Note: RECENDED on 23 March 2009 The National Security Space Policy (NSS) 03-01 provides the guidance for the development of spaces acquisition systems for the DoD. It provides the policies and principles that form the foundation for all space DoD programs and establishes a management framework for translating user needs and technology opportunities into stable, […]
A Materiel Development Decision (MDD) is a point in time where the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) analysis has identified a capability gap/need and an MDD Review has determined a materiel solution is needed. The MDD is the formal point that initiates the Materiel Solutions Analysis (MSA) Phase. After a program has an
A Major Program Review is a time-based event where all key stakeholders on an acquisition program gather to discuss the progress of their program. Usually, the review decides if there is sufficient data to suggest that a program can proceed to the next phase of the program. There are two main categories of reviews that
A Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) (10 USC § 4251) is a program that meets or exceeds the Acquisition Category (ACAT) I requirements in DoD Instruction 5000.85 “Major Capability Acquisition” and is classified as an MDAP by the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) or Under Secretary of Defense (USD) Acquisition & Sustainment (A&S). Instruction: DoD Instruction
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
The Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) is conducted during the Production and Deployment (PD) Phase. LRIP is the point in time where manufacturing development is completed and the ability to produce a small-quantity set of articles to provide for representation at Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E). It also establishes an initial production base and sets
The In-Service Review (ISR) is an assessment of a system to determine if it’s operationally employed with well-understood and Managed Risks. It assesses the current status, operational health and corrective actions to satisfy user operational needs based on user feedback and performance metrics. The reviews should be conducted at defined intervals to identify needed
The Initial Operational Capability (IOC) is a point in time during the Production & Deployment (PD) Phase where a system can meet the minimum operational (Threshold and Objective) capabilities for a user’s stated need. The operational capability consists of support, training, logistics, and system interoperability within the DoD operational environment. IOC is a good gauging
The Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) is conducted on production, or production representative articles, to determine whether systems are operationally effective and suitable for intended use by representative users to support the decision to proceed beyond Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP). The IOT&E will normally test the values in the Capability Production Development (CPD). The
The Full-Rate Production Decision Review (FRDR) is conducted at the conclusion of the Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) effort that authorizes entry into the Full-Rate Production (FRP) and Deployment efforts of the Production and Deployment (PD) Phase of the Defense Acquisition Process. [1] Full-Rate Production (FRP) Contracting for economic production quantities following stabilization of the system
DoD Space Acquisition Systems follow DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System” in its phased approach. Prior to 23 March 2009, Space Acquisitions was directed by National Security Space (NSS) 03-01. Now the directive authority comes from DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System” and Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) 09-025 Space Systems
The Directive that governs the policies for the Defense Acquisition System is called the Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 5000.01 “The Defense Acquisition System” dated 9 September 2020. The Directive lists the following policies that shall govern the Defense Acquisition System. The policies in this Directive apply to all acquisition programs. [1] DoDD 5000.01 “The
The final phase of the Acquisition Process is the Disposal and Demilitarization Phase. A system or piece of equipment is decommissioned when a system has reached its useful life due to age, economic feasibly, new technology, or outdated capabilities. These systems range from real estate, weapons, aircraft, ships, computers, and much more. A Program Manager
Defense Acquisition Executive Summary (DAES) Report is the principal mechanism for tracking programs between milestone reviews. A DAES report is provided by the Program Manager (PM) of a Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP) to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, and Sustainment (USD(A&S)) each calendar month and a quarter. The information in the DAES
A Critical Design Review (CDR) is a multi-disciplined independent technical assessment to ensure that a system can proceed into fabrication, demonstration, and test and meet stated performance requirements within cost, schedule, and risk. A successful CDR is predicated upon a determination that the detailed design satisfies the Capabilities Development Document (CDD). Multiple CDRs may be
An Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) is an analytical comparison of the operational effectiveness, suitability, and life-cycle cost of alternative material solutions that satisfy an established capability need to be identified in an Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). It focuses on the identification and analysis of alternatives, Measures of Effectiveness (MOE), schedule, Concepts of Operations (CONOPS), and
An Alternative Systems Review (ASR) is a technical review that assesses the preliminary materiel solutions that have been developed during the Materiel Solution Analysis (MSA) Phase. The review ensures that one or more proposed materiel solution(s) have the best potential to be cost-effective, affordable, operationally effective, and suitable, and can be developed to provide a
Alternative Material Solutions are examined as part of an Alternative Systems Review (ASR). They examine alternative solutions that might be viable to meet defined needed capabilities in terms of cost, schedule and performance risk, and reasonableness given the expected maturity of enabling technologies. By reviewing alternative material solutions, the ASR helps ensure that sufficient effort
The Acquisition Program Baseline (APB) is developed by the Program Manager (PM) before the initiation of a program for all Acquisition Category (ACAT) programs and depicts the current condition of a program. The plan states the threshold and objective values for the cost, schedule, and performance requirements for a program. The performance requirements are listed
The Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) documents the decisions made by the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) during a Milestone Decision Review. It’s the formal justification that allows a program to proceed into the next acquisition phase. The ADM also lists the tasks that have to be completed during an acquisition phase and the responsible agent for
The Operations and Support (O&S) Phase is where a system is used and supported by users in the field. The main focus of this phase is the execution of a support system that sustains the system in the most cost-effective manner possible. The second main focus of this phase is the disposal of a system
The Production and Deployment (PD) Phase is where a system that satisfies an operational capability is produced and deployed to an end-user. The phase has two major efforts; (1) Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and (2) Full-Rate Production and Deployment (FRP&D). The phase begins after a successful Milestone C review and Engineering, Manufacturing and Development (EMD)
The Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase is one of five phases that make up the defense acquisition process. It’s focused on making sure a program is ready to enter into the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase by having reduced risk, mature requirements, funding, and stable programitics. Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR)
The Materiel Solution Analysis (MSA) Phase assesses potential solutions for a needed capability in an Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). It satisfies the phase-specific Entrance Criteria for the next program milestone designated by the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA). The main activity during this phase is to conduct an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA). The MSA phase is critical
Note: The Technology Development Strategy (TDS) is no longer required for DoD Programs according to DoD Instruction 5000.02. A program’s technology development approach is now detailed in a program’s Acquisition Strategy. The Technology Development Strategy (TDS) describes the acquisition approach that will be undertaken to mature key technologies and maturation efforts to Initial Operational Capability (IOC).
