DOD Acquisition Library
Below, our experts have curated a collection of valuable, publicly available, defense acquisition-related resources. In some cases, a policy or guide may be out of date; however, in our experts’ opinion, the listed version is still a useful resource that may no longer be available elsewhere.
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Online Resources
Useful Documents
| CATEGORY | TITLE | AUTHOR | RELEASE DATE | FILE TYPE | DESCRIPTION |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Management | Air Force Systems Safety Handbook | AFSA | 2000-07-01 | Handbook offering considerable insight to the general principles, objectives, and requirements of applying system safety concepts to the USAF systems acquisition and logistical support processes. | |
| Contract Management | Contracting Officer’s Representative Guidebook | OUSD(A&S)/DPC | 2021-05-01 | This guidebook provides basic knowledge and tools for CORs to effectively perform their duties and responsibilities. CORs provide technical surveillance of contractor performance, serving as the “eyes and ears” of the Contracting Officer. CORs verify that contractors are fulfilling contract delivery and quality requirements, and document performance outcomes for the contract record. | |
| Contract Management | Guidebook for Performance-Based Services Acquistion (PBSA) in the DOD | OSD/AT&L | 2001-01-02 | Helps acquisition teams, and other stakeholders, better understand the basic principles of PBSA and better implement performance based methodologies into services acquistions. | |
| Contract Management | Air Force Guide: Award Term / Incentive Options | SAF/AQC | 2003-01-01 | Provides general guidance on ways to use award term provisions in USAF contracts and discusses the pitfalls of and important rules to satisfy, at a minimum, for non-cost incentives. | |
| Program Management | Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan Version 3.0 | DOD | 2022-10-13 | The purpose of this outline is to assist the Product Support Manager (PSM) in developing a Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP) that can improve sustainment planning for Department of Defense (DoD) weapon systems early in the life-cycle and to document updates to planning and execution as the design evolves and the system progresses through its life-cycle. | |
| Program Management | Integrated Master Plan (IMP) & Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) Preparation & Use Guide | DOD | 2005-10-21 | Provides guidance for the preparation and implementation of a program's IMP and IMS, fundamental management tools that are critical to planning, scheduling and executing major projects. | |
| Product Support | Independent Logistics Assessment Guidebook | DOD | 2023-04-07 | Provides guidance for the program and ILA team on conducting, assessing, reporting, and closing the ILA. It provides information to assist in the ILA process, including instructions on assessing risk, writing the final report, and using the ILA checklist. | |
| Product Support | Condition Based Maintenance Plus (CBM+) Guidebook | DOD | 2008-05-01 | Assists logistics managers with CBM+ project development, implementation and execution; illustrates various complementary components of successful CBM+ implementation and describes management actions necessary to integration all technologies in order to increase reliability, availability, operational effectiveness and maintenance efficiency. | |
| Program Management | Weapon Systems Software Management Guidebook | SAF/AQ | 2008-08-15 | This guidebook sets top-level Air Force expectations for the development, acquisition, management and sustainment of weapon systems software and software embedded in Air Force systems, so that software-related problems that are now too typical can be understood and avoided in the future. The principles and techniques in this guidebook generally apply to all software domains, but the targeted domains include aeronautical, electronics, weapons, and space systems. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Air Force Human Systems Integration (HSI) Handbook | AFRL/711 HPW | 2008-09-01 | This handbook provides the practitioner with an introduction to HSI and an improved understanding of why HSI is important. This includes consideration of the relationship between HSI and the Systems Acquisition Process, emphasizing the importance of addressing HSI early in system design and acquisition. | |
| Contract Management | Department of the Air Force Award Fee Guide | USAF | 2008-10-01 | Provides Air Force-level guidance on the appropriate use of award fee in order to ensure outstanding contracting performance and mutually benefit the Air Force and its industry contracting partners. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Cost Estimating and Assessment Guide | GAO | 2009-03-01 | Establishes a consistent methodology, based on best practices, that can be used across the federal government to develop, manage, and evaluated capital program cost estimates. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Guide for Performance Specifications SD-15 | DSP | 2009-08-24 | This document provides guidance information on performance specifications focusing primarily on stating requirements in performance terms and ensuring that sufficient verification means are included in the specification to evaluate conformance. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Commercial Derivative Aircraft (CDA) Acquisition Guide | DAI | 2009-11-01 | Provides a compilation of current knowledge, experiences, and best practices from commercial-derivative aircraft (CDA) programs across the DoD with emphasis on Air Force programs. Addresses the entire spectrum of CDA programs from those with minimum modifications to a “green” aircraft to those with more extensive modifications. The guide provides a comprehensive set of guidelines to assist defense planners and program implementers in the execution of CDA programs. | |
