan is a plan that documents all cost, schedule, technical, business, management, and other considerations that will govern an acquisition program and is derived from the Acquisition Strategy. It summarizes the acquisition planning discussions and identifies

Milestones are a point in time when a recommendation is made to the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) about starting or continuing an acquisition program into the next Acquisition Phase.  The milestones and Milestone Requirements are established by DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System”. The milestones are represented by triangles (Δ) with the

Milestone A is a Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) led review at the end of the Materiel Solutions Analysis (MSA) Phase in the Defense Acquisition Process.  Its purpose is to make a recommendation or seek approval to enter the Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase. A milestone marks the start/or finish of a phase and

Update: DoDI 5000.02 “Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework” – 8 Jun 2022 has been released. Note: According to Section 1.4 Transition Plan of the new instruction, the old DoDI 5000.02 dated Jan 7, 2015 (Change 3 dated 10 Aug 2017) has been renumbered to DoDI 5000.02T. DoDI 5000.02T will remain in effect, with content

Milestone C (MS C) is a Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) led review at the end of the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase of the Defense Acquisition Process. Its purpose is to make a recommendation or seek approval to enter the Production and Deployment (PD) Phase.  A milestone marks the start/or finish of a phase and

The Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) is the overall executive sponsor responsible for any Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP).  The MDA formally initiates each increment of an evolutionary acquisition program as required by DoD Instruction 5000.85 “Major Capability Acquisition”. They determine if a program has met its phase exit requirement and can proceed into the next

The Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition system is directed by DoD Instruction 5000.85 “Major Capability Acquisitions”. This instruction provides the policies and principles that govern the defense acquisition system and the phases that form the foundation for all DoD programs. It also identifies the specific statutory and regulatory reports and other information requirements for each

Exit Criteria are program-specific accomplishments that must be satisfactorily demonstrated before a program can progress further in the current acquisition phase or transition to the next acquisition phase. Definition: Exit criteria are the pre-determined requirements that must be met in order for a process, project or program to progress to the next step. Purpose of

Milestone B is a Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) led review at the end of the Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TD) Phase in the Defense Acquisition Process. Its purpose is to make a recommendation or seek approval to enter the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase.  Milestone B is considered the official start of a program.  A

The Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase is where a system is developed and designed before going into production. The EMD Phase starts after a successful Milestone B which is considered the formal start of any program.  The goal of this phase is to complete the development of a system or increment of capability, complete

The Acquisition Strategy is a comprehensive plan that identifies and describes the acquisition approach that Program Management will follow to manage program risks and meet program objectives. The Acquisition Strategy guides program execution across the entire program life cycle and is updated at every major milestone and review. An approved strategy is reviewed and approved

The Defense Acquisition System divides its development program into Acquisition Categories (ACAT). These categories detail the level and amount of oversight, decision authority, and applicable procedures that are required for a program to operate.  An Acquisition category is assigned to a program primarily by the expected program cost and/or level of interest. Definition: Acquisition Categories (ACAT)