Module 1 - System Acquisition Management

Question 1

What is the primary objective of the Systems Acquisition Management process?

Answer 1

Provide measurable improvements in mission capabilities

Question 2

Which institutions designs, produces, supports and upgrades defense systems?

Answer 2

Industry

Question 3

Who provides an independent assessment of the effectiveness and suitability of new weapon systems?

Answer 3

Director, operational Test & Evaluation (DOT&E)

Question 4

DoDI 5000.85

Answer 4

Major Capability Acquisition: establishes policy and prescribes procedures that guide the acquisition of major capability acquisition programs including:
* Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPS)
* Other programs categorized as acquisition category (ACAT) I
* Major systems, usually categorized as ACAT II
* Automated information systems (AIS) (Not managed by other acquisition pathways)
* Other capabilities developed via the major capability acquisition pathway

Question 5

ACAT I Thresholds

Answer 5

RDT&E >$525M or Proc >$3.065B (FY20 dollars)

Question 6

ACAT II Thresholds

Answer 6

RDT&E $525M>$200M or Proc $3.065B>$920M (FY20 dollars)

Question 7

ACAT II Thresholds

Answer 7

RDT&E <$200M or Proc <$920M (FY20 dollars)

Question 8

Overarching IPT (OIPT)

Answer 8

• Program and Process Oversight and Review
• Guidance, Program Assessment, and Resolve Issues.

Question 9

Working Level IPT

Answer 9

*Identify and Resolve Program Issues
*Determine Program Status
*Seek and Pursue Opportunities.

Question 10

Program Level IPT

Answer 10

• Execute the Program
• Collaborate with Government and Industry
• Systems Engineering
• Logistics
• Testing and Evaluation
• Contracting
• Business and Finance
• Resource Sponsors

Question 11

Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) applies to who and guides/directs mangers to do what?

Answer 11

FAR applies to the entire Federal Government unless the DoD states otherwise. The FAR guides and directs DoD Program Managers in:
* Acquisition Planning
* Competition Requirements
* Contract Award Procedures
* Warranties

Question 12

Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) applies to who and guides/directs mangers to do what?

Answer 12

DFARS only applies to the DoD. The DFARS contain:
* Requirements of law
* DoD-wide policies
* Delegations of FAR authorities
* Deviations from FAR requirements
* Policies/procedures that have a significant effect on the public

Question 13

System

Answer 13

Includes all of the elements needed to assist DoD in its mission of deterring or winning a war (HW, SW, Logistic support, personnel)

Question 14

Acquisition

Answer 14

DoD acquires goods and services from contractors, federal arsenals, and shipyards to support military operations

Question 15

Management

Answer 15

Includes the tasks required to complete a specific project:
* Planning and Documentation
* Budgeting
* Organizing and Staffing
* Controlling Risk
* Leading

Question 16

Primary Objective of Systems Acquisition Management

Answer 16

• Satisfy the needs of operational users
• Provide measurable improvements in mission
• Acquire systems in a timely manner at a fair and reasonable cost

Question 17

Component-Unique FAR Supplements

Answer 17

Like DFARS, component-unique FAR supplements only apply to the DoD

Question 18

DoDD 5000.01

Answer 18

The Defense Acquisition System: states the policies and principles that guide all defense acquisition programs and identifies the DoD key acquisition officials and forums

Question 19

DoDI 5000.02

Answer 19

Operation of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF): applies to all systems and services acquired via the Defense Acquisition System (DAS):
* AAF supports DAS with delivering effective, suitable, survivable, sustainable, and affordable solutions in a timely manner
* Milestone Decision Authorities (MDAs), other Decision Authorities (DAs), and Program Managers (PMs) have broad authority to plan and manage their programs with sound business practice
* AAF pathways provide opportunities for MDAs and PMs to develop strategies that match characteristics of the capability being acquired

Question 20

Executive Branch Responsibilities

Answer 20

• Issue directives and regulations
• formulate, direct, and execute national security policy