| Program Management | Joint Software Systems Safety Engineering Handbook | DOD | 2010-08-27 | Within the domain of systems engineering, systems safety engineering identifies and analyzes behavioral and interface requirements, the design architecture, and the human interface within the context of both systems and systems of systems (SoS). This Handbook provides management and engineering guidelines to achieve a reasonable level of assurance that software will execute within the system context with an acceptable level of safety risk. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Myth-Busting: Addressing Misconceptions to Improve Communication with Industry during the Acquisition Process | OFPP | 2011-02-02 | Memorandum which identifies common misconceptions about vendor engagement that is hindering agencies' appropriate use of existing flexibilities and provides strategies to help acquisition professionals benefit from industry's knowledge and insight. | |
| Program Management | Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) Guidance | DOD | 2011-05-13 | A Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) is a formal, systematic, metrics-based process that assesses the maturity of , and risk associated with, critical hardware and software technologies to be used inmajor defense systems. It is conducted by the Program Manger with assistance of an independent team of subject matter experts. | |
| Reports/Analysis | Successful Integration of Commercial Systems: A Study of Commercial Derivative Systems | DAI | 2011-06-10 | Provides a review of commercial-derivative aircraft (CDA) acquisition focusing on the differences with traditional, full-development DoD acquisition programs. The guide provides straight forward advice on how to avoid the most common problems in developing and executing a CDA program throughout a lifecycle. A companion “CDA Acquisition Guide” is also available from Dayton Aerospace. | |
| Product Support | Logistics Assessment Guidebook | DOD | 2011-07-01 | Provides a structure for conducting logistics assessments and helps Components establish baseline assessment criteria specific to their weapon systems. | |
| Test and Evaluation | Incorporating Test & Evaluation into DOD Acquisition Contracts | DOD | 2011-10-01 | This guide is designed to help the DoD and industry test and evaluation (T&E) professionals identify T&E items to consider for inclusion when drafting requirements documentsand solicitations, as well as managing contracts including T&E activities. | |
| Program Management | Schedule Risk Assessment (SRA) Process Guide (Ver 2) | SAF/AQX | 2012-01-18 | A Schedule Risk Assessment (SRA) is a process that uses statistical techniques to quantify the schedule impact of technical, programmatic, and other risks in a project. An SRA provides a means to quantify the risks in a program and determine the effect of things that may not go according to plan. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Myth-Busting 2: Addressing Misconceptions and Further Improving Communication During the Acquisition Process | OFPP | 2012-05-07 | Memorandum discussing misconceptions held by the vendor community and provides additional information and strategies for both government agencies and vendors to promote more effective communication. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Guidebook for the Acquisition of Services | DOD | 2012-06-05 | Provides acquisition teams with a disciplined, seven-step process, for the acquisition of services, starting with a valid mission requirement, through planning, business strategy development, service delivery and assessment. | |
| Program Management | Integrated Baseline Review (IBR) Process Guide (v 3.0) | USAF | 2012-09-20 | The IBR is an essential program management tool for identifying, quantifying, and mitigating risks when executing complex weapons system and information technology projects. This guide provides a standardized process for planning and conducting IBRs across the Air Force enterprise. | |
| Program Management | Air Force Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) Assessment Process | USAF | 2012-09-21 | This document is written for Air Force program managers and their functional staff. The purpose of this document is to define the process of performing an IMS assessment at two levels. | |
| Program Management | Earned Value Management System (EVMS) Program Analysis Pamphlet 200-1 | DCMA | 2012-10-01 | This EVMS Program Analysis Pamphlet (EVMSPAP) will serve as a primary reference for EVMS Specialists to properly generate EVM metrics, graphs, tables, and presentations supporting the creation of the Program Assessment Report (PAR). It outlines EVM key components spanning the integrated business management systems and the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS). | |
| Test and Evaluation | Test and Evaluation Management Guide (6th Ed) | DOD | 2012-12-01 | Intended primarily for use in courses at DAU and secondarily as a generic desk reference for program and project management, and T&E personnel. The TEMG is designed to assist Government and industry personnel in executing their management responsibilities relative to the T&E support of defense systems. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Cost Benefit Analysis Guide 3rd Edition (V.3.10) | US Army | 2013-04-24 | Assist analysts in identifying, quantifying, and evaluating the future costs and benefits of alternative solutions in order to recommend the optimum course of action for decision-making purposes. | |
| Program Management | Open Systems Architecture (OSA): Contract Guidebook for Program Managers Version 1.1 | DOD | 2013-06-01 | Provides contract language to capture the benefits of an open architecture and an open business model to increase opportunities for competition and improve access to innovation. | |
| Product Support | Contract Sustainment Support Guide | AF/LG | 2013-08-01 | This guide is intended to help USAF personnel involved in life cycle management processes reduce and control cost and risk when procuring products or services. The CSSG provides recommendations based on best practices (BPs) that are mapped to Air Force Product Support Elements (PSEs) and Air Force Cost Analysis Improvement Group (AF CAIG) elements. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Information Technology Acquisition Guide | DISA | 2013-11-01 | Provides a series of proactively tailored acquisition models and processes to assist with the effective acquisition of IT products and services. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Performance Based Payment Guide | OSD/AT&L (DPAP) | 2014-01-01 | Provides contracting and acquisition professionals with the steps necessary to construct a detailed PBP arrangement that will be documented in a special provision in the contract. | |
