Performance Specification Guide SD-15
CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION
PURPOSE
This document provides guidance information on performance specifications focusing primarily on stating requirements in performance terms and ensuring that sufficient verification means are included in the specification to evaluate conformance. While the focus of this document is on defense specifications developed under DoD 4120.24-M, Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Policies and Procedures, the principles and techniques can also be applied to program- unique performance specifications, performance-based purchase descriptions, commercial item descriptions, or any other type of procurement specification. This guide is intended to supplement the format and content requirements for writing performance specifications found in MIL-STD-961, Defense and Program-Unique Specifications Format and Content.
BACKGROUND
There is a widely-held belief that the DoD policy to state requirements in terms of performance, whenever possible, began with Secretary of Defense William Perry's June 29, 1994 policy memorandum on Specifications and Standards - A New Way of Doing Business. In fact, stating requirements in performance terms has been emphasized, whenever practicable, since the establishment of the DSP in 1952. What changed with Secretary Perry's policy memorandum was (1) a waiver was required to cite detailed military specifications as requirements in all major acquisition category (ACAT) programs as defined by DoD Instruction 5000.02, Operation of the Defense Acquisition System and (2) the creation of a new type of document designation, the military performance specification, or MIL-PRF.
Prior to the beginning of acquisition reform in 1994, no distinction was made between those military specifications whose requirements were stated in performance terms, detailed design terms, or more likely, a combination of both. Once Secretary Perry required waivers to cite detailed military specifications as requirements in ACAT programs, it became important to clearly distinguish between detailed military specifications and performance military specifications, since performance military specifications did not require waivers for use. It also became important to provide guidance on what constituted a performance specification and how to write performance requirements, hence the original issuance of this guide in June of 1995.
From 1994-2000, the DoD reviewed over 29,000 military specifications and standards, resulting in 6100 documents being canceled without replacement and 3500 being canceled and superseded by non-Government standards, commercial item descriptions, handbooks, and - defense performance specifications. Today, there are nearly 2600 defense performance specifications under the DSP.
1
For Parts Inquires call Parts Hangar, Inc (727) 493-0744
© Copyright 2015 Integrated Publishing, Inc.
A Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business