Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com Charges to commercial customers will be at least as large as the marginal (additive) cost of providing the service. A DOD contractor is charged at the same rate as any other commercial customer unless the contractor has appropriate contractual language with the DOD contract sponsor that provides the use of test support from the MRTFB as Government-furnished services. (2) Non-MRTFB facilities. Section 2539b of title 10, U.S. Code, provides the Army with the authority to provide cost reimbursable test services to commercial entities, when in the interest of national defense.
This authority may not be used to supplant the authority granted under section 2681 of title 10, U.S. Code. The non-MRTFB test activity or laboratory is reimbursed for the total costs incurred as a result of performing the test activities defined in the contractual agreement. Less than total costs may be approved if there are compelling reasons to do so (see DOD 7000.14–R, volume 11A, chap 14). b. Use of any Army test facility by a commercial enterprise is allowed only if it does not increase the cost to operate the facilities and after ensuring that the Army is not competing with U.S. commercial sector in providing such services.
Chapter 8 Test and Evaluation Working-level Integrated Product Team 8–1. Essential role a. A T&E WIPT must be established for every program to ensure that test and evaluation integration is accom- plished. The primary purpose of the T&E WIPT is to optimize the use of appropriate T&E expertise, instrumentation, facilities, simulations, and models to achieve test integration, thereby reducing costs to the Army and decreasing acquisition cycle time. b. The T&E WIPT supports the integrated T&E strategy, resolves issues, and assists the MATDEV in developing and coordinating the TEMP.
The primary objectives are to identify and resolve issues early, understand the issues and the rationale for the approach, and document a quality TEMP that is acceptable to all organizational levels as quickly and as efficiently as possible. All documents should be delivered in a timely manner to keep pace with T&E and acquisition schedules. The T&E WIPT will— (1) Integrate T&E requirements, accelerate the TEMP approval process by producing a coordinated TEMP, resolve cost and scheduling problems, and determine test data confirmation requirements.
(2) Provide a forum to assist personnel responsible for T&E documentation and execution, and ensure that T&E planning, execution, and reporting are directed toward common goals. The T&E WIPT will be the forum through which T&E coordination among all members of the acquisition team is accomplished. (3) Support the CE process by accomplishing early, more detailed, and continuing T&E documentation, planning, integration, and sharing of data. (4) Within their area of expertise, assist in preparing the T&E portions of the acquisition strategy, the RFP, and related contractual documents, and assist in evaluating contractor or developer proposals when there are T&E implications.
(5) Operate under the spirit and principles of the Integrated Product Team (IPT) and integrated product and process management (IPPM) or integrated product and process development (IPPD). The T&E WIPT will adhere to principles in the Defense Acquisition Guidebook to include: open discussion, proactive participation, empowerment, and early identification and resolution of issues. (6) Be established by the MATDEV after approval of a materiel need (for example, Mission Need Statement or DTLOMS Needs Analysis Report) to assist in finalizing the initial critical technical parameters, COIC, and TEMP for program initiation (MS B).
To ensure an integrated effort, the T&E WIPT must coordinate with other functional groups. (7) Be chaired by the MATDEV or designated representative. (8) Coordinate on requests for waivers of testing in an approved TEMP. (9) Immediately elevate disagreement on matters of substance through the Integrating IPT or command channels to the next higher level for decision. Problems not resolved at this point will be brought to the Army T&E Executive for decision. c. Minutes of all T&E WIPT meetings will be prepared by the T&E WIPT chairperson and distributed within 10 working days. 8–2. Test and evaluation working-level integrated product team composition a.
The MATDEV will ensure that all commands, field agencies, human resource elements, and other organizations, as appropriate, that have a role or may have a potential role in a particular program’s T&E are extended invitations to the initial T&E WIPT meeting. These organizations include but are not limited to the following: (1) MATDEV (PEO, PM, or other as appropriate). (2) Combat developer. 28 AR 73–1 • 1 August 2006