Subject: Release of Interim Guidance 63-101, Operation of the Capabilities Based Acquisition System.

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE 

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20330-1060

APR 01 2004

OFFICE OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY

MEMORANDUM FOR SEE DISTRIBUTION

FROM: SAF/AQ 

SUBJECT: Release of Interim Guidance 63-101, Operation of the Capabilities Based Acquisition System

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

The attached Interim Guidance, Operation of the Capabilities Based Acquisition System, is effective immediately upon receipt, replacing AFI 63-101 dated 11 May 1994. The Interim Guidance significantly revises Air Force Acquisition Policy in response to changes in Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 5000.1, The Defense Acquisition System, DoDI 5000.2, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System (hereinafter referred to as the 5000 Series); acquisition-related activities in the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Instruction CJCS 3170.1M, Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System, CJCS Manual (CJCSM) 3170.01, Operation of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System, the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force's Agile Acquisition policies; and revised AFPD 63-1, Capabilities Based Acquisition System.

This Interim Guidance was developed in collaboration with efforts to revise AFI 10-601, Operational Capabilities Requirements, and AFI 99-103, Capabilities Based Test and Evaluation, to create an integrated process for rapidly meeting operator needs. The three documents are to be used together. Highlights of Interim Guidance 63-101 include: incorporation of the new pre-Milestone A concept from DoD 5000 to include Concept Refinement and Technology Development Strategy; introduction to Courses of Actions (COAs); the Expectation Management Agreement; and emphasis on Evolutionary Acquisition and Spiral Development, the preferred DoD and AF acquisition processes.

This Interim Guidance allows the opportunity for early feedback for the final publication of AFI 63-101 and will help expedite final coordination. Final publication is planned for 120 days after release of Interim Guidance. Formal coordination will occur prior to final publication.

The SAF/AQ point of contact for this Interim Guidance is Ms Sheryl Jennings, [phone] or DSN425-7154. Please submit comments in accordance with the Comments Resolution Matrix (CRM) in attachment 3 via email to Ms Sheryl Jennings at: [e-mail]. The deadline for comments is 75 days after the release of the Interim Guidance.

Attachments:

1. Distribution

2. Interim Guidance 63-101

3. CRM Template

Editor's note: To view the attachments to this memorandum, go to the U.S. Air Force Acquisition Center of Excellence (ACE) Web site at http://www.safaq.hq.af.mil/ACE/.

MARVIN R. SAMBUR

Assistant Secretary of the Air Force

(Acquisition)