Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD)

Abstract

The Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) Program directly addresses Joint, Coalition, and/or Interagency capability needs expressed by Combatant Commands (COCOMs). Due to significant successes since inception of the program (initially the Advanced Capability Technology Demonstration (ACTD) Program), the JCTD Program is now viewed by COCOMs as a primary means to rapidly develop, assess, and transition needed capabilities into operations. Through partnering with other solution providers and resource sponsors, the JCTD Program typically leverages $2 in partner funding for every $1 in the JCTD budget. Thus, the value and impact of JCTDs to the COCOMs is significantly greater than a typical Research and Development program. Key values demonstrated by the JCTD program are: - The program has a long history of providing enduring capabilities. To date, over 90 perecent of completed JCTDs have successfully transitioned capabilities to warfighters. 70 percent of completed ACTD projects successfully transitioned their products. (See “Section D. Acquisition Strategy” for transition discussion). - The program delivers capabilities rapidly. Projects execute within the Department of Defense (DoD) Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process. In other words, when a new capability need is identified, a JCTD project can be started and completed before funding can start in the traditional PPBE cycle. The result is that 74 JCTD/ACTD projects delivered capabilities used in Operation Iraqi Freedom, and 57 projects delivered capabilities to Operation Enduring Freedom. Most of those capabilities would not have been delivered - or would have been significantly delayed – without the JCTD program. A recent example is the Persistent Ground Surveillance System (PGSS) JCTD, which quickly (several months) demonstrated and assessed aerostat and integrated sensor technologies to provide wide area surveillance for forward operating bases. Success has led to procurement of over 30 PGSS systems providing 24 hour protection to bases in Afghanistan. - The program enables Coalition cooperative development by leveraging partner nation expertise and resources. More than one quarter of JCTD projects involve some coalition participation. As a result of successful past collaborations, the program now enjoys routine interactions with the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Singapore. - The program enables development and execution of interdepartmental cooperation projects, such as projects with the Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, and Department of Transportation. Recent examples are interdepartmental collaborations for maritime awareness, air domain information sharing, tunnel detection and characterization, and Arctic awareness. - The program enables rapid response to new DoD priorities before Service PPBE cycles can respond. For example, the Department has recently established priorities for Building Partner Capacity, understanding human terrain, and nuclear forensics. The JCTD Program quickly responded and is providing initial capabilities that are transitioning to Service efforts. MEASURABLE OUTCOMES: Metrics include: all JCTDs will have deliverables within 12 months to enable assessment for project continuation; 50 percent of JCTDs will provide an operationally-relevant prototype within 12 months and 75 percent will complete final demonstration within 24 months of receiving funding. JCTDs will spiral products and deliverables during the demonstration. At least 75 percent of JCTD projects will transition products to a Program of Record (POR), residual operations, or availability for procurement from the General Services Administration (GSA) Schedule. Transition Achievement: The JCTD program has been achieving actual transition rates in excess of the stated goal. The JCTD Program defines transition as a project’s product(s) going to new or existing POR, providing residual capabilities sustained by non-JCTD funds in direct support of operations, or commodity-type capabilities entered onto GSA schedule for procurement by Department users. 14 of 18 completions in FY 2011 successfully transitioned.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2013
• Source ID: P648_0603648D8Z_3_0400_PB_2013

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• Defense Acquisition Program Management
• Enterprise Information Systems Architecture and Joint Command Capability Interoperability Support.
• Military Logistics and Supply Chain Management