Following up on a previous blog announcing the publishing of the revised DoD Performance Based Logistics (PBL) Guidebook, wanted to highlight an excerpt from Table 1-6, PBL Considerations by AAF Pathway, for the non-Major Capability Acquisition pathways:

• Urgent Capability Acquisition (UCA): The emphasis on speed may preclude the development and execution of a PBL solution depending on the complexity of the component, subsystem, or system and necessary product support arrangements. A Disposition Determination to transition to Sustainment or a Program of Record may signal an opportunity to more closely examine a PBL solution.
• Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA): A Rapid Prototyping program’s emphasis on speed and use of innovative technologies may preclude a near-term PBL solution; however, with an Outcome Determination (OD) transitioning to Sustainment, the benefits of a PBL solution should be examined.  A Rapid Fielding program, which focuses on mature technologies, may represent a greater opportunity to develop a PBL solution with an OD transition to Sustainment or if a commercial performance-based arrangement could be leveraged for DoD use.
• Software Acquisition: Stand-alone software pathway programs may represent an opportunity for a PBL solution just like hardware systems developed under the MCA or other pathways. Specific attention should be given to identifying outcome metrics for Agile processes.
• Defense Business Systems: The Capability Support Phase of the DBS lifecycle should consider PBL arrangements to deliver DBS outcomes and be documented in the Capability Support Plan.
• Acquisition of Services: For services supporting DoD systems (particularly weapon systems), the 7-step Acquisition of Services process can easily accommodate analysis (and execution of) a PBL approach. For example, Contractor Operated and Maintained Base Supply (COMBS) and contract maintenance services should consider PBL as an effective and affordable strategy.

To hear more about the new guidebook, encourage readers to register for the 8 Nov 23 web event “Intellectual Property Considerations for Performance Based Logistics” hosted by Ms Lisa P. Smith, DASD(PS), and including a panel of experts discussing PBL and answering your questions in a facilitated Q&A session at the end.