| Product Support | Logisitic Health Assessment (LHA) Users Guide | AFLCMC/LG | 2014-02-14 | Describes the overall LHA and provides the user with additional information on the tool to include weighting factors, business rules, Product Support Element resources, and multiple annexes. The assessment is recommended to be accomplished quarterly, or as directed by higher headquarters guidance, with results will be presented through a multitude of reviews. | |
| Product Support | Product Support Business Case Analysis (BCA) Guidebook | DOD | 2014-03-01 | Provides a standardized process and methodology for writing, aiding decision making, and providing analytical decision support for a product support BCA, including research, data analysis, and delivery of a PS BCA report. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Market Research Process Guide | HQ AFMC/PK | 2014-07-01 | The guide provides implementation instructions for Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 10, which prescribes policies and procedures for conducting Market Research to arrive at the most suitable approach to acquiring, distributing and supporting supplies and services. | |
| Program Management | The Measures Handbook | AFMC/A5-OAS | 2014-08-06 | Provides practical guidance for developing and analyzing measures in the capabilities-based assessment (CBA), pre-materiel development decision analysis and analysis of alternatives (AoA). | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Contract Pricing Reference Guide - Volume 1 - Price Analysis | DAU | 2014-09-09 | Discusses several price analysis methods which involve examining and evaluating the reasonableness of a proposed price without evaluating its separate cost elements and proposed profit. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Contract Pricing Reference Guide - Volume 3 - Cost Analysis | DAU | 2014-09-09 | Discusses cost analysis concepts such as allocability and allowability, certified cost and pricing data, direct cost elements, indirect costs, facilities capital cost of money, and profit analysis. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Contract Pricing Reference Guide - Volume 5 - Negotiation Techniques | DAU | 2014-09-09 | Provides guidance for understanding the art of negotiation, planning for negotiation, and best practices for non-competitive negotiations and competitive discussions. | |
| Contract Management | Guidebook for Contract Property Administration | DCMA | 2014-12-11 | This Guidebook is designed to implement the requirements of the FAR, facilitate the effective and efficient oversight of contractors, provide a degree of standardization in corporate practices, maximize the Department’s return on investment, achieve best value, and protect the Government’s interests. | |
| Program Management | DOD Program Manager Guidebook for Integrating the Cybersecurity Risk Management Framework (RMF) into the System Acquisition Lifecycle | DOD | 2015-10-27 | DOD recently revised several of its policies to more strongly emphasize the integration of cybersecurity into its acquisition programs to ensure resilient systems. This guidebook is intended to assist program managers in the efficient and cost effective integration of cybersecurity into their systems, in accordance with the updated DOD policies. | |
| Program Management | Project Manager's Guidebook | Federal Acquisition Institute | 2015-11-24 | The goal of this Federal Acquisition Institute guide is to be a resource tool to PMs, providing practical concepts and useful tools and templates. This guide is designed to provide PMs with best practices and tools to adopt or adapt so that management of projects are appropriate and effective in achieving desired results. | |
| Contract Management | Guidance on Using Incentive and Other Contract Types | OSD/AT&L | 2016-03-01 | Addresses, in a comprehensive way, the considerations contracting and acquisition professional should take into account when selecting and negotiating the most appropriate contract type for a given requirement. | |
| Product Support | Operating and Support (O&S) Cost Management Guidebook | DOD | 2016-03-10 | Assists program managers and PSMs in structuring and conducting O&S cost analysis to inform early life cycle decisions, impact reliability trades, and identify should cost initiatives having the greatest impact on future costs. The guidebook provides a foundational understanding of the distinctions between affordability and cost and between "Will Cost" and "Should Cost." | |
| Contract Management | Department of Defense Source Selection Procedures | DOD | 2016-03-31 | Provides DoD procedures for conducting competitively negotiated source selections and outlines a common set of principles and procedures for conducting such acquisitions in accordance with applicable statutes and regulations. | |
| Product Support | Logistics & Sustainment Enterprise 2040 | AFSC | 2016-04-12 | Logistics and Sustainment Enterprise 2040 (LSE 2040) represents both a multi-decennial vision and a management and execution strategy in the pursuit of vastly improved LSE operations. | |
| Product Support | Performance Based Logistics (PBL) Guidebook - A Guide to Developing Performance Based Arrangements | DOD | 2016-04-29 | A consolidated resourse that leverages DOD instructions and other guidebooks and uses the product support business model (PSBM) as an organizing construct for PBL best practices, processes, and supporting documentation needed to craft effective PBL arrangements. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Myth-Busting 3: Further Improving Industry Communication with Effective Debriefings | OFPP | 2017-01-05 | Memorandum addressing misconceptions about proposal debriefings and offers strategies to strengthen the productive interaction between the Federal Government and industry through the effective use of debriefings. | |
| Program Management | Risk, Issue, and Opportunity Management Guide for Defense Acquisition Programs | DOD | 2017-01-09 | Provides practical advice to programs as they work to identify, analyze, and manage risks, issues, and opportunities; however, the value of risk management is not tied to a formal adherence to policy. Rather the value lies in the program manager’s ability to apply critical thinking and adopt a culture of risk management that influences program decisions and execution of technical fundamentals. | |
| Product Support | Life Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP) Outline Version 2.0 | OSD/LM&R | 2017-01-19 | Outline provides additional guidance on LCSP format and content expectations for all DOD-managed programs. The LCSP serves as a tool to satisfy warfighter sustainment requirements and evolves into the execution plan for how life cycle sustainment requirements are acquired, fielded, applied, managed, assessed, measured and reported. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Market Research Report Guide for Improving the Tradecraft in Services Acquisition | DOD/AT&L | 2017-03-01 | This document provides best practices for conducting and documenting market research and provides standard processes and reports, allowing for enhanced data collection and sharing of market research across the Department. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Handbook | HAF/A5R-OAS | 2017-08-04 | Provides guidance on forming the working integrated product team (WIPT), developing the AoA study guidance and plan, forming the AoA study team, conducting the study, and developing the final report. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Competitive Strategies for Systems Acquisition and Life Cycle Management | Dayton Aerospace | 2017-10-23 | A practical guide for program managers on how to develop competitive acquisition strategies for each phase of the acquisition life cycle. Includes numerous real-world case studies. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Capabilities-Based Assessment (CBA) Handbook | AFMC/A5-OAS | 2017-12-12 | Assists participants through all phases of a CBA, an important analytical activity supporting the Joint Capabilities and Integration Development System (JCIDS) process. | |
| Contract Management | Commercial Item Pricing Guidebook Part B | DOD | 2018-01-29 | Commercial items are not subject to the Truthful Cost or Pricing Data Act because the commercial marketplace is presumed to be a competitive environment and should drive a fair and reasonable price. This guide is intended to help contracting officers appropriately price these items when a competitive market price does not exist or market data is not readily available. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Independent Government Cost Estimate - Handbook for Services Acquisition | DOD | 2018-02-01 | The Handbook explains the importance of the independent government cost estimate (IGCE) and its purpose and presents information regarding the minimum requirements for IGCE documentation. The handbook helps analysts understand the elements of a cost estimate and identify tools available for its development. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Bundling Guidance | DOD/OSBP | 2018-05-01 | Discusses how combining two or more contract requirements into a single requirement can exclude potential contractors which can only perform or deliver smaller requirements, referred to as “bundling,” and provides consolidation guidance. | |
| Contract Management | Bid Protests at GAO: A Descriptive Guide 10th Edition | GAO | 2018-05-01 | Provides informal, practical guidance about the GAO bid protest process used when bidders or others interested in government procurements may have reason to believe that a contract has been awarded improperly or illegally or they have been unfairly denied the opportunity to compete. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Standard Process for Cost Capability Analysis | AFLCMC/XP | 2018-06-21 | Cost Capability Analysis (CCA) is a process that uses warfighter involvement, subject matter expertise, and a rigorous multi-attribute, multi-objective decision analysis methodology to define tradespace between cost and warfighting capabilities. | |
| Reports/Analysis | Report of the Advisory Panel on Streamlining and Codifying Acquisition Regulations (Vol 1) | Section 809 Panel | 2018-06-28 | Volume 1 focuses on enabling a dynamic marketplace framework—an outcome‐based acquisition process for providing DOD with simplified access to the global marketplace. The panel’s research showed that the current acquisition process is an obstacle to DOD’s ability to access a marketplace, which has moved far beyond the traditional defense industrial base of the Cold War era. The report identifies specific recommendations to repeal provisions of law that unnecessarily constrain the authority of the Secretary of Defense and impede necessary agility. | |
| Reports/Analysis | Report of the Advisory Panel on Streamlining and Codifying Acquisition Regulations (Vol 2) | Section 809 Panel | 2018-06-28 | Volume 2 contains recommendations addressing the acquisition workforce, commercial source selection, the Cost Accounting Standards Board, and services contracting. Volume 2 introduces a proposal to move DOD to an enterprisewide portfolio management structure aimed at improving the existing, over-managed system and continues discussion of the dynamic marketplace concept. | |
| Reports/Analysis | Report of the Advisory Panel on Streamlining and Codifying Acquisition Regulations (Vol 3 - Part 1) | Section 809 Panel | 2018-06-28 | Volume 3 expands on the dynamic marketplace concept and recommends changes to portfolio management, IT procurement, budget, acquisition workforce, and other areas intended to streamline and simplify DOD's acquisition process. (Part 1 of 2) | |
| Reports/Analysis | Report of the Advisory Panel on Streamlining and Codifying Acquisition Regulations (Vol 3 - Part 2) | Section 809 Panel | 2018-06-28 | Volume 3 expands on the dynamic marketplace concept and recommends changes to the contract complliance practices, government-industry interaction, the complex the contracting process, contract flow-down requirements, and other areas intended to streamline and simplify DOD's acquisition process. (Part 2 of 2) | |
