Subject: Policy Memo 05-3, "Elimination of Waivers to Cite Military Specifications and Standards in Solicitations and Contracts".OFFICE OF THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE 3000 DEFENSE PENTAGON WASHINGTON DC 20301-3000 MAR 29 2005 MEMORANDUM FOR THE STANDARDIZATION standardization In industry, the development and application of standards that make it possible to manufacture a large volume of interchangeable parts. Standardization may focus on engineering standards, such as properties of materials, fits and tolerances, and drafting EXECUTIVES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS AND DEFENSE AGENCIES [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] SUBJECT: Policy Memo A policy memo is a brief (2-3 pages) memo targeted to a specific audience, usually policy makers, advocating a policy with just sufficient analysis of alternatives regarding a current policy debate. 05-3, "Elimination of Waivers to Cite Military Specifications and Standards in Solicitations and Contracts" On October 14, 2004, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics The Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics is the title of a high-level civilian official in the United States Department of Defense. The Undersecretary of Defense for Policy is the principal staff assistant and advisor to both the Secretary of Defense signed the Defense Acquisition Guidance. Paragraph 11.6 of this Guidance states that "it is no longer required to obtain a waiver The voluntary surrender of a known right; conduct supporting an inference that a particular right has been relinquished. The term waiver is used in many legal contexts. from the Milestone Decision Authority to cite military specifications and standards in solicitations and contracts." We are in the process of preparing a formal change to DoD 4120.24-M, "Defense Standardization Program Policies and Procedures Policies and Procedures are a set of documents that describe an organization's policies for operation and the procedures necessary to fulfill the policies. They are often initiated because of some external requirement, such as environmental compliance or other governmental ," to eliminate the waiver requirement from this document to be consistent with the Under Secretary's direction. Until such a formal change can be issued by the DoD Directives Office, this policy memorandum deletes Section C3.8 and all of its paragraphs and subparagraphs regarding waivers from DoD 4120.24-M. I request that you take appropriate action to ensure that everyone in your acquisition and logistics communities is aware that a waiver to cite military specifications and standards in solicitations and contracts is no longer required. As noted in the Defense Acquisition Guidance, however, this waiver elimination should not be interpreted as returning to the "old way of doing business," but as recognition of the cultural change that took place in DoD regarding the proper application of specifications and standards. We need to ensure that those in the acquisition and logistics communities have the flexibility to assess program requirements, make good decisions, and where appropriate, require conformance con·for·mance n. Conformity. Noun 1. conformance - correspondence in form or appearance conformity agreement, correspondence - compatibility of observations; "there was no agreement between theory and to military specifications and standards. If there are any questions about this policy memorandum or the status of the change to DoD 4120.24-M, my point of contact is Mr. Stephen Lowell at (703) 767-6879 or e-mail stephen.lowell@dia.mil An Internet address domain name for a military agency. See Internet address. (networking) mil - The top-level domain for entities affiliated with US armed forces. . Louis A. Kratz Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense (Logistics Plans and Programs) |
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