Acquisition Logistics is a multi-functional, technical management discipline associated with the design, development, test, production, fielding, sustainment, and improvement modifications of DoD systems. The majority of a system’s life-cycle costs can be attributed directly to operations and support costs once the system is fielded.  The three (3) principal objectives of acquisition logistics are to ensure:

1. That support considerations are an integral part of the system’s design requirements
2. The system can be cost-effectively supported throughout its life-cycle
3. Product Support elements necessary to the initial fielding and operational support of the system are identified, developed, and acquired.

The Program Manager (PM) and Product Support Manager (PSM) is responsible for accomplishing these principal program objectives across the life-cycle of a system, including the Operating & Support (O&S) Phase. Employing Performance-Based Life-Cycle Product Support tied to Sustainment Metrics is the overarching DoD acquisition logistics concept for providing Materiel Availability, Supportability, and readiness to the user. [1]

Acquisition logistics activities are most effective when they are integral to both the contractor’s and Government’s System Engineering Process and addressed early in the Acquisition Processes.  The main elements of Acquisition Based Logistics are:

• Contractor Logistics Support
• Integrated Logistics Support (ILS)
• Life-Cycle Sustainment
• Performance-Based Logistics
• Supply Chain Management
• Supply Management

A number of the tasks associated with acquisition logistics include:

• Standardization
• Reliability
• Data Management
• Sustainment Metrics
• Just-in-Time (JIT) Inventory
• Life-Cycle Signature Support Plan (LSSP)
• Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP)
• Product Support Strategy
• Support Concept
• Supportability

AcqLinks and References:

• Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG)
• MIL-HDBK-502A “Product Support Analysis” – 8 Mar 2013
• (Old) Mil-Handbook 502 “DoD Handbook Acquisition Logistics” – 30 May 1997
• Product Support Managers Guidebook – 24 June 2016
• DoD Logistics Assessment Guidebook – Jul 2011
• Integrated Product Support Element Guidebook, Chapter 3 – Dec 2011
• Flexibility Sustainment Guide – July 1999
• DoD Directive 5000.01 “Defense Acquisition System” – 20 Nov 2007, E1.1.17
• Performance-Based Logistics: A Program Manager’s Product Support Guide
• Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) Guidebook – March 2016
• Performance-Based Agreement Toolkit
• Introduction to Operational Availability
• Air Force Life Cycle Logistics Workforce Guidebook – 23 Oct 13
• DoD Logistics Transformation Strategy “Achieving Knowledge-Enabled Logistics” – 10 Dec 04
• DoD Directive 4140.1 “Supply Chain Management Policy” – 22 April 04
• DoD 4140.1R “Supply Chain Materiel Management Regulation” – 23 May 03
• OSD “A Guide to Increased Reliability and Reduced Logistics Footprint”
• Website: Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)

Updated: 3/16/2020