Analysts need extensive information about an acquisition program in order to estimate its cost to the detail required by the various display formats identified in the life-cycle cost model. This information is provided in the document known as the Cost Analysis Requirements Description (CARD). The CARD is a complete description of the system at a level of detail appropriate for calculating costs. It is intended to define the program to a sufficient level of detail such that no confusion exists between the many parties who may be concerned with estimating the program’s cost. A specific format for the CARD is not required by OSD CAPE, however, the CAPE has authority to reject any CARD submission that it deems is not sufficient in detail. DoDI 5000.73 provides guidance regarding CARD preparations and submissions.

The DoD component sponsoring the acquisition program is responsible for preparation of the CARD, in coordination with appropriate IPT members. Generally, a CARD is complex enough that no one skill set in a program office knows enough to develop the CARD correctly. It needs significant input from engineers, logisticians, testers and others in the Program Management Office (PMO). The CARD must be approved by an authority no lower than a Component Program Executive Officer. The CARD should be considered a “living document”, that is updated in preparation for all milestone and program reviews, if not annually. The updates reflect any changes that have occurred, or new data that have become available, since the previous milestone or program review.

A CARD is required whenever the CAPE is involved in the acquisition process. This includes the preparation of

1. Independent Cost Estimate (ICE) for Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP) and Major Automated Information System (MAIS)
   1. Milestone A
   2. Cost Analysis for Development Request for Proposal Release Decision Point (not required by statute)
   3. Milestone B
   4. Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and/or Milestone C
   5. Full Rate Production (FRP)
   6. Any certification for critical Nunn-McCurdy breaches
   7. Post-Initial Operational Capability (IOC)
   8. Any other time the DCAPE considers it appropriate for that program
2. Multiyear Procurement (MYP) Certification.

A draft version of the CARD is required 180 days prior to the milestone or decision review and the final version is required 45 days prior to the milestone or decision review.