Site problemsAcquisition CategoriesPrograms are divided into Acquisition Categories (ACAT) based primarily on program value. Managementand oversight of acquisition programs increases as the value of the program increases. The most significant DoD and congressional oversight activities apply to Major Defense Acquisition Programs(MDAPs), which are categorized as ACAT I programs.An MDAP is defined as a program estimated by the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Technology) (USD (A&T) to require eventual expenditure for research, development, test, and evaluation of more than $355 million (fiscal year (FY) 96 constant dollars) or procurement of more than $2,135 billion (FY 96 constant dollars), or those designated by the USD (A&T) to be an ACAT I.ACAT I programs have been two sub-categories:1.ACAT ID - for which Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) is USD(A&T). The “D” refers to the Defense Acquisition Board (DAB), which advises the USD (A&T) at major decision points.2.ACAT IC - for which the MDA is the DoD Component Head or, if delegated, the DoD Component Acquisition Executive (CAE). The “C” refers to Component.The USD (A&T) designates programs as ACAT ID or ACAT IC.ACAT II Programs - are defined as those acquisition programs that do not meet the criteria for an ACAT I program, but does meet the criteria for a major system. A major system is defined as a programestimated by the DoD Component Head to require eventual expenditure for Research Development Testand Evaluation (RDT&E) of more than $140 million in FY 2000 constant dollars, or for a procurement ofmore than $660 million in FY 2000 constant dollars or those designated by the DoD Component Head tobe ACAT II. The MDA is the DoD CAE.ACAT III Programs - are defined as those acquisition programs that do not meet the criteria for an ACAT II. The MDA is designated by the CAE. This category includes less-than-major Automated Information Systems (AIS).
Site problems
Acquisition Categories
Programs are divided into Acquisition Categories (ACAT) based primarily on program value. Management
and oversight of acquisition programs increases as the value of the program increases. The most
significant DoD and congressional oversight activities apply to Major Defense Acquisition Programs
(MDAPs), which are categorized as ACAT I programs.
An MDAP is defined as a program estimated by the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and
Technology) (USD (A&T) to require eventual expenditure for research, development, test, and evaluation
of more than $355 million (fiscal year (FY) 96 constant dollars) or procurement of more than $2,135
billion (FY 96 constant dollars), or those designated by the USD (A&T) to be an ACAT I.
ACAT I programs have been two sub-categories:
1.
ACAT ID - for which Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) is USD(A&T). The “D” refers to the
Defense Acquisition Board (DAB), which advises the USD (A&T) at major decision points.
2.
ACAT IC - for which the MDA is the DoD Component Head or, if delegated, the DoD
Component Acquisition Executive (CAE). The “C” refers to Component.
The USD (A&T) designates programs as ACAT ID or ACAT IC.
ACAT II Programs - are defined as those acquisition programs that do not meet the criteria for an
ACAT I program, but does meet the criteria for a major system. A major system is defined as a program
estimated by the DoD Component Head to require eventual expenditure for Research Development Test
and Evaluation (RDT&E) of more than $140 million in FY 2000 constant dollars, or for a procurement of
more than $660 million in FY 2000 constant dollars or those designated by the DoD Component Head to
be ACAT II. The MDA is the DoD CAE.
ACAT III Programs - are defined as those acquisition programs that do not meet the criteria for an
ACAT II. The MDA is designated by the CAE. This category includes less-than-major Automated
Information Systems (AIS).
