MIL-HDBK-502 - Barringer and Associates, Inc.

MIL-HDBK-502: ACQUISITIONALOGISTICSSection 8:Logistic Considerations for Contracts8.1 INTRODUCTION AND OVERVIEW OF UNIFORMCONTRACT FORMAT8.2 SYSTEM ACQUISITIONExperience has shown us that properly prepared solicitations and contractsare key ingredients in the success of acquisition programs. Logisticsconsiderations are a major consideration during research and developmentand during the acquisition process. They are, therefore, a large part of thesolicitation and ultimately the contract. All personnel responsible fordesigning, developing, and acquiring systems must work together to ensurethat logistics needs are adequately covered in contractual documents.The term, “solicitation,” refers to the document that is used by thegovernment to communicate its requirements to prospective contractors, tosolicit proposals or quotations, or to unilaterally order or modify acontract. The Uniform Contract Format (UCF), outlined in Figure 8-1below, is the format used in typical acquisition contracts to structure asolicitation, including logistics support for weapon systems. Supportsystems managers (SSMs), logistic elements managers (LEMs), andintegrated product team (IPT) members must be thoroughly familiar withthis format, and understand how the solicitation and its procedures assistthem in completing the relevant sections of the UCF. SSMs, LEMs, andIPT members are involved in preparing Sections B, C, D, E, F, H, J, and Lof the UCF when contracting for logistics efforts.Solicitations are normally developed and issued at the beginning of eachphase of the acquisition life cycle (Concept Exploration, ProgramDefinition and Risk Reduction, Engineering and ManufacturingDevelopment, and Production, Fielding/Deployment and OperationalSupport). These solicitations and the contracts that follow them are usuallybased on:• the results of the previous phase,• the present state of program development, and• the acquisition strategy.8-1