Putting it all Together
Figure 6 is an overview of the proposed 4 stage auditable outcome-based acquisition process. Further detail is contained in Table 1. This process would be used to measure progress toward contract award and then successful product delivery.
Figure 6: Outcome-Based Acquisition Process Overview
Table 1 describes each of the steps assigned to the Acquirer and Supplier in the 4 OBA stages in Figure 6. In summary, pre-contract award stages 1, 2, and 3 ensure prospective contract bidders understand Inspections, have the current infrastructure in place to perform standard-compliant inspections, and can demonstrate this prior to contract award. Stage 4 ensures that during post-award contract performance, both the supplier’s management and the government program manager have access to individual and summarized Inspection results throughout product development.
The result of putting the pieces together is an auditable outcome-based acquisition process that can be used TODAY for:
- Inspection Compliance Matrix gap analysis of supplier Inspection capabilities and assessment before contract award
- Proper execution of Inspections throughout development – that comply with the August 2008 IEEE Inspection Standard and Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 46.2 for Quality Assurance and Inspections on government contracts.
- Computerized Inspection tool outcome-based measurements allowing supplier and government management, on a continual basis to:
- evaluate product quality,
- measure development progress,
- assess risk