Support System Standardization Requirements
Definition
The determination of supportability and supportability related design constraints for the new system/equipment based on existing and planned logistic support resources which have benefits due to cost, manpower, personnel, readiness, or support policy considerations, and to provide input into mission hardware and software standardization efforts.
General/Information/Narrative
Standardization is the process by which DoD achieves the closest practicable cooperation among forces, the most efficient use of research, development, and production resources, and the agreement to maximize the use of common, compatible, and interchangeable technical procedures, supplies, components, weapons, or equipment. Interoperability is the ability of systems, units, or forces to provide services to or accept services from other systems, units, or forces and to use the services to enable them to operate effectively together.
Interoperability should be developed in accordance with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction (CJCSI) 3170.01A and 6212.01B. Interoperability constraints will form the basis interoperability Key Performance Parameters (KPPs). For the acquisition community, the interoperability requirements established in the requirements process shall be allocated from the requirements documents to the individual systems through the system engineering process.
The Program Manager is required to investigate and incorporate standardization and interoperability (S&I) considerations into a program early in the acquisition cycle. The Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) program objectives include improving logistics S&I of materiel within DA, other Services, and Allied Nations. The Milestone Decision Authority shall make decisions on individual programs in the context of the family of systems. Those decisions shall be supported by the information provided by the Program Manger in the Acquisition Strategy.
For commercial or non-developmental items, it is important to note that the traditional approach of influencing design to minimize support requirements is not generally available. The ILS Manager must be effective in quantifying supportability goals and constraints and including them in the performance specification to properly influence source selection. Commercial logistics products and processes will be evaluated during the source selection process to determine their utility to the user and data requirements for the production contract. Commercial support systems will be utilized to the maximum extent possible, taking into consideration cost, readiness, and wartime sustainability.
In many cases, utilization of existing logistic support resources (common items of supply, common training, etc.) can substantially reduce life cycle cost, enhance readiness, minimize the impact of introduction of the new system/equipment, and increase the mobility of the operational unit using the new system/equipment.
Policies, Directives, Regulations, Laws
CJCSI 3170.01A, Requirements Generation System
CJCSI 6212.01B, Interoperability and Supportability of National Security Systems, and Information Technology Systems
Army Regulation 700-127, Integrated Logistics Support
Best Practices, Lessons Learned, Stories, Guides, Handbooks, Templates, Example Tools, Communities of Practice, LEC Tools
MIL-STD-1388-1A, Logistic Support Analysis (Cancelled)
PowerLOG produces the Support Equipment Requirements (LSA-007) report, Support Equipment Recommendation Data (SERD) report (LSA-070), as well as the Support Equipment Tool List (LSA-074) all of which support this activity. PowerLOG is a logistics data management system developed to support the development, integration, and review of logistic product information throughout the acquisition life cycle. PowerLOG implements the Logistics Support Analysis Record (LSAR) requirements defined in MIL-STD-1388-2B as well as Logistics Product Data (LPD) standards defined by GEIA-STD-0007. PowerLOG also supports legacy data standards such as MIL-STD-1552 (PMR). PowerLOG is available free to all Government agencies and their contractors and can be obtained by visiting: https://www.logsa.army.mil/lec/powerlog/.
The Cost Analysis Strategy Assessment (CASA) Life-Cycle Cost Estimating Software uses an engineering cost model to estimate total cost of ownership based on RDT&E, Acquisition/Procurement, O&S, and Disposal activities. CASA can help compare the costs of utilizing existing support system resources versus the development of a new support system. CASA is distributed freely to all US personnel. Request from foreign nations for CASA and associated training and technical support are handled through a Foreign Military Sales Case (FMS). CASA can be obtained here: https://www.logsa.army.mil/lec/casa/.
Training Resources
Related Articles
Required for:
All acquisition Programs
Responsible Activity:
Definition General Info Policies Guides Communities Training Related