Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS): Doing It Right

Abstract

Former Secretary of Defense William Perry recognized the benefits of dual use processes and products in 1994. Federal Acquisition Streamline Act of 1994 (FASA), removed many rigid acquisition regulations and allowed DoD to implement management best practices. FASA reform provisions pertaining to acquisitions include: commercial buying practices for COTS and preference for Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) and Non-Development Items (NDI). DoD Instruction 5000.2 requires the use of COTS Information Technology solutions to the maximum practical extent. To gain the benefits of schedule, cost, and operational capability from COTS, programs must have flexibility in requirements and specifications.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 01, 2008
Accession Number
ADA494033

Entities

People

  • Jacques Gansler
  • William Lucyshyn

Organizations

  • University of Maryland

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acquisition
  • Airborne Warning And Control System
  • Aircrafts
  • Best Practices
  • Business Administration
  • Commerce
  • Computers
  • Contracts
  • Control Systems
  • Logistics
  • Procurement
  • Public Policy
  • Specifications
  • Supply Chain
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Test And Evaluation
  • Utility Aircraft

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management