| Program Management | The Department of Defense Cyber Table Top Guidebook | DOD | 2018-07-02 | The acquisition and engineering communities need methods and tools to implement effective and affordable cybersecurity, cyber survivability, and operational resilience. This guidebook describes methods for early identification and categorization of cyber vulnerabilities, as well as identification of associated critical mission and system functions. | |
| Program Management | Standard Process for Process for Capability Development | AFLCMC/XZ | 2018-08-16 | Capability Development is an overarching term the USAF now uses in reference to the organization, execution and oversight of all activities associated with developing capabilities for the total USAF across the lifecycle extending from initial identification of need or opportunity through assessment of a fielded capability. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Acquiring and Enforcing the Government's Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software under DOD Contracts: A Practical Handbook for Acquisition Professionals | SMC/JA | 2018-10-10 | Provides a practical “cradle-to-grave” approach to acquiring technical data and computer software rights. Intended to help acquisition professionals carefully tailor a strategy to satisfy the unique needs of their specific program. | |
| Acquisition Planning | SD-2 DoD Acquisitions Buying Commercial Items and Nondevelopmental Items | Defense Standardization Program Office | 2018-11-01 | This document provides guidance on acquisitions involving all types of commercial and nondevelopmental items (NDI): systems, subsystems, assemblies, parts, items of supply and commercial services. The guide offers lessons learned and things to consider when participating on an integrated product team (IPT). | |
| Acquisition Planning | SD-5 Market Research Gathering Information About Commercial Products and Services | Defense Standardization Program Office | 2018-12-01 | This document provides DoD and other federal personnel involved in the acquisition process with practical guidance on using market research to ensure the acquisition of products and services that will best serve the government’s needs. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Professional Practice Guide: Audits and Oversight of Defense Contractor Costs and Internal Controls | DOD | 2019-01-01 | The Section 809 Panel developed this Professional Practice Guide as a supplement to existing guidance for professionals involved in DoD procurement contract auditing. Although professional standards are common across the auditing profession—these standards were not developed or interpreted for the unique purpose of federal government contract oversight. This guide seeks to bridge that gap. | |
| Contract Management | Standard Process for Contract Award (Competitive Source Selection) (Version 5.0) | AFLCMC/AZ | 2019-01-17 | Describes AFLCMC's source selection process from RFP release to contract award for competitive acquisitions >$1M conducted in accordance with DOD's Source Selection Procedures. | |
| Program Management | Earned Value Management (EVM) Implementation Guide | DOD | 2019-01-18 | Government and industry program managers use EVM as a program management tool to provide situational awareness of program status and to assess the cost, schedule, and technical performance of programs. | |
| Test and Evaluation | Air Force Test & Evaluation Guide | USAF/TE | 2019-02-08 | This document contains guidance, best practices, and lessons learned relevant to Air Force test and evaluation (T&E). It is a “living” guide that reflects information compiled from many sources based on most recent collective test community experiences. | |
| Reports/Analysis | A Roadmap to the Section 809 Report | Section 809 Panel | 2019-03-07 | This roadmap organizes the Section 809 Panel's 98 recommendations thematically around four concepts, demonstrating how suggested changes to acquisition practices can produce each of these core outcomes: 1) Leverage the dynamic marketplace; 2) Allocate resources effectively; 3) Enable the workforce; and 4) Simplify acquisition. | |
| Program Management | Earned Value Management System (EVMS) Interpretation Guide | DOD | 2019-03-14 | Provides the overarching DOD interpretation of the 32 Guidelines where an EVMS requirement is applied, including the strategic intent behind each guideline, as well as the specific attributes required in a compliant EVMS. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Middle Tier of Acquisition (Rapid Prototyping/Rapid Fielding) Interim Governance 2 | DOD-USD/A&S | 2019-03-20 | The memorandum incorporates and suplements two earlier guidance memos issued in 2018 providing authority and guidance to DOD acquisition activities seeking to use the rapid prototyping and rapid fielding processes to acquire military capabilities pursuant to Section 804 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. | |
| Reports/Analysis | Software Is Never Done: Refactoring the Acquisition Code for Competitive Advantage (SWAP Executive Summary) | Defense Innovation Board | 2019-03-21 | DOD's current approach to software development is a leading source of risk; it takes too long, is too expensive, and exposes warfighters to unacceptable risk by delaying their access to the tools they need to ensure mission success. This is an executive summary of a report proposing significant changes to the DOD acquisition process when buying software. | |
| Reports/Analysis | Software Is Never Done: Refactoring the Acquisition Code for Competitive Advantage (SWAP Main Report) | Defense Innovation Board | 2019-03-21 | DOD's current approach to software development is a leading source of risk; it takes too long, is too expensive, and exposes warfighters to unacceptable risk by delaying their access to the tools they need to ensure mission success. This report proposes broad-reaching recommendations to improve software acquisition to overcome the challenges and reduce the risk for DOD. | |
| Reports/Analysis | Intellectual Property Rights Cross-Functional Team Final Report | SAF/AQD & GCQ | 2019-04-03 | This report provides seven recommendations, along with observations and conclusions, concerning IP acquisition strategies, techniques, policy, and resources relating to noncommercial technical data and computer software. The Air Force issued a July 2019 Data Rights Guidebook based on the work of this team. | |
