Contracting Cone
Contracting Scenarios
Supplies/Commodities
Non-Developmental Item/COTS
Non-Commercial Products/Services
IT Hardware
IT Services
Advisory & Assistance Services (A&AS)
Other Services
Information/Business Systems
Major System Development
Major System Upgrades
Software Development
Research & Development (R&D) Studies
Prototyping
Construction
Urgent Needs
Major System Upgrades/Modernization
Modernization and technology enhancements of existing major acquisition systems such as modifications to subsystems of aircraft, ships, etc.
For the DoD, the Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) pathway is used to acquire and modernize military unique programs in accordance with DoDI 5000.85 – Major Capability Acquisition.
The Software Acquisition pathway is to facilitate rapid and iterative delivery of software capability to the user in accordance with DoDI 5000.87 – Operation of the Software Acquisition Pathway.
Strategies to Explore First
While many of the contracting strategies could apply, the following are well-suited for Defense Acquisition Program Upgrades/Modernization:
This is NOT an all exhaustive list. Other contract strategies on the Contracting Cone may achieve mission outcomes based upon unique program objectives and constraints.