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DOD Defense Acquisition Library
Below, our experts have curated a collection of valuable, publicly available, defense acquisition-related resources. In some cases, a policy or guide may be out of date; however, in our experts’ opinion, the listed version is still a useful resource that may no longer be available elsewhere.
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CATEGORY | Title | AUTHOR | RELEASE DATE | FILE TYPE | DESCRIPTION |
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Acquisition Planning | Defense Acquisition Life Cycle Milestone Chart | DAU | 10/21/2022 | PPT | This interactive tool illustrates decision points, milestones, and phases which are standard elements of the defense acquisition system (major capabilities); however, Milestone Decision Authorities, with program manager input, have full latitude to tailor programs in the most effective and efficient structure possible, unless constrained by statute.
Note: To use interactive version, open a "read only" copy and display slides in presentation mode.
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Acquisition Planning | Service Acquisition Mall | DAU | 02/21/2025 | Link | DAU's virtual Service Acquisition Mall (SAM) is intended to help you get your job done by providing usable tools and templates to create your performance-based service acquisition requirements. Helpful guidance is organized and provided through the use of DoD's 7-step service acquisition process model and various mall wings based on the type of services being acquired. |
Acquisition Planning | Intellectual Property (IP) Strategies for Artificial Intelligence Programs | OUSD(A&S) | 08/25/2025 | PDF | One of the most important aspects to the acquisition of an AI solution is understanding the required deliverables and license rights to the various types of data needed to successfully execute the program for its life cycle. The foundational best practices and guidance for IP strategies are found in the IP Guidebook for DoD Acquisition. This short AI focused job aid should be used in conjunction with that guide to highlight the unique considerations for AI. |
Acquisition Planning | Acquiring and Enforcing the Government's Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software under DOD Contracts: A Practical Handbook for Acquisition Professionals | SMC/JA | 10/10/2018 | PDF | Provides a practical “cradle-to-grave” approach to acquiring technical data and computer software rights. Intended to help acquisition professionals carefully tailor a strategy to satisfy the unique needs of their specific program. |
Acquisition Planning | Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Handbook | HAF/A5R-OAS | 08/04/2017 | PDF | The purpose of this handbook is to guide study teams in planning and conducting Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) studies. The handbook provides guidance on forming the Working Integrated Product Team (WIPT), developing the AoA study guidance and study plan, forming the AoA study team, conducting the study, and developing the final report. |
Acquisition Planning | Capability Development Guidebook - Vol 2D - Annex A - Analysis of Alternatives (AOA) | AF/A5/7 | 12/01/2023 | PDF | The focus of volume 2D, annex A is an analytical comparison of the operational effectiveness, suitability, and life cycle/total ownership cost of alternatives that could satisfy validated capability requirement(s) documented in the Initial Capabilities Document.
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Acquisition Planning | Capability Development Guidebook - Vol 2B - System Development Plan | AF/A5/7 | 02/01/2024 | PDF | This guidebook explains the organizational constructs, leadership and participant responsibilities, and activities led by AF/A5/7 to develop capability development plans and system development plans, in support of overarching operational capability development. |
Acquisition Planning | Competitive Strategies for Systems Acquisition and Life Cycle Management | Dayton Aerospace | 10/23/2017 | PDF | A practical guide for program managers on how to develop competitive acquisition strategies for each phase of the acquisition life cycle. Includes numerous real-world case studies. |
Acquisition Planning | Capability Development Guidebook - Vol 2J - Documentation Writing Teams | AF/A5/7 | 10/01/2023 | PDF | Document writing teams are used to develop USAF-sponsored requirements documents and provide consistent cross-functional involvement in requirements generation. The intent is to accelerate the documentation process, improve the quality of the documents, and provide an enduring forum for developing, fielding, and sustaining operational systems. |
Acquisition Planning | Guidebook for the Acquisition of Services | DOD | 06/05/2012 | PDF | Provides acquisition teams with a disciplined, seven-step process, for the acquisition of services, starting with a valid mission requirement, through planning, business strategy development, service delivery, and assessment. This guidebook will not be updated - much is still useful. but for the latest guidance see chapter 10 of the Defense Acquisition Guidebook. |
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