Department of Defense INSTRUCTION

DoDI 5000.02, January 7, 2015
appropriate operational authority will declare IOC when the defined operational organization has
been equipped and trained and is determined to be capable of conducting mission operations.
During this phase Should Cost management and other techniques will be used continuously to
control and reduce cost.
1. LRIP and Limited Deployment. LRIP establishes the initial production base
for the system or capability increment, provides the OT&E test articles, provides an efficient
ramp up to full-rate production, and maintains continuity in production pending OT&E
completion. While this portion of the phase should be of limited duration so that efficient
production rates can be accomplished as soon and as economically as possible, it should be of
sufficient duration to permit identification and resolution of any deficiencies prior to full-rate
production. Limited Deployment for software developments is principally intended to support
OT&E and can, consistent with the program strategy, be used to provide tested early operational
capability to the user prior to full deployment.
2. OT&E. The appropriate operational test organization will conduct operational
testing in a realistic threat environment. The threat environment will be based on the program’s
System Threat Assessment Validated On-line Life-cycle Threat Report and appropriate
scenarios. For MDAPs, MAIS programs, and other programs on the DOT&E Oversight List, the
DOT&E will provide a report providing the opinion of the DOT&E as to whether the program is
operationally effective, suitable, and survivable before the MDA makes a decision to proceed
beyond LRIP. For programs on the DOT&E Oversight List, operational testing will be
conducted in accordance with the approved TEMP and operational test plan. If LRIP is not
conducted for programs on the DOT&E Oversight List, fully production-representative articles
must nonetheless be provided for the conduct of the required operational testing. Enclosures 4
and Enclosure 5 provide details about developmental and operational testing and the TEMP.
(12) Full-Rate Production Decision or Full Deployment Decision. The MDA will
conduct a review to assess the results of initial OT&E, initial manufacturing, and limited
deployment, and determine whether or not to approve proceeding to Full-Rate Production or Full
Deployment. Continuing into Full-Rate Production or Full Deployment requires demonstrated
control of the manufacturing process, acceptable performance and reliability, and the
establishment of adequate sustainment and support systems.
(a) In making the Full-Rate Production Decision or the Full Deployment Decision,
the MDA will consider any new validated threat environments that might affect operational
effectiveness, and may consult with the requirements validation authority as part of the decision
making process to ensure that capability requirements are current.
(b) Except as specifically approved by the MDA, critical deficiencies identified in
testing will be resolved prior to proceeding beyond LRIP or limited deployment. Remedial
action will be verified in follow-on test and evaluation.
(c) The decision to proceed into full-rate production or full deployment will be
documented in an ADM. Table 2 in Enclosure 1 identifies the statutory and regulatory
requirements associated with this decision.
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