SD-15 Guide For Performance SpecificationsThis 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.

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Performance Specification Guide SD-15

CHAPTER 4: TYPES OF PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS

While the emphasis in this guide is primarily on defense and program-unique specifications covered by MIL-STD-961, Defense and Program-Unique Specifications Format and Content, there are other types of performances specifications that will be addressed in this chapter. Although the intent, stylistic elements, format, and content of these different types of performance specifications may vary, the fundamental principles for writing a performance requirement are similar.

NON-GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

OMB Circular A-119, Federal Participation in the Development and Use of Voluntary Consensus Standards and in Conformance Assessment Activities, states it is the policy of the Federal Government that each "agency should give preference to performance standards when such standards may reasonably be used in lieu of prescriptive standards."  It's not always easy to assess whether a non-Government standard is written in performance terms and generally

requires the user to read the document to make such assessment.  But there are many cases where the document title indicates it is a performance specification or standard.  Some examples are:

•  AIA NAS 1192, Performance Specification for Hard Anodic Coatings on Aluminum

Alloys

•  ANSI/CEA 2009, Performance Specification for Public Alert Receivers

•  ASTM C1157, Standard Performance Specification for Hydraulic Cement

•  IEC 60081, Double-capped Fluorescent Lamps - Performance Specifications

•  IPC 6011, Generic Performance Specification for Printed Boards

•  ISO 15837, Ships and Marine Technology - Gasketed Mechanical Couplings for Use in

Piping Systems - Performance Specification

•  NEMA WC 63.2, Performance Standard for Coaxial Premise Data Communications

•  SAE AS5498, Performance Specification for Inflight Icing Detection Systems

Most non-Government standards are written with detailed design requirements or a combination of detailed design and performance requirements.  While OMB Circular A-119 gives preference to performance non-Government standards, the Circular also gives preference to any type of non- Government standard over a Government document if the non-Government standard satisfies the Government's requirement.  Non-Government standards may usually be obtained online from

the standards developing organization that publishes them.

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