ACQ 0150 Middle Tier of Acquisition

What is the purpose of Rapid Prototyping?

Provide for the use of innovative technologies to rapidly develop field-able prototypes to demonstrate new capabilities and meet emerging military needs.

What is the purpose of Rapid Fielding?

Provide for the use of proven technologies to field production quantities of new or upgraded systems with minimal development required.

What is the objective of Rapid Prototyping?

Field a prototype that can be demonstrated in an operational environment and provide for residual operational capacity within five years of the development of an approved requirement.

What is the objective of Rapid Fielding?

Begin production with six months and complete fielding within five years of the development of an approved requirement.

What does Rapid Prototyping start with?

A merit-based process for the consideration of innovative technologies and new capabilities to meet needs communicated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combatant commanders.

What does Rapid Fielding start with?

A merit-based process for the consideration of existing products and proven technologies to meet the needs communicated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the combatant commanders.

What does Rapid Prototyping include?

1) Developing and implementing acquisition and funding strategies
2) Process for demonstrating and evaluating the performance of fieldable prototypes developed pursuant to the program in an operational environment
3) Transitioning successful prototypes to new or existing acquisition programs and fielding under the rapid fielding pathway or the traditional acquisition system

What does Rapid Fielding include?

1) Demonstrating performance and evaluating for current operational purposes products and technologies
2) Developing and implementing acquisition and funding strategies for the program
3) Considering life cycle costs and addressing issues of logistics support and system interoperability
4) Opportunities to reduce total ownership costs

Are middle tier acquisitions subject to Joint Capabilities Integration and Development system Manual (JCIDS) and Department of Defense Directive 5000.01?

No; except to the extent specifically provided in guidance.

Does the term "Major Defense Acquisition Program" include an acquisition or project that is carried out using the rapid fielding or rapid prototyping acquisition pathway?

No.

Middle Tier acquisitions are NOT subject to what two things?

1) Manual for the Operation of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS)
2) DoD 5000.2 "Operations of the Defense Acquisition System" dated Aug 10, 2017

It is required by law to provide a merit-based process to consider which two things?

New technologies & Capabilities to meet warfighter needs.

Who is responsible for cost reporting waivers for all Middle Tier Programs?

Deputy Director of Cost Assessment.

Funding for middle tier acquisition will use what process?

Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution.

Who must PEOs and PMs keep informed of additional schedule acceleration that may be achieved if additional funding becomes available?

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Plans, Programs, and Resources) (DASA(PP&R))

Program Managers (PMs) should answer what question?

"Why not 804?"

How many days does the OSD have to overturn component 804 designations?

What is the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS)?

The DoD process which defines acquisition requirements.

List major differences between the traditional and rapid acquisition processes.

1) Early Integration of Cost Community
2) Constant communication
3) Data transparency
4) Evolving models & estimates

When do Middle Tier Prototyping Milestone Reviews occur?

At the discretion of the MDA and PM

What type of statutory reporting is required for Middle Tier Prototyping?

There is no MDAP statutory reporting.

Is Middle Tier Prototyping AML Exempt?

Yes; unless otherwise directed.

At what thresholds is Cost Reporting required?

For programs over $100M and contracts over $20M (investment PoP only)