Preliminary Design Review (PDR)
Definition
A multi-disciplined technical review to ensure that a system is ready to proceed into detailed design and can meet stated performance requirements within cost (program budget), schedule (program schedule), risk, and other system constraints.
General/Information/Narrative
Generally, this review assesses the system preliminary design as captured in performance specifications for each configuration item in the system (allocated baseline), and ensures that each function in the functional baseline has been allocated to one or more system configuration items. Normally conducted during the Technology Development phase (TD) phase, but may also be conducted early in the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase. (DoDI 5000.02) See Functional Baseline and Allocated Baseline.
The PDR is a technical assessment establishing the physically allocated baseline to ensure that the system under review has a reasonable expectation of being judged operationally effective and suitable. This review assesses the allocated design documented in subsystem product specifications for each configuration item in the system and ensures that each function, in the functional baseline, has been allocated to one or more system configuration items. The PDR establishes the allocated baseline (hardware, software, human/support systems) and underlying architectures to ensure that the system under review has a reasonable expectation of satisfying the requirements within the currently allocated budget and schedule.
The implementation of the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009 (see Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) 09-027 – Implementation of the Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009) directs the following:
a.) PDRs before MS B are mandatory for all Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) and will be reflected in the Technology Development Strategy (TDS) to be approved by the Milestone Decision Authority at Milestone A. Post-PDR assessments will be conducted in association with MS B preparations and will be formally considered by the Milestone Decision Authority at the Milestone B certification review.
b.) The timing of PDRs for other than MDAPs will be approved by the DoD Component MDA when consistent with TDS or Acquisition Strategy objectives. When the PDR is conducted before MS B, a post-PDR assessment will be conducted in association with the MS B review and formally considered by the MDA at the MS B review. If the PDR is conducted after MS B, the MDA will conduct a post-PDR assessment at a time reflected in the approved acquisition strategy.
c.) PDR before MS B is now a statutory requirement for MDAPs. The post-PDR assessment will be conducted during the MS B review, and prior to the section 2366b certification by the MDA per title 10, Unites States Code.
The PDR is conducted after preliminary design efforts, but before start of detail design. This review is the first opportunity for the Government to closely observe the Contractor's hardware and software design. The Contractor is expected to describe all design changes made with respect to the original design disclosed in the technical proposal and to provide rationale for the changes. The contractor may also provide a hardware or hands-on demonstration of some of the preliminary designs to better illustrate important aspects.
Policies, Directives, Regulations, Laws
Weapon Systems Acquisition Reform Act of 2009
United States Code Title 10 § 2366b
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
PowerLOG supports this activity by tracking the parts breakdown of a system using LCNs (LSAR Control Number), PLISNs (Provisioning List Item Sequence Number), and NHAs (Next Higher Assembly). The Bill of Materials (LSA-080 BOM) and Provisioning Parts Breakout (LSA-154) provide reports related to the baseline configuration in this phase of the acquisition life cycle. 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. 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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