Defense Acquisition July-August 2021

Creating Incentivized Agile Contracts

J. Timothy Freihofer, David Dotson, and Rhonda Maus

Contracting officers can use Agile terms and available acquisition flexibilities to take advantage of Agile’s time, schedule, and cost benefits. 

The Four C’s for Successful Other Transactions

Stephen Speciale and Danny Poskey

Other Transactions are booming in the Department of Defense, especially for science, technology, and research and development. Modernized contracting instruments facilitate engagement with industry and response to emerging threats. 

Resolving Data-Rights Markings—A Legal Battlefield

Stephanie Burris and Howard Harris

Issues often arise about nonconforming data-rights markings. Examples include guidance on making corrections and where to get more help. 

Toward a Performance- and Quality-Based Adaptive Acquisition Framework—AAF Meets International Standards

Eugene A. Razzetti

Under the Adaptive Acquisition Framework, DoD tells contractors what capability it wants, and lets them determine how to provide it. Challenges remain in policing the contracts and creating quality products. 

Model-Based Engineering for Product Support

Shawn D. Harrison, PMP

Weapon systems are largely designed (or modified) using Model-Based Engineering. Therefore, three-dimension models should help significantly improve availability and reliability. 

Be Strategic! Leverage Technology Insertion and Refreshment on DMSMS Issues

Jay Mandelbaum and Christina Patterson

Planned system modifications to improve performance, reliability, maintainability, or supportability can resolve problems of diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages. 

Additive Manufacturing—The Advantages and the Challenges

John Schmelzle, P.E.

Additive manufacturing facilitates rapid fabrication of complex components when and where needed. It also can consolidate assemblies, reduce mass, and create intricate geometries for enhanced fluid flow or heat transfer. 

Modern Collaborative Schedule Management for Everyone

LTC Ty LaStrapes, USA

Program managers need a tool to formalize all program-scheduling aspects. Current techniques are prone to configuration errors, are not collaborative or scalable, and often foster stovepipes and use of gatekeepers. 

MDAP/MAIS Program Manager Changes