Air Force Policy and Guidance
Policy & Guidance
Department of the Air Force Instruction 63-101 / 20-101 states that “product support is a continuous and collaborative set of activities that establishes and maintains readiness and the operational capability of a system, subsystem, or end-item throughout its life cycle. A product support strategy is built around the integrated product support elements as identified in the DoD Product Support Manager Guidebook to integrate the phases of a system throughout its life cycle. The product support strategy is the business and technical approach to design, acquire, test, and field the product support package to execute the sustainment strategy. It begins as a broad concept and evolves into a detailed implementation plan that is documented in the LCSP.” It goes on to state that “Performance based life cycle product support or Performance Based Logistics strategies are to be employed when analysis indicates that they can effectively reduce cost and improve performance." Furthermore, "Product support considerations begin prior to Milestone A (or equivalent) with early requirements determination and continue through system design, development, operational use, retirement, and disposal." Finally, "The Product Support Business Model (PSBM) ... describes the program's methodology to achieve optimized product support balancing weapon system availability with affordable and predictable total ownership cost. The PM has substantial discretion in implementing the PSBM by developing performance-based agreements with warfighters/users, Product Support Integrator (PSIs), and Product Support Provider (PSPs).”
Department of the Air Force Pamphlet 63-123: Product Support Business Case Analysis, outlines when a PSBCA is required, the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders involved, and special considerations for the Air Force.
Air Force Instruction 65-508: Cost Analysis Guidance and Procedures provides specific instruction on implementing conducting cost analyses.
According to its executive summary, the Air Force Contract Sustainment Support Guide (CSSG) “is intended to be used by USAF personnel involved in life cycle management processes to help reduce and control cost and risk when procuring products or services. The CSSG provides recommendations based on best practices (BPs) that are mapped to Air Force Product Support Elements and Air Force Cost Analysis Improvement Group (AF CAIG) elements. Each BP includes a look into uses and implementation of the BP and how it can be applied to government program management support and contracting practices for all phases of a system/product’s life cycle. Associated recommendations on how to implement the BPs are also provided to include references and related policies. Performance metrics are included and can be used to measure efforts in obtaining contract and sustainment goals. This document is organized into four main sections and appendices to allow program teams to understand the basis of the information, develop strategies, and use its content. Among the sixteen commercial and seven government best practices identified is Commercial Best Practice #2 - Performance Based Logistics (PBL) Contracting, among numerous others that have potential applicability to a PBL product support arrangement.
The tri-fold provides information on PBL types, performance outcomes, a flow diagram, and additional resources.
The guidebook serves as a "how-to" process guide to accelerate development and execution of PBL strategies.
US Air Force Learning Assets & References
These documents are a series of learning assets developed by the Air Force in conjunction with the University of Tennessee. These learning assets were commissioned to provide more detailed guidance on the implementation of performance-based life cycle product support and are applicable to the USAF and the other Services.
- USAF Learning Asset “The Tenets of PBL: Second Edition: Best Practice Elements in Performance-Based Life Cycle Product Support Management”, DTD June 2012
- USAF Learning Asset “The Tenets of PBL: Second Edition: A Guidebook to the Best Practices Elements in Performance-Based Life Cycle Product Support Management,” DTD June 2012
- USAF Learning Asset “PBL Decision Framework: Linking Policy, Process, & Best Practice Elements in Performance-Based Life Cycle Product Support Management,” DTD June 2012
- USAF Learning Asset “PBL Contracting Insights: Best Practices Elements in Performance-Based Logistics Contracts: Second Edition,” DTD June 2012
- USAF Learning Asset “Business Case Analysis: Policy Insights and Discussion: Best Practice Elements in Performance-Based Life Cycle Product Support Management,” DTD July 2012