Award Fee in Software Acquisition

Abstract

The focus of this research effort was to determine, in general terms, what contractual tools are available to influence contractor performance during the software development process and, specifically, whether or not award fee contracts are appropriate tools. First, a qualitative, in depth literature review was done. Next, personal interviews were conducted with Program Directors and Deputy Program Directors at Aeronautical Systems Center, Electronic Systems Center, and Space and Missiles Systems Center. Then, after the results were summarized, the data was analyzed and findings were made. Findings include: award fee was found to be the most flexible provision in the FAR and its supplements to influence contractor performance during the software development process; the literature search found a strong consensus on major events or milestones in the software development process; and program requirements are the key factor that drives the linkage between award fee and the software development events. For software development, award fee contracts give the government a flexible and effective means to effect the software development process.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 1992
Accession Number
ADA259677

Entities

People

  • Mark T. Hunter

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aircrafts
  • Business Administration
  • Computer Programming
  • Computer Programs
  • Computers
  • Contractors
  • Management Personnel
  • Organizational Structure
  • Procurement
  • Software Development
  • Software Development Tools
  • Software Metrics
  • Software Testing
  • System Software
  • Systems Engineering
  • Systems Management
  • Test And Evaluation

Readers

  • Defense Financial Management and Audit.
  • Software Engineering.
  • Technical Research and Report Writing.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Space