Analysis of contracting methods employed in the advanced concept technology demonstration program

Abstract

The Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) Program, initiated by DoD as a joint acquisition and warfighting community effort, is intended to exploit mature and maturing technologies to assist in solving identified military needs. The focus of the research is to examine the ACTD program, its three classes and the contracting methods employed in each class. The objective of this research is to determine if contracting methodology is a critical decision element in the ACTD process and provide recommendations for Government contracting personnel in contracting for future ACTDs. This study compares and contrasts procurements through the formal acquisition process to those via the ACTD Program. Additionally, major ACTD outcomes, issues, challenges and lessons learned are analyzed to assess how they may impact the contracting process. Due to the highly diverse nature of ACTD systems, the choice or prescription of a particular contract method was not found to be a critical process element. The ACTD process should remain flexible to achieve the objectives for which it was established. Contracting officials should be encouraged to tailor the acquisition process to the needs of the particular programs, minimize cost, schedule and performance risks and incentivize contractor performance to the maximum extent possible.