| Contract Management | Contractor Business Systems Manual 2301-01 | DCMA | 2019-04-19 | This manual assigns responsibilities and prescribes procedures for assessing the effectiveness of the contractor’s business systems including estimating, accounting, earned value management, material management, government property, and purchasing systems. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Myth-Busting 4: Strengthening Engagement with Industry Partners through Innovative Business Practices | OFPP | 2019-04-30 | Memorandum improves awareness of vendor engagement strategies that federal procurement thought leaders are using to create a more responsive buying process, modernize the acquisition culture, and deliver greater value to the taxpayer. | |
| Contract Management | Contractor Purchasing System Review (CPSR) Guidebook | DCMA | 2019-06-14 | Offers guidance on the CPSR, a review which evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness with which a contractor spends government funds and complies with government policy when subcontracting. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Air Force Guidance Memorandum for Rapid Acquisition Activities (AFGM2019 63-01) | SAF/AQ | 2019-06-27 | Provides guidance for Air Force acquisition professionals on implementing the rapid prototyping and rapid fielding authorities enabled by Section 804 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2016. Note: This guidance is now incorporated into Air Force Instruction (AFI) 63-101/20-101, 30 Jun 2020. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Air Force Data Rights Guidebook (SMART IP) | SAF/AQ & GCQ | 2019-07-01 | Intended to equip Air Force acquisition personnel to handle common issues encountered in the realm of intellectual property (IP) acquisition, particularly those issues surrounding rights in technical data and computer software. Presents recurring issues that acquisition personnel can expect to face in the format of frequently asked questions, each followed by a suggested plan for dealing with that issue. | |
| Contract Management | Commercial Item Determination Guidebook Part A | DOD | 2019-07-10 | This guidebook is intended to assist government acquisition personnel in evaluating products and services to determine whether they are commercial items and properly making and documenting the determination. | |
| Acquisition Planning | DOD Cloud Acquisition Guidebook Version 1.2 | DAU | 2019-11-01 | Cloud computing presents an enormous paradigm shift from the usual acquisition model for acquiring traditional Information Technology (IT) services. This Guidebook provides information and best practices that will allow programs to take advantage of the opportunities provided by cloud services. | |
| Program Management | Standard Process for Schedule Management Fundamentals (v 5.0) | AFLCMC/AZ | 2019-11-08 | The process to develop a program schedule includes the activities to plan schedule development, select a scheduling method and tool, develop the program schedule based on specific program data and requirements, baseline the schedule, and then monitor, analyze, manage and report on schedule performance. | |
| Product Support | Product Support Manager (PSM) Guidebook | DOD | 2019-12-23 | Focuses on identifying, developing, implementing, incentivizing, and measuring quantifiable best value outcome-based product support solutions that optimize life cycle cost (LCC) and readiness and provides a tool for acquisition and sustainment organizations as they develop, implement or revalidate product support strategies. | |
| Test and Evaluation | Cybersecurity Test & Evaluation Guidebook | DOD | 2020-02-10 | This guidebook promotes data-driven mission-impact-based analysis and assessment methods for cybersecurity test and evaluation (T&E). It supports assessment of cybersecurity, survivability and resilience within a mission context by encouraging planning for tighter integration with traditional system T&E. | |
| Contract Management | Commercial Acquisition Resources: Examples Roles and References | DAU-DCMA | 2020-02-25 | Provides practical guidance for both Government and industry, empowering parties to better collect and evaluate commercial data when making a commercial determination. | |
| Program Management | Requirements Development Guidebook (Vol 4) Requirements Activities to Support Modification Proposals (v 4.2b) | AF/A5R | 2020-04-08 | This guide outlines the requirements activities necessary to support the management of modifications to fielded (in service) systems managed by the Air Force under the acquisition policies and procedures described in AFI 63-101/20-101, Chapter 9. | |
| Program Management | Earned Value Management "Gold Card" | DAU | 2020-06-01 | A one page guide to understanding EVMS structure, cost and schedule variances, and proactive project management. | |
| Program Management | Requirements Development Guidebook (Vol 5) Procedures for Middle Tier Acquisition Validation (v 4.3) | AF/A5R | 2020-06-24 | This guide outlines the requirements validation activities that support the middle tier of acquisition process, which is optimized to advance Air Force capabilities against the challenges outlined in the National Defense Strategy at a faster pace than the traditional/deliberate acquisition processes. | |
| Program Management | Requirements Development Guidebook (Vol 3) JCIDS Document Development (v 5.02) | AF/A5R | 2020-06-24 | This volume of the guidebook provides guidance for implementation of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development (JCIDS) document development process. | |
| Program Management | Requirements Development Guidebook (Vol 1) Policies & Guidelines (v 5.02) | AF/A5R | 2020-06-24 | This guidebook explains the framework for Air Force oversight and implementation of operational capability requirements development in support of overarching capability development efforts and in compliance with the main processes for “requirements” via the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS). | |
| Program Management | Requirements Development Guidebook (Vol 2) Urgent Needs Process (v 8.3) | AF/A5R | 2020-06-24 | This guidebook provides a description of the Air Force procedures regarding Urgent Operational Needs (UONs), Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUONs), and Joint Emergent Operational Needs (JEONs) as described in the JCIDS Manual (Urgent Process) and DoD Instruction 5000.02, Enclosure 13, Urgent Capability Acquisition. | |
