Major Capability Acquisition (MCA)

The purpose of the Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) pathway is to acquire and modernize military unique programs that provide enduring capability.  The pathway provides a structured process designed to support major defense acquisition programs, major systems, and other complex acquisitions.  "Structured," however, does not mean rigid. 

A principal tenet of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework is to tailor acquisition approaches consistent with the urgency and characteristics of the capability being acquired.  In keeping with that intent, and the  direction in DoD Instruction 5000.85, paragraph 3.2., MCA program managers will "tailor-in" the regulatory information they will use to manage their program.  Statutory requirements identified in the MCA program information tables may not be waived unless permitted by the relevant statute.