Evaluation of and Recommended Change to the Reliability Improvement Warranty (RIW) Guidelines.
Abstract
The reliability improvement warranty is a relatively new acquisition technique in government contracting. To encourage effective use of the technique, HQ USAF Directorate of Procurement Policy (LGP) published the pamphlet entitled Interim Guidelines Reliability Improvement Warranty (RIW) in July, 1974. This pamphlet provided guidance in the areas of application criteria, funding, provisions, determination of cost effectiveness, and general implementation and administrative information. Since the guidelines had not been revised since publication, the researchers' objectives were to determine if the guidelines were adequate and to obtain recommendations for improving those guidelines, if necessary. To meet those objectives, 24 individuals knowledgeable in the area of RIW were interviewed. Their perceptions were gathered through ten scaled response questions that addressed main areas within the guidelines. The distribution of responses were tested via the Kolmogorov-Smirnov two sample test to determine the adequacy of the area. Interviewees also recommended changes to correct perceived problem areas via open ended response questions. The researchers concluded the guidelines were inadequate in a number of areas, e.g., evaluation of candidates, example clauses, administrative concerns and cost-benefit analysis among others. Suggestions for increased detail, more examples, deeper rationale and organization into a regulation were made. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1979
- Accession Number
- ADA077672
Entities
People
- Mark C. Jacobson
- Reagan L. Skaggs
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology