§ 4251.
Major defense acquisition programs: factors to be considered before Milestone A approval
(b)
Factors to Be Considered for Milestone a Approval.—
A major defense acquisition program or subprogram may not receive Milestone A approval or otherwise be initiated prior to Milestone B approval until the milestone decision authority confirms that the following factors were considered in the decision to grant Milestone A approval:
(1)
The program or subprogram fulfills an approved requirements document.
(2)
The program or subprogram has conducted appropriate market research.
(3)
With respect to any identified areas of risk, there is a plan to reduce the risk.
(4)
Planning for sustainment has been addressed.
(5)
An analysis of alternatives has been performed consistent with study guidance developed by the Director of Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation, or in lieu of an analysis of alternatives, early experimentation with a combatant commander has been conducted.
(6)
A life cycle cost estimate for the program or subprogram has been submitted by the component and that the level of resources required to complete the technology maturation and risk reduction phase of the program is sufficient for successful program execution.
(7)
The program or subprogram meets any other considerations the milestone decision authority considers relevant.
(Added [Pub. L. 110–181, div. A, title IX, § 943(a)(1)], Jan. 28, 2008, [122 Stat. 288], § 2366b; renumbered § 2366a and amended [Pub. L. 110–417], [div. A], title VIII, § 813(b), (e)(1), Oct. 14, 2008, [122 Stat. 4527]; [Pub. L. 111–23, title I, § 101(d)(3)], title II, §§ 201(e), 204(a), (b), May 22, 2009, [123 Stat. 1710], 1720, 1723; [Pub. L. 111–383, div. A, title VIII, § 814(b)], title X, § 1075(b)(33), Jan. 7, 2011, [124 Stat. 4266], 4370; [Pub. L. 112–81, div. A, title VIII, § 801(a)], (e)(1), Dec. 31, 2011, [125 Stat. 1482], 1483; [Pub. L. 112–239, div. A, title III, § 322(e)(1)], title X, § 1076(a)(10), Jan. 2, 2013, [126 Stat. 1695], 1948; [Pub. L. 114–92, div. A, title VIII, § 823(a)], Nov. 25, 2015, [129 Stat. 902]; [Pub. L. 114–328, div. A, title VIII], §§ 806(b), 807(d), 808(a), Dec. 23, 2016, [130 Stat. 2259], 2262; [Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, § 831(b)(2)], Aug. 13, 2018, [132 Stat. 1857]; [Pub. L. 116–92, div. A, title XVII, § 1731(a)(44)], Dec. 20, 2019, [133 Stat. 1814]; renumbered § 4251 and amended [Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title XVIII, § 1847(d)(1)], Jan. 1, 2021, [134 Stat. 4254]; [Pub. L. 118–159, div. A, title VIII, § 806(a)(1)], Dec. 23, 2024, [138 Stat. 1972].)