AAPC Integrated Test and Evaluation (T&E), Joint Capabilities Integration &
Development System (JCIDS), Defense Acquisition System (DAS), and Planning,
Programming, Budgeting, & Execution (PPBE): Assessing Operational
Effectiveness, Operational Suitability, Materiel Solution Analysis, Technology
Maturation, Risk Management, Verification & Validation, Systems Engineering,
Acquisition Strategy, Life-Cycle Cost, Performance-Based Logistics, Technical
Performance Measurement, Work Breakdown Structure, Source Selection,
Independent Operational Test, Developmental and Operational Testing, Low-
Rate Initial Production, Production Readiness, Producibility, Lean
Manufacturing, Agile Project Management, and Post-Government Employment
Constraints in Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is the difference between the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) and the Budget
Estimate Submission (BES)?
Program Objective Memorandum (POM) is a recommendation from the Services and Defense
Agencies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) concerning how they plan to allocate
resources (funding) for a program(s) to meet the Service Program Guidance (SPG) and Defense
Planning Guidance (DPG).
Budget Estimate Submission (BES) is the two-year DoD component's budget submissions to the
Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) showing budget requirements for inclusion in the DoD
budget during the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process.
Identify the primary objective of the JCIDS process.
The primary objective of the JCIDS process:
- ensure joint Warfighter's required capabilities
- to successfully execute assigned missions
,- identified with operational performance criteria
Define the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA).
· Acquisition positions
· Structured Approach
· Standards (Certifications)
· Training
· Defense Acquisition University (DAU)
Identify the three reasons why Congress passed DAWIA and the requirements of the law.
1. Defense systems are complex
2. Defense systems are costly
3. Requires qualified personnel
Define the role of the DoD Directors of Acquisition Career Management (DACM).
· One per DoD Service or Agency
· Establishes and monitors training requirements and DAWIA compliance
· Projects numbers of individuals requiring training annually
· Assigns students to required courses
· Certifies that DAWIA standards have been met
,What did Gansler Commission determined about Army contracting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and
Kuwait?
· Didn't have enough people,
· There was too little training,
· It was an antiquated system
Robust Systems Engineering
Robust Systems Engineering balance cost, schedule, and performance throughout the life cycle.
Define the quantitative measures of reliability:
· Mean - An average (i.e. Mean time between failure (MTBF))
· Availability: A measure of the degree to which an item is in the operable and committable
state at the start of the mission, when the mission is called for at an unknown (random) point in
time
· Maintainability: The probability that an item will conform to specified conditions within a given
period of time when corrective or preventive action is performed in accordance with prescribed
procedures and resources
What is the Integrated Product Team (IPT)?
· Concept was adapted from commercial business
· Intent was to streamline an antiquated, inefficient, stove-piped process
· Composed of stakeholders representing all appropriate functional disciplines to:
· Build successful programs
· Enabling decision makers to make the right decisions at the right time
, What are the two basic types of test and evaluation?
· Developmental Testing (DT)
· Operational Testing (OT)
Identify the major law directly affecting DoD systems acquisition management concerning
Environmental, Safety, & Occupational Health (ESOH) to include NEPA.
· National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Performance Based Logistics (PBL), now known as Performance Based Life Cycle Support
(PBLCS)
is the DoD preferred approach for product support.
Following the Materiel Development Decision (MDD),
MDA may authorize entry into the acquisition management system at any point consistent with
phase-specific entrance criteria and statutory requirements
Who conducts basic research for the DoD?
Universities · 60%
DOD and Federal Labs · 25%
Industry and Nonprofit Organizations · 15%
Development System (JCIDS), Defense Acquisition System (DAS), and Planning,
Programming, Budgeting, & Execution (PPBE): Assessing Operational
Effectiveness, Operational Suitability, Materiel Solution Analysis, Technology
Maturation, Risk Management, Verification & Validation, Systems Engineering,
Acquisition Strategy, Life-Cycle Cost, Performance-Based Logistics, Technical
Performance Measurement, Work Breakdown Structure, Source Selection,
Independent Operational Test, Developmental and Operational Testing, Low-
Rate Initial Production, Production Readiness, Producibility, Lean
Manufacturing, Agile Project Management, and Post-Government Employment
Constraints in Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) Exam Questions
Verified and Provided with Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
What is the difference between the Program Objective Memorandum (POM) and the Budget
Estimate Submission (BES)?
Program Objective Memorandum (POM) is a recommendation from the Services and Defense
Agencies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) concerning how they plan to allocate
resources (funding) for a program(s) to meet the Service Program Guidance (SPG) and Defense
Planning Guidance (DPG).
Budget Estimate Submission (BES) is the two-year DoD component's budget submissions to the
Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) showing budget requirements for inclusion in the DoD
budget during the Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process.
Identify the primary objective of the JCIDS process.
The primary objective of the JCIDS process:
- ensure joint Warfighter's required capabilities
- to successfully execute assigned missions
,- identified with operational performance criteria
Define the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA).
· Acquisition positions
· Structured Approach
· Standards (Certifications)
· Training
· Defense Acquisition University (DAU)
Identify the three reasons why Congress passed DAWIA and the requirements of the law.
1. Defense systems are complex
2. Defense systems are costly
3. Requires qualified personnel
Define the role of the DoD Directors of Acquisition Career Management (DACM).
· One per DoD Service or Agency
· Establishes and monitors training requirements and DAWIA compliance
· Projects numbers of individuals requiring training annually
· Assigns students to required courses
· Certifies that DAWIA standards have been met
,What did Gansler Commission determined about Army contracting in Iraq, Afghanistan, and
Kuwait?
· Didn't have enough people,
· There was too little training,
· It was an antiquated system
Robust Systems Engineering
Robust Systems Engineering balance cost, schedule, and performance throughout the life cycle.
Define the quantitative measures of reliability:
· Mean - An average (i.e. Mean time between failure (MTBF))
· Availability: A measure of the degree to which an item is in the operable and committable
state at the start of the mission, when the mission is called for at an unknown (random) point in
time
· Maintainability: The probability that an item will conform to specified conditions within a given
period of time when corrective or preventive action is performed in accordance with prescribed
procedures and resources
What is the Integrated Product Team (IPT)?
· Concept was adapted from commercial business
· Intent was to streamline an antiquated, inefficient, stove-piped process
· Composed of stakeholders representing all appropriate functional disciplines to:
· Build successful programs
· Enabling decision makers to make the right decisions at the right time
, What are the two basic types of test and evaluation?
· Developmental Testing (DT)
· Operational Testing (OT)
Identify the major law directly affecting DoD systems acquisition management concerning
Environmental, Safety, & Occupational Health (ESOH) to include NEPA.
· National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Performance Based Logistics (PBL), now known as Performance Based Life Cycle Support
(PBLCS)
is the DoD preferred approach for product support.
Following the Materiel Development Decision (MDD),
MDA may authorize entry into the acquisition management system at any point consistent with
phase-specific entrance criteria and statutory requirements
Who conducts basic research for the DoD?
Universities · 60%
DOD and Federal Labs · 25%
Industry and Nonprofit Organizations · 15%
