§ 1834.001 - Definitions.

(a) Down-selection. In a phased procurement, the process of selecting contractors for phases subsequent to the initial phase from among the preceding phase contractors.

(b) Major system. Any system that: Is directed at and critical to fulfilling an agency mission; entails the allocation of a relatively large amount of resources; or warrants special management attention. Designation of a system as “major” is made in accordance with NMI 7120.4, “Management of Major System Programs and Projects,” and NHB 7120.5, “Management of Major System Programs and Projects Handbook.”

(c) Phased procurement. A program comprised of several distinct steps or phases (e.g., preliminary analysis, definition, design, and development) where the realization of program objectives requires a planned, sequential acquisition of each step or phase. The phases in a phased procurement may be acquired separately, in combination, or through a down-selection strategy.

(d) Progressive competition. A type of down-selection strategy for a phased procurement. In this method, a single solicitation is issued for all phases of the program. The initial phase contracts are awarded, and the contractors for subsequent phases are expected to be chosen through a down-selection from among the preceding phase contractors. In each phase, progressively fewer contracts are awarded until a single contractor is chosen for the final phase. Normally, all down-selections are accomplished without issuance of a new, formal solicitation.