The Department of Defense (DoD) Acquisition system is directed by DoD Instruction 5000.02 “Operation of the Defense Acquisition System”. This instruction provides the policies and principles that govern the defense acquisition system and the phases that form the foundation for all DoD programs. It also identifies the specific statutory and regulatory reports and other information requirements for each phase and Milestone. The DoD calls the system an event based process where a program goes thru a series of phases, milestones and reviews from beginning to end. Each milestone is the culmination of a phase were it’s determined if a program will process into the next phase.
The purpose of MSA Phase A is to analyze all potential material solutions for an identified need stated in an Initial Capabilities Document (ICD). The phases consist of an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) and Material Solution Analysis activities to include measures of effectiveness, cost estimates, schedule, concept of operations and risk. The goal of this phase is to recommend possible solutions for further exploration in the Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction (TMRR) Phase.
The purpose of the TMRR phase is to reduce technology risks and to determine the appropriate set of technologies to be integrated into a future system that satisfies the needs in an ICD. This phase will consist of risk reduction, cost estimations and programmatic activities. The goal of this phase is to reduce the technology risk to an acceptable level, have a defined set of requirements in a Capability Development Document (CDD) and a preliminary acquisition strategy to start an official program in the next phase.
Phase EMD is the start of an official program. The purpose of this phase is the development of a capability. This phase starts after a Milestone B review and consists of two efforts, Integrated System Design (ISD) and System Capability and Manufacturing Process Demonstration (SC&MP). It also contains a Critical Design Review (CDR) Assessment at the conclusion of the ISD effort. The goal of this phase is to complete the engineering development of a capability or system and proceed into production and development.
The purpose of the PD Phase is to achieve an operational capability that satisfies the users and mission needs. This phase consist of two efforts: Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) and Full-Rate Production Decision Review (FRPDR). The phase will also include operational testing of the capability to determine its effectiveness.
The purpose of the OS Phase is Life-Cycle Sustainment and Disposal. This phase is initiated by the deployment of the first fielded system of a program. The Life-Cycle Sustainment efforts overlap the FRPDR effort of the Production and Development Phase. The phase ends with the final disposal of a system.