Question 21

Legislative Branch Responsibilities

Answer 21

• Set resource ceilings
• Provide Budget Authority for the Department of Defense

Question 22

Defense Industry Responsibility

Answer 22

Design, produce, support, and upgrade defense systems

Question 23

Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) and Deputy Secretary of Defense

Answer 23

Created by the National Security Act of 1947 to head DoD
Principle responsibilities:
* Principal assistant to the President in all matters relating to National Secuity
* General policies and programs for military departments and agencies
* Exercising direction, authority, and control over those entities

Question 24

Defense Acquisition Board (DAB)

Answer 24

Senior level defense forum, responsibilities include:
* Advising the USD(A&S) on critical decisions concerning designation acquisition programs
* Holding formal meetings to review accomplishments to assess readiness to proceed
* Addressing issues such as cost growth, schedule delays, and failure to attain technical thresholds
* reviews result in USD(A&S) decision documented in ADM

Question 25

Undersecretary of Defense Comptroller (USD(C))

Answer 25

Responsibilities include: * Budgeting and Execution phases of PPBE * Controlling the budget * Releasing Funds

Question 26

Director, Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation (DCAPE)

Answer 26

Responsibilities include: * Analyzing and advising on matters relating to PPBE System * Formulating study guidance for and performance of AoAs for MDAPs * Overseeing review, analysis, and evaluation of programs for executing approved strategies and policies * Ensuring that program info is presented accurately and completely * Assessing the effect of spending by the DoD on the US economy

Question 27

Undersecretary of Defense for Policy

Answer 27

Responsibilities include: * Providing responsive, forward thinking and insightful policy advice to ensure the alignment of DoD plans and National security objectives * Approve certain aspects of programs involving other nations * Maintaining responsibility for Defense Planning Guidance (DPG) during the planning face of PPBE

Question 28

Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E)

Answer 28

Responsibilities include: * Provide independent assessment of the operational effectiveness and suitability of new weapon systems * Sending OT&E reports directly to the SECDEF and Congress

Question 29

Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (USD(A&S))

Answer 29

Responsibilities include: * Serving as the principal staff assistance and advisor to the SECDEF for everything related to DoD Acquisition: *Research and Development * Advance Tech * Development and production * Test and Eval * Logisitics and procurement * Installation management and MILCON * Environment security * Nuclear, chemical, and biological matters

Question 30

Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E))

Answer 30

Responsibilities include: * Chief tech Officer for DoD including development and oversight of tech strategy * Developing breakthrough capabilities to hedge against future uncertainties * Advising and assisting with rapid technology transitions

Question 31

What is Risk

Answer 31

measure of future uncertainties in achieving program performance goals and objectives within defined cost, schedule, and performance constraints

Question 32

Cost Risks

Answer 32

* Increases in material prices * Higher than anticipated labor rates * Regulatory compliance associated with Environment, Safety, Occupational Health (ESOH) * Other factors that can change current program cost estimates

Question 33

Schedule Risks

Answer 33

* Late Deliveries * Political pressure * Changing capability needs * Lack of planning for compliance with ESOH laws and regs

Question 34

Technical Risks

Answer 34

* Use of new material or processes * Use of unproven tech * Use of new applications to meet demanding user capability needs * System designs unable to accommodate human performance characteristics for operation and maintenance

Question 35

Four Risk Strategies

Answer 35

* Control * Transfer * Avoid * Accept

Question 36

Integrated Product Teams (IPTs)

Answer 36

* Multidisciplinary group of people who are collectively responsibile for delivering a defined product or process * Composed of reps from all appropriate functional disciplines working together to: - Build successful programs - Identify and resolve issues - Make sound and timely recommendations to facilitate decision making

Question 37

Six Pathways in the Adaptive Acquisition Framework

Answer 37

* Urgent Capability Acquisition * Middle Tier of Acquisition * Major Capability Acquisition * Software Acquisition * Defense Business Systems * Acquisition of Services

Question 38

Three Major decision support systems

Answer 38

* Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) * Planning Programming Budgeting and Execution (PPBE) System * Defense Acquisition System (DAS)