Acquisition Category Review

DoD ACATsSECNAV ACATs
  • ACAT I
  • ACAT IA
    • ACAT IAM
    • ACAT IAC
  • ACAT II
  • ACAT III
  • ACAT I
    • ACAT ID
    • ACAT IC
  • ACAT IA
    • ACAT IAM
    • ACAT IAC
 
  • ACAT II
  • ACAT III
  • ACAT IV
    • ACAT IVT
    • ACAT IVM
  • Abbreviated Acquisition Programs
Acronyms used in this section
  • AAP - Abbreviated Acquisition Plan
  • APB - Acquisition Program Baseline
  • ASD(C3I) - Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence)
  • ASN(RD&A) - Assistant Secretary of Defense (Research, Development and Acquisition)
  • CAE - Component Acquisition Executive
  • CAIG - Cost Analysis Improvement Group
  • CAIV - Cost As an Independent Variable
  • CINC - Commander in Chief
  • CIO - Chief Information Officer
  • CNO - Chief of Naval Operations
  • COMOPTEVFOR - Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force
  • DAB - Defense Acquisition Board
  • DASN(PP&R) - Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Plans, Programs, and Resources)
  • DRPMs - Direct Reporting Program Managers
  • IT - Information Technology
  • MAIS - Major Automated Information System
  • MCOTEA - Marine Corps Operational Test and Evaluation Activity
  • MDA - Milestone Decision Authority
  • MDAP - Major Defense Acquisition Programs
  • NAE - Navy Acquisition Executive
  • NSS - National Security System
  • OSD - Office of the Secretary of Defense
  • OT&E - Operational Test and Evaluation
  • PEO - Program Executive Officers
  • RDT&E - Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation
  • SES - Senior Executive Service
  • SYSCOM - Systems Command
  • TECG - Test and Evaluation Coordination Group
  • USD(AT&L) - Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics)
Definitions (from DoD Instruction 5000.2)

Major Automated Information System (MAIS)

An AIS that is designated by ASD(C3I) as a MAIS, or estimated to require program costs in any single year in excess of $32 million in fiscal year (FY) 2000 constant dollars, total program costs in excess of $126 million in FY 2000 constant dollars, or total life-cycle costs in excess of $378 million in FY 2000 constant dollars.

MAISs do not include highly sensitive classified programs (as determined by the Secretary of Defense) or tactical communication systems.

For the purpose of determining whether an AIS is a MAIS, the following shall be aggregated and considered a single AIS:

  • The separate AISs that constitute a multi-element program.
  • The separate AISs that make up an evolutionary or incrementally developed program.
  • The separate AISs that make up a multi-DoD Component AIS program.

Major Defense Acquisition Program (MDAP)

An acquisition program that is not a highly sensitive classified program (as determined by the Secretary of Defense) and that is designated by the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) (USD(AT&L)) as an MDAP, or estimated by the USD(AT&L) to require an eventual total expenditure for research, development, test and evaluation of more than $365 million in fiscal year (FY) 2000 constant dollars or, for procurement, of more than $2.190 billion in FY 2000 constant dollars.

The estimate shall consider all blocks that will make up an evolutionary acquisition program (to the extent that subsequent blocks can be defined).

This definition is from 10 U.S.C. 2430 (reference (gg)). The dollar requirements are established in statute in FY 1990 dollars. The dollar amounts have been updated in accordance with procedures identified in the statute.

Major System.

A combination of elements that shall function together to produce the capabilities required to fulfill a mission need, including hardware, equipment, software, or any combination thereof, but excluding construction or other improvements to real property.

A system shall be considered a major system if it is estimated by the DoD Component Head to require an eventual total expenditure for RDT&E of more than $140 million in FY 2000 constant dollars, or for procurement of more than $660 million in FY 2000 constant dollars, or if designated as major by the DoD Component Head (10 U.S.C. §2302d, reference (hh)).

The estimate shall consider all blocks that will make up an evolutionary acquisition program (to the extent subsequent blocks can be defined).

The dollar requirements are established in statute in FY 1990 dollars. The dollar amounts have been updated in accordance with procedures identified in the statute.