| Program Management | Cybersecurity & Acquisition Lifecycle Integration Tool (CALIT) | DAU | 2020-06-26 | Effective integration of cybersecurity into the DOD acquisition lifecycle encompasses several different processes including the Defense Acquisition System (DODI 5000.02), cybersecurity, program protection, risk management, test and evaluation, and systems security engineering. CALIT provides the user with insight into these supporting processes and the ability to visualize how these processes work together to promote cyber resilient weapon systems. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Defense Acquisition Life Cycle Milestone Chart | DAU | 2020-08-27 | This chart illustrates decision points, milestones, and phases which are standard elements of the defense acquisition system; however, Milestone Decision Authorities, with program manager input, have full latitude to tailor programs in the most effective and efficient structure possible, unless constrained by statute. Interactive tailoring can be accomplished using DOD's Adaptive Acquisition Framework website. | |
| Contract Management | Standard Process for Contract Award (Sole Source) Version 4.3 | AFLCMC/AZ | 2020-09-17 | Describes the activities necessary to award a sole-source (non-competitive) contract following a request for proposal (RFP) release. The process is consistent with AFMC Mandatory Procedure (MP) 5304, 16 Jan 2018. | |
| Program Management | Agile and Earned Value Management - A Program Managers Desk Guide | DOD | 2020-11-17 | Agile philosophies promote rapid incremental product deliveries, provide flexibility to respond to changing requirements, and advocate close customer collaboration. EVMS practices still have their place. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Standard Process for Pre-Award Acquisition Strategy and Request for Proposal (RFP) Development Version 2.6 | AFLCMC/AQ | 2020-11-20 | Process document which provides a top-level road map to train the acquisition team in the development of their acquisition strategy and RFP and top-level metrics, ensuring industry responds appropriately to government requirements to best deliver systems or services that support USAF capabilities. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Contract Pricing Reference Guide (Volume 2) Quantitative Techniques for Contract Pricing | DAU | 2021-01-01 | Explores creating and using price indicies, cost/price volume analysis, statistical analysis, cost estimating relatationships, regression analysis, improvement curves, and other quantitative methods. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Contract Pricing Reference Guide (Volume 4) Advanced Issues in Contract Pricing | DAU | 2021-01-01 | Provides guidance on contract types, allowability, cost accounting standards, indirect cost rates, cost accounting systems, cost reporting, earned value management, defective pricing, equitable adjustments, and other issues. | |
| Product Support | Public-Private Partnering (PPP) for Product Support Guidebook | DOD-L&MR | 2021-01-12 | Provides best practices that facilitate public-private partnerships and frames the application of partnering in the remaining integrated product support elements encompassing the full scope of defense system product support activities. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Standard Process for Risk and Issue Management in Acquisition Programs, Ver 2 | AFLCMC/AZE | 2021-01-21 | Risk is a fundamental consideration from need identification until fielding of a materiel solution. This process standard defines a disciplined approach to risk management for acquisition programs acquiring weapon systems, information systems, system modifications, and related services. | |
| Product Support | Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) Guidebook | DOD-DSPO | 2021-01-28 | Provides best practices for implementing a robust and proactive diminishing manufacturing sources (DMS) and material shortages (MS) management program. | |
| Product Support | Standard Process for Logistics Health Assessment (LHA) Ver 1.12 | AFLCMC/LG | 2021-02-08 | Provides the life cycle community with a standard, tailorable, user friendly tool to report on and ensure long-term sustainment and availability considerations are identified and integrated into early program decisions and re-evaluated throughout the life cycle of the program/system. | |
| Product Support | Integrated Product Support (IPS) Elements Guidebook | DAU | 2021-03-01 | Picks up where the Product Support Manager Guidebook Appendix A left off in describing the new 12 IPS Elements in order to accommodate the expanded, enterprise-level role of the Product Support Manager. | |
| Cost Estimating/Pricing | Standard Process for Annual Program Office Cost Estimate (v 3.3) | AFLCMC/FZ | 2021-03-18 | An Annual Program Office Cost Estimate (POE) (also known as a Will-Cost estimate) is a documented point in time of the estimated total life cycle cost of directed acquisition program. Annual POEs are required each calendar year after the program’s Initial POE is approved. | |
| Program Management | Standard Process for Engineering Data Management, Version 6.0 | AFLCMC | 2021-03-20 | Describes the high-level actions to identify, acquire, collect, organize, review, approve and store engineering data (e.g., CAD data/models, model-based definition sets, Gerber data, specs, drawings, ICDs, verification plans and master bill of materials) that is required to support a program's acquisition strategy. | |
| Contract Management | Guidance for the Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS) | GSA/USN | 2021-05-01 | Presents the government-wide past performance process, which includes procedures for the collection and use of Past Performance Information (PPI) for all contracts/orders. CPARS provides for the exchange of PPI between contractors and contracting officers. | |
| Product Support | Standard Process for Product Support Business Case Analysis (PS-BCA) Ver 1.9 | AFLCMC | 2021-07-15 | Defines the AFLCMC PS BCA process—a structured methodology that aids decision making by identifying and comparing Course Of Action (COA) options by examining the mission and business impacts (both financial and non-financial), risks and sensitivities. | |
