Independent Logistics Assessment Guidebook

An Independent Logistics Assessment (ILA) is an analysis of a program’s product support planning conducted by an independent and impartial team of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) not directly associated with the program being assessed. An ILA is not a compliance audit, but an effective and valid assessment of a program’s product support strategy (PSS), as well as an assessment of how this strategy leads to the successful fielding, operation, and sustainment of a system at an affordable cost. As part of the ILA, statutory, regulatory, and Component-required documentation is reviewed and assessed prior to the acquisition decision point or milestone decision. ILAs are required for major weapon systems for Milestones B and C and the Full Rate Production decision. 

An ILA focuses on product support outcomes as identified by the PSS, as well as identifying features that are likely to drive future operating and support (O&S) costs, changes to system design that could reduce these costs, and effective strategies for managing these costs through a comprehensive review of the twelve Integrated Product Support (IPS) elements, product support budgeting and funding, and environmental safety and occupational health. It is important to conduct ILA(s) early in the program life cycle when the design can be influenced with the intent of achieving effective and efficient weapon system capability and life cycle management. Re-assessing the PSS at subsequent milestones and decision points and periodically thereafter as the design matures, is critical to fielding a sustainable system.  

Additional information on Independent Logistics Assessments is available in LOG 0160 Independent Logistics Assessments (ILA) and LOG 3400V Life Cycle Product Support training courses, as well as an ACQuipedia article entitled "Independent Logistics Assessments (ILA)."   
 

NOTE ON VIDEO: Since this video was created, there have been changes to statute, policy, and guidance. 10 U.S.C. 2337 was renumbered as 10 U.S.C. 4324 and the term "major weapon system" replaced by "covered system." However, 10 U.S.C. 4325 (formerly 2337a), which addresses ILAs, still uses the term "major weapon system." The policy contained with DoDI 5000.02 Enclosure 6 now resides in DoDI 5000.91. The Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG) was superseded by a number of functionally-aligned guidebooks, including an updated Product Support Manager (PSM) Guidebook. Finally, the new 2023 version of the guidebook is titled "Independent Logistics Assessment Guidebook."   
 

Product Support Analytical Tools Database Information

Processes Supported

• Configuration Management (CM)
• Digital Product Support
• Diminishing Manufacturing Sources & Material Shortages (DMSMS)
• Life Cycle Logistics
• Life Cycle Management
• Life Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP)
• Independent Logistics Assessment (ILA)
• Manpower Planning  
• Operating & Support (O&S) Cost Estimating
• Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)  
• Product Support Business Case Analysis (BCA)
• Risk Assessment  
• Sustainment Reviews (SR)
• Supply Chain Management (SCM)
• Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) Overview  
• Product Support Analysis (PSA)
• Technical Data Package   
   

Departments Associated

• Army
• Navy / Marine Corps
• Air Force/ Space Force   
   

Integrated Product Support Elements Addressed

• Product Support Management  
• Supply Support  
• Sustaining Engineering  
• Maintenance Planning and Management  
• Design Interface  
• Support Equipment  
• Manpower & Personnel  
• IT Systems Continuous Support  
• Facilities & Infrastructure  
• Packaging, Handling, Storage & Transportation  
• Technical Data  
• Training & Training Support   
   

This document is part of an Integrated Product Support Guidebook Suite and serves as an important resource for defense acquisition workforce members to use in crafting and successfully executing life cycle product support and sustainment strategies.