Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Deskbook

processes;” 12 and the EMD Phase shall end when “manufacturing processes havebeen effectively demonstrated in a pilot line environment.” 13Finally, the policy establishes two entrance criteria for the Production andDeployment Phase as “no significant manufacturing risks” and “manufacturingprocesses [are] under control (if Milestone C is full-rate production).” 14 This enables LowRate Initial Production (LRIP) to result in an “adequate and efficient manufacturingcapability” 15 so that the following knowledge will be available to support Full-RateProduction (FRP) approval:• “demonstrated control of the manufacturing process”• “the collection of statistical process control data”• “demonstrated control and capability of other critical processes” 161.2 GUIDANCE ISSUED IN SUPPORT OF POLICY1.2.1 MANUFACTURING-RELATED SUCCESS CRITERIA ESTABLISHED FORTECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITION STRATEGIESIn support of both DFARS language and the new 5000.02, the DefenseAcquisition Guidebook 17 (DAG) Chapter 2 (Acquisition Program Baselines, TechnologyDevelopment Strategies, and Acquisition Strategies) provides guidance on includingmanufacturing capabilities and risks in the Technology Development Strategy (TDS) atMilestone A and the Acquisition Strategy (AS) at Milestones B and C. Both the TDSand the AS are information baselines for efforts that continually evolve during theprogression through the acquisition system.The TDS guides the reduction of technology risk, the determination of theappropriate set of technologies to be integrated into a full system, and thedemonstration of critical technologies on representative prototypes. Therefore, theresults of the required assessments of manufacturing feasibility carried out inconjunction with the AoA become the basis of meeting the success criteria for theAlternative Systems Review (ASR) and important inputs to the TDS.The TDS should identify and address how industrial capabilities, includingmanufacturing technologies and capabilities, will be considered and matured during theTD Phase. Industrial capabilities encompass public and private capabilities to design,develop, manufacture, maintain, and manage DoD products. A discussion of these121314151617DoDI 5000.02 Enclosure (2) paragraph 6.c.(6).(d).Ibid.DoDI 5000.02 Enclosure (2) paragraph 7.b .DoDI 5000.02 Enclosure (2) paragraph 7.c.(1).(a).DoDI 5000.02 Enclosure (2) paragraph 7.c.(2).Defense Acquisition Guidebook, Defense Acquisition University, December 17, 2009;https://dag.dau.mil/Pages/Default.aspx1-3