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Value and Impact of Operational Test & Evaluation: Industry Perspectives

Explore the objective and benefits of Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) in demonstrating compliance with operational requirements and providing the best possible systems. Understand the dichotomy between testers and contractors and the issues and solutions related to concurrent DT/OT. Learn about the involvement of contractors in operational tests and the progress made in improving the OT process.

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Value and Impact of Operational Test & Evaluation: Industry Perspectives

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  1. Industry Weighs in on the Value/Impact of Operational Test & Evaluation/Developmental Operational Test & Evaluation W. John Stoddart Executive Vice President and President - Defense Oshkosh Truck Corporation

  2. Benefits of OT&E • Objective and benefits of Operational Test and Evaluation/Developmental Operational Test and Evaluation are obvious: • Demonstrate compliance with all operational requirements in realistic field conditions, in a timely manner, to provide the best possible system to the soldier, sailor, airman and marine!

  3. Tester/Contractor Perspectives • While all agree on the objective of OT&E, a dichotomy appears:  • Tester Goal: Verify system performance in a conservative manner and report on all significant issues prior to fielding. • Contractor Goal: Provide the best value in terms of contract compliance, cost, performance and schedule.  • In short, the tester views OT&E as a reduction of risk, while the contractor sees OT&E as a programmatic risk!

  4. Flashback 2001 - Acquisition Streamlining Versus Test-fix-test • Opportunities and Issues:  • DoD 5000.2-R encourages a combined DT/OT to achieve time and cost savings. • DOT&E Annual Report to Congress says “There is a disturbing trend of programs entering dedicated OT&E without having completed sufficient operationally relevant development test and evaluation.”  • Too often the result of concurrent DT/OT is the successful completion of DT and an OT equipment rating of unsuitable.  • Possible Solutions:  • Delay start of OT until partial completion of DT. • Allow controlled fixes from DT to be applied in OT. • Develop provisions for assessment of fixes to OT problems

  5. Flashback 2001 – Contractor Involvement in Operational Tests • Opportunities and Issues: • The law (10 USC 2399) says “…No person employed by the contractor for the system being tested may be involved in the conduct of the Operational Test and Evaluation…”  • The law does not say the contractor cannot observe the test, have access to documents (i.e., the TEMP), participate as an observer in the IPT’s, or be provided early test data.  • Contractor involvement/observation can help in acquisition streamlining, thus decreasing test time and cost.  • Possible Solutions: • Allow contractors to observe tests. • Allow access to the TEMP and IPT’s • Provide early test data to plan fixes

  6. Progress Update on Improvements to the OT Process (Contractor Perspective) • Delay start of OT until partial completion of DT. Many program schedules now reflect OT starting after significant DT work has been completed. • Allow controlled fixes from DT to be applied in OT. OT directors have allowed fixed from DT in some situations, always if safety is involved. • Develop provisions for assessment of fixes to OT problems. Little progress has been demonstrated in this area.  • Allow Contractors to observe tests. Some progress has occurred here, however, there are still concerns on contractor involvement/influence of test results.  • Allow access to the TEMP and IPT’s. contractor involvement in test planning meetings and review of TEMP’s has improved greatly.  • Provide early test data to plan fixes. Contractor awareness of test issues has improved, however, still second or third hand information. Real time access to TIR’s still a concern.

  7. Today’s Reality • Significant progress/improvement has been made with regard to the acquisition process as it relates to concurrent DT/OT, however, there are still opportunities for Government and Contractor personnel to work together.  • Equipment manufacturers also provide services such as Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) and Field Service Representatives (FSR’s) to support fielded equipment, in many cases embedded with the units.

  8. NDIA Industrial Committee on Operational Test and Evaluation (ICOTE) Challenge • What are the next steps to further improve the DT/OT process as it relates to acquisition streamlining?  • Does the current DT/OT process reflect reality, given the equipment manufacturers’ efforts to support the war fighter through contractor logistics support and field service representatives?

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