Milestone Decision Authority (MDA).

The individual designated in accordance with criteria established by the USD(AT&L), or by the ASD(C3I) for AIS acquisition programs, to approve entry of an acquisition program into the next phase of the acquisition process.

Mission Critical Information System.

A system that meets the definitions of "information system" and "national security system" in the Clinger-Cohen Act, the loss of which would cause the stoppage of warfighter operations or direct mission support of warfighter operations. (Note: The designation of mission critical should be made by a Component Head, a CINC or their designee.) A Mission Critical Information Technology System has the same meaning as a Mission Critical Information System.

Mission Essential Information System.

A system that meets the definition of "information system" in the Clinger-Cohen Act, that the acquiring Component Head or designee determines is basic and necessary for the accomplishment of the organizational mission. (Note: The designation of mission essential should be made by a Component Head, a CINC or their designee.) A Mission Essential Information Technology System has the same meaning as a Mission Essential Information System.

National Security System (NSS).

Any telecommunications or information system operated by the U.S. Government, the function, operation, or use of which:

  • Involves intelligence activities;
  • Involves cryptologic activities related to national security;
  • Involves command and control of military forces;
  • Involves equipment that is an integral part of a weapon or weapons system; or,
  • Subject to the limitation below, is critical to the direct fulfillment of military or intelligence missions. This does not include a system that is to be used for routine administrative and business applications (including payroll, finance, logistics, and personnel management applications).
  • This definition is from the Clinger-Cohen Act (reference (m)).

DoD Instruction 5000.2 ACATs (from section 4.8.2)

ACAT I

ACAT I programs are those programs that are MDAPs or that are designated ACAT I by the MDA as a result of the MDA's special interest.

In some cases, an ACAT IA program, as defined below, also meets the definition of a MDAP. The USD(AT&L) and the ASD(C3I)/DoD Chief Information Officer (CIO) shall decide who will be the MDA for such AIS programs. Regardless of who is the MDA, the statutory requirements that apply to MDAPs shall apply to such AIS programs.

ACAT I programs have two sub-categories: ACAT ID, for which the MDA is USD(AT&L) (the "D" refers to the Defense Acquisition Board (DAB), which advises the USD(AT&L) at major decision points) or ACAT IC, for which the MDA is the DoD Component Head or, if delegated, the DoD Component Acquisition Executive (CAE) (the "C" refers to Component).

Initially, all programs are treated as ACAT ID until formally designated ACAT IC by the USD(AT&L). At any time, the USD(AT&L) may delegate Milestone Decision Authority of an ACAT I program to the Head of the DoD Component who may redelegate to the CAE.

If the USD(AT&L) redesignates a formerly ACAT ID program as an ACAT IC program, the following direction shall apply:

ACAT IA

ACAT IA programs are those programs that are MAISs or that are designated as ACAT IA by the MDA as a result of the MDA's special interest.

ACAT IA programs have two sub-categories: ACAT IAM for which the MDA is the Chief Information Officer (CIO) of the Department of Defense (DoD), the ASD(C3I) (the "M" (in ACAT IAM) refers to Major Automated Information System (MAIS)) or ACAT IAC, for which the DoD CIO has delegated milestone decision authority to the CAE or Component CIO (the "C" (in ACAT IAC) refers to Component).

The ASD(C3I) designates programs as ACAT IAM or ACAT IAC.

If the ASD(C3I) redesignates a formerly ACAT IAM program as an ACAT IAC program, the following direction shall apply:

ACAT II

ACAT II programs are those programs that do not meet the criteria for an ACAT I program, but that are Major Systems or that are designated as ACAT II by the MDA as a result of the MDA's special interest. Because of the dollar values of MAISs, no AIS programs are ACAT II. The MDA is the CAE or the individual designated by the CAE.

ACAT III

ACAT III programs are defined as those acquisition programs that do not meet the criteria for an ACAT I, an ACAT IA, or an ACAT II. The MDA is designated by the CAE and shall be at the lowest appropriate level. This category includes less-than-major AISs.

