Bidders Library Operational Test and Evaluation - DoTE MEMO 10-18-2010.pdf

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE

1700 DEFENSE PENTAGON

WASHINGTON, DC 20301-1700

OCT 1 8 2010

OPERATIONAL TEST

AND EVALUATION

MEMORANDUM FOR COMMANDER, ARMY TEST AND EVALUATION

COMMAND

COMMANDER, OPERATIONAL TEST AND EVALUATION

FORCE

COMMANDER, AIR FORCE OPERATIONAL TEST AND

EVALUATION CENTER

DIRECTOR, MARINE CORPS OPERATIONAL TEST AND

EVALUATION ACTIVITY

COMMANDER, JOINT INTEROPERABILITY TEST

COMMAND

DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF THE ARMY, TEST &

EVALUATION COMMAND

DEPUTY, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY TEST &

EVALUATION EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR, TEST & EVALUATION, HEADQUARTERS,

U.S. AIR FORCE

TEST AND EVALUATION EXECUTIVE, DEFENSE

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY

SUBJECT: Use of Production-Representative Test Articles for Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E)

Consistent with Title 10 USC 2400, Department of Defense (DoD) Directive

5000.01 and DoD Instruction 5000.02 state production-representative articles should be used for test and evaluation. This memorandum expands upon the discussion of production representative systems contained in the Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Section 9.4.3. DOT&E will use the following criteria in evaluating whether systems are production-representative.

Wherever practicable, 101'&E will be conducted using low-rate initial production (LRIP) systems assembled using the parts, tools, and manufacturing processes intended for use in full-rate production. The system will also utilize the intended production versions of software. In addition, the logistics system and maintenance manuals intended for use on the fielded system should be in place.

When the use ofLRIP articles is impractical, the system used in 101'&E should, at a minimum, incorporate the same parts and software to be used in LRIP articles. In particular, the hardware and software should be as defined by the system-level Critical o

Design Review, Functional Configuration Audit, and System Verification Review, including correction of appropriate major deficiencies identified during developmental testing. Manufacturing processes to be used in full-rate production should also be adhered to as closely as possible. DOT&E must be provided detailed infonnation describing any process differences in order to independently evaluate whether the differences are acceptable.

DOT&E will assess adherence to the above guidelines as part of its responsibility for reviewing and approving Test and Evaluation Master Plans and Test Plans. Proposals to use articles not from LRIP to conduct lOT&E will be considered for approval by DOT&E using the criteria stated above as part of those reviews.

d. ?If. kLJ2.- J. Michael Gilmore Director