Major Capability Acquisition (MCA)
AAF > MCA > Develop Strategies > Cost Analysis Requirements Description
Activities Across Phases
Technical Reviews
Develop Strategies
Program Management
Cost Estimation/Affordability
MDD
MSA PHASE
Develop Requirements
Analysis of Alternatives
Study Contracts
Milestone A
TMRR PHASE
Mature Requirements
Prototype Contracts
Prototyping
Develop Preliminary Design
CDD Validation
Dev RFP Release Decision
Milestone B
EMD PHASE
Development Contracts
Complete System Design
Develop System
Developmental Testing
Milestone C
P&D PHASE
Production Contracts
Low Rate Initial Production
Operational Testing
FRP Decision
Full Rate Production/Deployment
O&S PHASE
Sustainment Contracts
Sustain System
IOC/FOC
Cost Analysis Requirements Description (CARD)
How To Use This Site
Each page in this pathway presents a wealth of curated knowledge from acquisition policies, guides, templates, training, reports, websites, case studies, and other resources. It also provides a framework for functional experts and practitioners across DoD to contribute to the collective knowledge base. This site aggregates official DoD policies, guides, references, and more.
DoD and Service policy is indicated by a BLUE vertical line.
Directly quoted material is preceeded with a link to the Reference Source.
Reference Source: DAG CH 2-3.5 Cost Analysis Requirements Description
The Cost Analysis Requirements Description (CARD) is a complete, detailed description of a DoD program for use in preparing an ICE, POE, CCE, CCP, or other cost estimate, as required. The CARD is completed by the program office staff as they should have the most in-depth knowledge and understanding of the program details.
The foundation of a sound cost estimate is a well-defined program, and the CARD is used to articulate details about the program. The primary objective of the CARD is to succinctly describe the key technical, programmatic, operational, and sustainment characteristics of a program, along with supporting data sources, and to provide all of the program information necessary to develop a cost estimate. By using the CARD, different organizations preparing cost estimates can develop their estimates based on the same understanding of program requirements. As a program evolves and its costs and funding needs change, the CARD, as a living document, evolves with it.
The secondary objective of the CARD is to collect in-depth technical data to allow for validation or updating of cost estimating relationships (CERs) and the development of new CERs. Though not required for completion of estimates, this information, particularly for systems whose designs have matured to the point of deployment, is of great value to the entire acquisition community in ensuring high quality estimates in the future.
The CARD is composed of a narrative and a workbook. Requirements for the narrative, as well as template workbooks for each commodity, are available electronically at http://cade.osd.mil/policy/card.