SECNAV Inst 5000.2C ACATs (from section 1.3A)

Categories of Acquisition Programs and Milestone Decision Authorities

Upon initiation, cost, complexity, and risk shall generally determine the category of an acquisition program. The categories are:

As used in this instruction, a "weapon system" is an overarching term that applies to a host platform (e.g., ship, aircraft, missile, weapon), combat system, subsystem(s), component(s), equipment(s), hardware, firmware, software, or item(s) that may collectively or individually be a weapon system acquisition program (i.e., all acquisition programs other than information technology acquisition programs (AIS acquisition programs are IT acquisition programs)).

For ACAT programs that are also joint programs, see this instruction, enclosure (9), paragraph 7.10, for implementation requirements.

The DON Acquisition Executive (NAE) shall resolve any question of classification of a program below the ACAT I or IA level, or potential program, as a weapon system or IT acquisition program.

ACAT I

ACAT I programs are MDAPs. An MDAP is defined as a weapon system program estimated by the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics) (USD(AT&L)) to require eventual expenditure for research, development, test, and evaluation of more than $365 million (Fiscal Year (FY) 2000 constant dollars) or procurement of more than $2.190 billion (FY 2000 constant dollars), or those programs otherwise designated by the USD(AT&L) to be ACAT I. ACAT I programs have two sub-categories. The USD(AT&L) designates programs as ACAT ID or ACAT IC. See reference (b), paragraph 4.8.2, for implementation requirements for DON ACAT I programs.

ACAT ID (Defense Acquisition Board Programs)

The USD(AT&L) is the MDA for ACAT ID programs.

ACAT IC (Component Programs)

ASN(RD&A) is designated the MDA for DON ACAT IC programs.

ACAT IA

ACAT IA programs are MAIS acquisition programs. A MAIS acquisition program is defined as a program estimated by the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence) (ASD(C3I)) to require program costs for any single year in excess of $32 million (FY 2000 constant dollars), total program costs in excess of $126 million (FY 2000 constant dollars), or total life-cycle costs in excess of $378 million (FY 2000 constant dollars), or those programs otherwise designated by the ASD(C3I) to be ACAT IA. ACAT IA programs have two sub-categories. The ASD(C3I), who is dual-hatted as the DOD CIO, designates MAIS programs as ACAT IAM or ACAT IAC. See reference (b), paragraph 4.8.3, for implementation requirements for DON ACAT IA programs.

ACAT IAM (MAIS Programs)

The DOD CIO is the MDA for ACAT IAM programs.

ACAT IAC (Component Programs)

The ASN(RD&A) or designee is the MDA for DON ACAT IAC programs.

ACAT II

ACAT II programs are major system programs that do not meet the criteria for an ACAT I program. A major system is defined as a program estimated by the Secretary of the Navy, as delegated to ASN(RD&A), to require eventual expenditure for research, development, test, and evaluation of more than $140 million (FY 2000 constant dollars) or procurement of more than $660 million (FY 2000 constant dollars), or those programs otherwise designated by the Secretary of the Navy, as delegated by this instruction to ASN(RD&A), to be ACAT II. ASN(RD&A) shall designate ACAT II programs and shall serve as MDA for such programs. By definition, there are no IT ACAT II programs. See reference (b), paragraph 4.8.4, for implementation requirements for DON ACAT II programs.

ACAT III

A weapon system program not otherwise designated ACAT I or II and which affects the military characteristics of ships or aircraft or involves combat capability will normally be designated an ACAT III program.

IT ACAT III programs are those that do not meet ACAT IA dollar thresholds, but are estimated to require program costs for any single year equal to or greater than $15 million, or total program costs equal to or greater than $30 million.

PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, and DRPMs, or flag or Senior Executive Service (SES) designees, shall designate assigned weapon system and assigned IT ACAT III programs. ASN(RD&A) or designee shall designate IT ACAT III programs not otherwise assigned to a PEO, SYSCOM Commander, or DRPM. For management and tracking purposes, PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, DRPMs, and ASN(RD&A) IT designees shall advise Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Plans, Programs, and Resources) (DASN(PP&R)) when programs are designated ACAT III for input into the ASN(RD&A) Acquisition Program listing.

PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, or DRPMs are the MDAs for assigned weapon system and assigned IT ACAT III programs. ASN(RD&A) or designee is the MDA for IT ACAT III programs not otherwise assigned to a PEO, SYSCOM Commander, or DRPM. A PEO, SYSCOM Commander, or DRPM for weapon system and assigned IT ACAT III programs may redelegate MDA to an appropriate flag or Senior Executive Service level.

For weapon system and IT ACAT III programs, mandatory program decision point information is discussed in this instruction, enclosure (2), paragraph 1.4A and listed in the table in this instruction, enclosure (9), paragraph 7.7.

See reference (b), paragraph 4.8.5, for implementation requirements for DON ACAT III programs.

ACAT IV

ACAT programs not otherwise designated ACAT I, IA, II, or III shall be designated ACAT IV. There are two categories of ACAT IV programs. ACAT IVT programs require operational test and evaluation (OT&E), while ACAT IVM programs do not. Commander, Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR) or Director, Marine Corps Test and Evaluation Activity (MCOTEA) will monitor ACAT IVM programs.

PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, or DRPMs, or flag or SES designees, shall designate assigned weapon system ACAT IV programs. PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, DRPMs, or flag or SES designees, or ASN(RD&A) or designee (for programs not under a PEO, SYSCOM, or DRPM), shall designate IT ACAT IV programs. ACAT IVM designations shall be with the written concurrence of COMOPTEVFOR or Director, MCOTEA. When PEOs/SYSCOM Commanders/DRPMs and COMOPTEVFOR are unable to resolve designation of a weapon system program as a Navy ACAT IVT or IVM program, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) (N091) shall arbitrate through the Test and Evaluation Coordination Group (TECG) process.

For management and tracking purposes, PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, DRPMs, and ASN(RD&A) IT designees shall advise DASN(PP&R) when programs are designated ACAT IVT and IVM for input into the ASN(RD&A) Acquisition Program listing.

PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, or DRPMs are the MDAs for weapon system ACAT IV programs and assigned IT ACAT IVT programs. ASN(RD&A) or designee is the MDA for IT ACAT IVT programs not otherwise assigned to a PEO, SYSCOM Commander, or DRPM. PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, or DRPMs may redelegate MDA for ACAT IV programs to an appropriate acquisition official, or to the Program Manager.

For ACAT IV programs, mandatory program decision point information is discussed in this instruction, enclosure (2), paragraph 1.4A, and listed in the table in this instruction, enclosure (9), paragraph 7.7. (Note: The criteria for IT ACAT III and IV designation mean IT ACAT programs below ACAT IA will only be designated IT ACAT III or IVT.)

Abbreviated Acquisition Programs

Relatively small DON acquisitions and modifications shall normally be designated as abbreviated acquisition programs (AAPs) if they meet all of the following qualifications in this instruction, enclosure (2), paragraphs 1.3.6.1A or 1.3.6.2A:

Weapon System Abbreviated Acquisition Programs

  1. Costs of such programs are less than all of the following thresholds:
    1. $5 million in total development cost of all contracts for all fiscal years,
    2. $15 million in total production or services cost of all contracts for any fiscal year, and
    3. $30 million in total production or services cost of all contracts for all fiscal years.
  2. Such programs do not affect the military characteristics of ships or aircraft or involve combat capability, and
  3. Such programs do not require an operational test and evaluation as determined by COMOPTEVFOR or Director, MCOTEA. PMs will submit AAP designation requests in writing to their PEO or SYSCOM Commander, or designee, via COMOPTEVFOR or Director, MCOTEA, for concurrence.

IT Abbreviated Acquisition Programs

  1. Costs of such programs are less than all of the following thresholds:
    1. $15 million in program costs for any single year, and
    2. $30 million in total program costs, and
  2. Such programs do not require an operational test and evaluation.
Naval Air Warfare Center
Training Systems Division		 Last Update: 20 February 2002