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Definition
To determine the preferred support system alternative(s) for each system/equipment alternative and to participate in alternative system tradeoffs to determine the best approach (support, design, and operation) which satisfies the need with the best balance between cost, schedule, performance, readiness, and supportability.
General/Information/Narrative
Tradeoffs between the support system alternatives identified for the new system/equipment are conducted to identify the support approach which best satisfies requirements. A support system is defined as a composite of all the resources that must be acquired for operating and maintaining a system throughout its life cycle. These tradeoffs are conducted by using a model or manual procedure which relates the design, operation, and logistic support resource factors of alternatives to the supportability requirements for the system/equipment. Alternatives can then be ranked and the sensitivity of the results to changes in key design, operation, or support factors can be determined. Results, including the rationale for selection and rejection of alternatives, should be documented for subsequent iterations and refinements. Tradeoff analysis results, both between support alternatives and between support, design, and operational alternatives, become a prime data input into the system decision process. As such, the tradeoff analysis results must include identification of assumptions and risks involved.
Just as with the acquisition system, maximum program manager and contractor flexibility to make cost/performance trade-offs for the support system is essential to achieving cost objectives. The program manager may treat the difference between an objective and its associated threshold as a tradeoff or "trade space," subject to agreement by the user. Cost, schedule, performance and supportability may be traded within the trade space between the objective and the threshold without obtaining Milestone Decision Authority approval. Trade-offs outside the trade space (i.e., decisions that result in acquisition program parameter changes) require approval of both the Milestone Decision Authority and the capability needs approval authority. Validated key performance parameters may not be traded-off without approval by the validation authority. The program manager and the user should work together on all trade-off decisions
Tradeoff analysis between design, operational, and support alternatives is an inherent part of system development. Optimum benefits are realized when these analyses are conducted considering all system factors (cost, schedule, performance, and supportability) before the system is finalized. The nature of the tradeoff models and techniques used and the magnitude, scope, and level of detail of the analysis will depend upon both the acquisition phase and the system complexity. Tradeoffs early in the program will generally be interdisciplinary and broad in scope. As development progresses, tradeoffs are progressively refined, inputs become more specific, and outputs influence a smaller number of related parameters.
Policies, Directives, Regulations, Laws
DODI 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System
Best Practices, Lessons Learned, Stories, Guides, Handbooks, Templates, Example Tools, Communities of Practice, LEC Tools
Defense Acquisition Guidebook: https://acc.dau.mil/adl/en-US/350719/file/49150/dag_08-05-10pdf
MIL-STD-1388-1A, Logistic Support Analysis (Cancelled).
The Computerized Optimization Model for Predicting and Analyzing Support Structures (COMPASS) is a system Level of Repair Analysis (LORA) modeling tool. LORA is the analytical methodology used to determine the maintenance repair levels where items should be removed and replaced; and ultimately repaired or discarded. COMPASS estimates the cost to repair or discard items at various maintenance levels, with contractor facilities included as a separate level. COMPASS optimizes both the maintenance and support to achieve your target operational availability (Ao). COMPASS can consider up to four levels of organic maintenance (supports Two-Level Maintenance studies), supply support, and contractor support. You can also use COMPASS output data as a source for developing the MAC and SMR codes. COMPASS is a free tool available to both DoD and contractors at: https://www.logsa.army.mil/lec/compass/.
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. In addition to life-cycle cost estimation, CASA can perform trade-offs, production rate, warranty effectiveness, and other economic analyses. 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/.
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