| Program Management | Unmanned System Safety Engineering Precepts Guide for DoD Acquisition | DOD | 2021-08-01 | Organized according to “precepts” in three categories – programmatic, design, and operational – the guide is intended to support the development and design of safe unmanned systems, associated safety significant software, support hardware and firmware, and Service safety reviews. | |
| Product Support | Standard Process For Life Cycle Sustainment Plans Version 8.0 | AFLCMC/LG-LZ | 2021-10-21 | The purpose of this standard process is to provide assistance and guidance to the Program Office (PO) to aid in the standardization of the development and coordination of program LCSPs across the center. | |
| Product Support | Standard Process for Life Cycle Sustainment Plan | AFLCMC/LG-LZ | 2020-10-15 | The LCSP describes the approach and resources necessary to develop and integrate sustainment requirements into the system's design, development, testing, deployment and sustainment phases while controlling overall program Total Ownership Costs (TOC). | |
| Program Management | Standard Process for Cybersecurity Assessment and Authorization (Ver 3.3) | AFLCMC/EZ | 2021-10-21 | Defines Cybersecurity Assessment and Authorization procedures for Information Systems (IS), Platform Information Technology (PIT), Information Technology (IT) Services, and IT products that are or will be assessed or assessed and authorized by Authorizing Officials within the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC). | |
| Product Support | DODI 5000.91 Product Support Management for the Adaptive Acquisition Framework | DOD | 2021-11-04 | Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for product support management to establish product support factors early in the requirements development and acquisition process to achieve effective and efficient weapon system capability and life cycle management. |
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| Acquisition Planning | Prototyping Guidebook Version 3.0 | OSD/R&E | 2021-11-18 | Components of the U.S. military have benefited from the use of prototyping for decades. Many organizations and their subject matter experts developed processes, methods, and tools that helped them succeed. This prototyping guidebook attempts to capture and consolidate these approaches, best practices, and recommendations into a single reference document for DOD. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Other Transactions (OT) Guide | DOD | 2023 07-08 | This updated Other Transaction (OT) Guide replaces the Nov 2018 version. It incorporates changes in statute and regulations, and DoD Inspector General and Government Accountability Office recommendations. The Guide also provides additional administrative guidance and best practices for reporting, funding, definitions, participation and validation of nontraditional defense contractors, and considerations for use of the OT consortia business model. | |
| Contract Management | Contract Finance Study Report | DOD | 2023-04-01 | In this study, DOD found that cost accounting standards (CAS) and government accounting system requirements are perceived as onerous and thus a barrier to attracting new businesses―they pertain in limited circumstances and impact less than one eighth of prime contractors. | |
| Acquisition Planning | Adaptive Acquisition Framework Interactive Resource | DOD | CURRENT | LINK | The goal of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF) is to empower innovation and common-sense decision making through the acquisition process, while also maintaining discipline in our practices and procedures. This interactive portal allows program managers to tailor acquisition strategies to achieve their objectives based on the capability being acquired. Numerous policies and guides are also available at the AAF. |
| Acquisition Planning | Contracting Cone | DOD | CURRENT | LINK | The Contracting Cone outlines the full spectrum of available FAR and Non-FAR contract strategies. Supporting materials provide details about each contracting strategy, to enable collaborative discussions to select the right strategy based on environment, constraints, and desired outcomes. The goal is to provide visibility into new or lesser known strategies and ensure the full range of contract strategies are considered. Part of DOD's Adaptive Acquisition Framework. |
| Program Management | Defense Acquisition Guidebook | DAU | CURRENT | LINK | Electronic guidebook designed to compliment DOD Directive 5000.01 and DOD Instruction 5000.02 by providing the acquisition workforce with discretionary best practices that should be tailored to the needs of each program. |
| Contract Management | Contracting Subway Map | DAU | CURRENT | LINK | The purpose of the subway map is to provide a generalized order of events in the acquisition contracting process. Topics are listed as stops on 4 different subway lines: Industry Engagement, Acquisition Planning, Solicitation, Proposal Evaluation, Contract Award, and Contract Administration. Hyperlinks provide access to related useful information. |
| Contract Management | Periodic Table of Acquisition Innovations | FAI | CURRENT | LINK | The government-wide acquisition knowledge management portal for innovative business practices and technologies. |
| Contract Management | Contracting Professionals Smart Guide | FAI | CURRENT | LINK | The guide is designed to help contracting professionals navigate over 50 activities that often occur in the contract formation and administration processes. For each activity, applicable tasks are identified along with a flow chart showing the sequence of the tasks. The descriptions are in a table format that lists relevant tasks, FAR references, and additional information. Links are included to access additional guidance and related training available from FAI and DAU. |
| Program Management | Glossary of Defense Acquisition Acronyms and Terms | DAU | CURRENT | LINK | The DAU Glossary, also referred to as the Glossary of Defense Acquisition Acronyms and Terms, reflects most acronyms, abbreviations, and terms commonly used in the systems acquisition process within the DoD and defense industries. |