7.3.2. Mandatory Policies
7.3.2.1. DoD Directive 4630.05, "Interoperability and Supportability of Information Technology (IT) and National Security Systems (NSS)"
7.3.2.2. DoD Instruction 4630.8, "Procedures for Interoperability and Supportability of Information Technology (IT) and National Security Systems (NSS)"
7.3.2.3. DoD Directive 5000.01, "The Defense Acquisition System"
7.3.2.4. DoD Instruction 5000.02, "Operation of the Defense Acquisition System"
7.3.2.5. CJCS Instruction 6212.01, "Interoperability and Supportability of Information Technology and National Security Systems"
7.3.2.1. DoD Directive 4630.05, "Interoperability and Supportability of Information Technology (IT) and National Security Systems (NSS)"
- Section 4.1 of this Directive requires IT and NSS employed by U.S. Forces to interoperate with existing and planned systems and equipment of joint, combined and coalition forces and with other U.S. Government Departments and Agencies, as appropriate (based on capability context).
- Section 4.3 requires that IT and NSS interoperability and supportability needs, for a given capability, be identified through:
- Section 4.5 provides that IT and NSS interoperability be verified early, and with sufficient frequency throughout a system's life, or upon changes affecting interoperability or supportability, to assess, evaluate, and certify its overall interoperability and supportability within a given capability. Joint interoperability certification testing shall be as comprehensive as possible, while still being cost effective, and shall be completed prior to fielding of a new IT and NSS capability or upgrade to existing IT and NSS.
- Section 4.8 requires that interoperability and supportability needs be balanced with requirements for Information Assurance (IA).
7.3.2.2. DoD Instruction 4630.8, "Procedures for Interoperability and Supportability of Information Technology (IT) and National Security Systems (NSS)"
- E3.1.5. A Net-Ready Key Performance Parameter (NR-KPP), consisting of verifiable performance measures and metrics, shall be used to assess information needs, information timeliness, IA, and net-ready attributes required for both the technical exchange of information and the end-to-end operational effectiveness of that exchange. A NR-KPP shall be defined for all IT and NSS defense acquisition and procurement programs and shall be specified to a level of detail that allows verification of interoperability throughout a system's life. The defined NR-KPP shall be developed so that it can be reliably measured, tested and evaluated.
- E3.1.6. IT and NSS interoperability and supportability needs shall be managed, evaluated, and reported over the life of the system using an Information Support Plan (ISP). For all DoD ACAT programs and non-ACAT acquisitions and procurements, a ISP shall be produced and used to analyze interoperability and supportability requirements specified in the NR-KPP. . . .
- 6.2.3.6.1. All IT and NSS, regardless of ACAT, must be tested for interoperability before fielding and the test results evaluated and systems certified by the DISA (JITC). IT and NSS interoperability test and evaluation shall be conducted throughout a system's life, and should be achieved as early as is practical to support scheduled acquisition or procurement decisions. Interoperability testing may be performed in conjunction with other testing (i.e., DT&E, OT&E, early-user test) whenever possible to conserve resources.
- 6.2.3.6.2. IT and NSS interoperability testing can occur in multiple stages. Evolutionary acquisitions or procurements, and normal life-cycle modifications, result in a progressively more complete capability. Therefore, there may be instances when it is important to characterize a system's interoperability before all critical interface requirements have been tested and certified. However, all critical interfaces, identified in the NR-KPP, which have been tested, must be successfully certified for interoperability prior to fielding. When appropriate (e.g., between successful completion of OT and the fielding decision), the DISA (JITC) shall issue interim interoperability certification letters specifying which of the system's interoperability needs have been successfully met and which have not. The DISA (JITC) shall issue an overall system certification once the system successfully meets all requirements of the NR-KPP validated by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The DISA (JITC) shall provide interoperability certification letters to the USD(AT&L), the USD(C)/CFO, the DoD CIO, the DPA&E (now DCAPE), the DOT&E, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Commander, USJFCOM, as well as to the OTA and program manager, as applicable.
7.3.2.3. DoD Directive 5000.01, "The Defense Acquisition System"
- Paragraph E1.1.10 establishes the requirement to acquire systems and families of systems that are interoperable with other U.S forces.
- Paragraph E1.1.11 states the requirement that test and evaluation shall assess interoperability.
- Paragraph E1.1.16 cites the need to maximize interoperability as a primary reason for acquisition managers to consider and use performance-based strategies for acquiring and sustaining products and services.
7.3.2.4. DoD Instruction 5000.02, "Operation of the Defense Acquisition System"
- Enclosure 6, paragraph 2.c.(8) states: Interoperability Testing: All DoD MDAPs, programs on the OSD T&E Oversight list, post-acquisition (legacy) systems, and all programs and systems that must interoperate, are subject to interoperability evaluations throughout their life cycles to validate their ability to support mission accomplishment. For IT systems (including NSS) with interoperability requirements, the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC), regardless of ACAT, shall provide system interoperability test certification memorandums to the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology) (DUSD(A&T)), the DoD CIO, and the Director, Joint Staff J-6, throughout the system life-cycle.
- Enclosure 6, paragraph 3 states: During DT&E, the materiel developer shall:
- d. Assess technical progress and maturity against critical technical parameters, to include interoperability, documented in the TEMP; and
- h. In the case of IT systems, including NSS, support the DoD Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process and Joint Interoperability Certification process; . . .
7.3.2.5. CJCS Instruction 6212.01, "Net Ready Key Performance Parameter (NR KPP)"
This publication provides instruction to develop a NR KPP.
1.a. Defines responsibilities and establishes policy and procedures to develop the NR KPP and NR KPP certification requirement for all information technology (IT) and national security systems (NSS) that contain joint interfaces or joint information exchanges.
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