Considerations in Applying Design to Cost to the Image Processing Segment of the Tactical Information Processing and Interpretation (TIPI) Program.

摘要

Four areas of concern are pursued in this study; specifically, the Tactical Information Processing and Interpretation (TIPI) and the Image Processing (IP) segment are reviewed prior to any attempt to investigate the Design to Cost (DTC) issues. The last two areas addressed are the DTC conceptual framework and the implications of the application of the concept to the IP segment. Of significance in the research of the TIPI and the IP segment is the fact the IP segment is entering full scale development and is considered to be a low risk effort. An equally significant discovery was the fact that there is limited coverage given to the DTC concept in either the Advance Procurement Plan or the statement of work. DTC appears deceptively simple; however, considerable time and effort must be expended by the IP segment office in order to transform the buzz-word into a meaningful concept. The cogent mechanisms which must be used as precursors of the transformation are the Request for Proposal and the contract provisions. Both must be structured to achieve a mutual understanding of not only the concept of DTC but also the specifics that will be required of the contractor. (Author)