The LCSP Outline exists to help you visualize the critical elements of a Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan, and to think systematically when developing and communicating your plan across the enterprise. This online resource is provided as information only. In addition to the outline below, programs should also consult their respective Service Guidance, the Defense Acquisition Guide (DAG) and other sections of this web site.
This resource has the latest thinking and alternative examples for each LCSP section. It is not meant to be a fixed template to simply copy and paste information into - please tailor the LCSP to meet your unique program needs. Consequently, font sizes, typefaces, and colors for the tables are not mandated.
Background: On 14 Sep 11, the Principal Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics) issued this important policy memorandum entitled "Document Streamlining - Life-Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP)." According to this memo, "the LCSP will be streamlined consistent with the attached annotated outline. The outline is designed to be a tool for programs to effectively and affordably satisfy life-cycle sustainment requirements. This plan articulates the product support strategy, and it must be kept relevant as the program evolves through the acquisition milestones and into sustainment. The LCSP outline emphasizes early-phase sustainment requirements development and planning, focuses on cross-functional integration - most critically with systems engineering - and highlights key sustainment contract development and management activities." He goes on to state that "the LCSP has been separated from the Acquisition Strategy. Every acquisition program shall develop a LCSP (emphasis added). The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Logistics and Materiel Readiness (ASD(L&MR)) shall approve LCSPs for all ACAT ID and USD(AT&L)-designated special interest programs for Milestone A or equivalent, each subsequent milestone, and Full-Rate Production decision. Following the system's initial operating capability, the component acquisition executive (CAE) or designee shall approve LCSP updates, in coordination with the ASD(L&MR). Approval for ACAT IC and below LCSPs is delegated to the CAE or Component designee. These actions constitute expected business practice and are effective immediately (emphasis added)."
Enclosure 6 of the DoDI 5000.02 contains detailed information on the Life Cycle Sustainment Plan. In addition, Chapter 5 of the Defense Acquisition Guidebook (DAG) also provides extensive information on the LCSP, as does an list of LCSP Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
According to 10 USC §2337 Life Cycle Management & Product Support two of the many responsibilities of the Product Support Manager (PSM) include “develop and implement a comprehensive product support strategy for the weapon system” and “ensure achievement of desired product support outcomes through development and implementation of appropriate product support arrangements.” In addition, according to the now-cancelled Directive-Type Memorandum (DTM) 10-015, Requirements for Life Cycle Management and Product Support (Change 3), January 16, 2013, two primary responsibilities of the Product Support Manager (PSM) are to "develop and implement a comprehensive, outcome-based, product support strategy" and to "document the product support strategy in the Life Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP)," in accordance with DoD Instruction 5000.02, "Operation of the Defense Acquisition System." Hence, this Life Cycle Sustainment Plan (LCSP) Outline, along with the DoD Product Support Manager Guidebook, the DoD Performance Based Logistics Guidebook, and the DoD Product Support Business Case Analysis Guidebook, are vitally important to the successful execution of PSM primary responsibilities for development, validation, documentation, and execution of a robust weapon system product support strategy that delivers optimized affordable system readiness. In addition, to assist workforce members better understand the requirements, expectations and provide further details about the LCSP, several very helpful resources are now available, including:
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Online Version
Overview
FAQ
General Requirements
Outline
LCSP by Phase
The LCSP and the RFP
Training
