Government Contracting Terms & Definitions

This program, administered by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), helps small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals gain access to federal contracting opportunities.

A designation that determines the level of review, decision authority, and applicable procedures for an acquisition program.

A document that establishes the baseline for cost, schedule, and performance objectives for a specific acquisition program.

A program that ensures the quality of products and services acquired by the government through various quality assurance activities.

A meeting held to review and approve the acquisition strategy for a specific procurement.

A contracting officer responsible for the administrative aspects of a contract, including modifications and management.

A family of IDIQ contracts for IT products, services, and solutions.

A major command of the United States Air Force responsible for air mobility operations.

A multiple-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract vehicle that provides flexible access to customized IT solutions from a large, diverse pool of industry partners.

A multiple-award IDIQ contract that provides federal agencies with customized IT services and IT services-based solutions from small businesses.

A report that summarizes the performance of a contractor or program over the previous year.

Professional services required to support planning, design, construction, and maintenance of facilities.

A family of IDIQ contracts for IT services and solutions.

A tool used by the United States Army to manage and track requirements and resources.

A non-profit organization facilitating cooperative purchasing for schools.

A professional association for proposal managers and professionals.

A formal declaration by a designated approving authority that authorizes operation of a business product and explicitly accepts the risk to agency operations.

Any equipment or interconnected system or subsystems of equipment that is used in the automatic acquisition, storage, manipulation, management, movement, control, display, switching, interchange, transmission, or reception of data or information.

A system used by the Department of Homeland Security to screen individuals entering and exiting the United States.

An assembly of computer hardware, software, firmware, or any combination of these, configured to accomplish specific information handling operations, such as communication, processing, data conversion, or data acquisition.

An agreement containing terms and conditions applying to future contracts between parties during its term.

The last proposal revision opportunity provided to offerors.

A formal objection raised by an interested party against the award or proposed award of a government contract.

A process used to verify the accuracy and completeness of a contractor's bid or proposal.

A list of the components, parts, and materials required to construct, manufacture, or repair a product or service.

An estimate of the final page count of a document.

A simplified acquisition method that allows agencies to establish 'charge accounts' with qualified sources of supply.

A general announcement of an agency’s research interest.

The process by which government agencies submit budget estimates to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the upcoming fiscal year.

The earned value of the work actually performed in a given time period.

The budgeted cost for the work scheduled to be performed in a given time period.

A cooperative purchasing program for Texas schools.

A unique identifier assigned to suppliers to various government or defense agencies.

A cooperative purchasing program for California state agencies.

A process improvement approach that provides organizations with the essential elements of effective processes that ultimately improve their performance.

A Maryland state contract vehicle for IT consulting and technical services.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the CDC.

A former system where companies had to register to do business with the federal government, now part of SAM.

A certification offered by APMP for proposal professionals.

A professional certification for public buyers.

A professional certification for public procurement counselors.

A professional certification for public procurement officers.

The senior executive responsible for the information technology and computer systems within an organization.

A Government-Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) that provides IT solutions and services.

A law aimed at improving federal IT management and acquisition.

A commander of one of the unified or specified combatant commands established by the President.

Commercially available products that can be purchased and used under government contract without modification.

A smart card used as standard identification for active-duty military personnel, reserve personnel, civilian employees, and eligible contractor personnel.

An e-procurement system for Massachusetts state agencies.

A cooperative purchasing program for Pennsylvania local governments.

The protection of communications from unauthorized access or revision.

A consolidated IT contract vehicle for the U.S. Army.

Actions taken to protect, monitor, analyze, detect, and respond to unauthorized activity within the Department of Defense information systems and computer networks.

A verbal or graphic statement, in broad outline, of a commander's assumptions or intent in regard to an operation or series of operations.

An association dedicated to improving construction specifications and codes.

A plan that ensures the continuation of essential functions during a wide range of emergencies.

An office responsible for administering government contracts, ensuring compliance with terms and conditions.

A list of data requirements imposed on a contractor under a government contract.

A specific item in a contract, detailing the quantity, unit price, total cost, and description of the service or item to be provided.

A process for identifying potential risks associated with a particular contract or procurement action.

The use of contract personnel to provide services to the government on a temporary or permanent basis.

A code that identifies the contracting activity within an agency.

A person authorized to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings.

The official authorized to enter into, administer, and terminate contracts on behalf of the government.

An individual designated and authorized in writing by the contracting officer to perform specific technical or administrative functions.

An individual authorized to assist in the technical monitoring or administration of a contract.

A council providing advice and recommendations to government.

A review to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the contractor’s purchasing system.

Information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls pursuant to and consistent with applicable law, regulations, and government-wide policies but is not classified under Executive Order 13526 or the Atomic Energy Act, as amended.

A cooperative purchasing program for New Mexico schools.

The sharing of contracts between government entities to increase efficiency.

An agreement between a government agency and a private company to collaborate on research and development.

A plan developed to address deficiencies identified in a performance evaluation.

Standards established to achieve uniformity and consistency in the cost accounting principles followed by government contractors.

An analysis used to evaluate the cost and operational benefits of a proposed project.

A process of comparing the costs and benefits of a decision or project.

A comprehensive set of processes that enables an organization to achieve its cost management objectives.

An agreement where two or more parties share the costs of a project.

A contract where the contractor is paid a fixed fee plus reimbursement of allowable costs.

A contract where the contractor is paid an incentive fee based on performance plus reimbursement of allowable costs.

A contract where the contractor is paid a percentage of the costs as profit.

A systematic process for calculating and comparing the benefits and costs of a project or decision.

A unified standard for implementing cybersecurity across the Defense Industrial Base (DIB).

A document defining the data required of a contractor.

A form used to convey security requirements classification guidance, and provide handling procedures for classified material received and/or generated on a classified contract.

The regulations used by the Department of Defense for procurement of goods and services prior to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).

The corporate university for the Defense Acquisition Workforce, providing practitioner training, career management, and services to enable the acquisition, requirements, and contingency professionals who serve in the Department of Defense acquisition system.

An agency of the Department of Defense responsible for the development of emerging technologies for use by the military.

A Department of Defense agency responsible for performing all contract audits for the Department of Defense.

A Department of Defense agency that works directly with defense suppliers to help ensure the products and services they provide meet the required specifications.

The regulations used by the Department of Defense for procurement of goods and services.

A supplement to the FAR that provides DoD-specific acquisition regulations that DoD government acquisition officials and contractors doing business with DoD must follow in the procurement process for goods and services.

An agency responsible for financial and accounting services for the Department of Defense.

The worldwide industrial complex with the capabilities required to perform research and development, design, produce, deliver, and maintain military weapon systems, subsystems, components, or parts to meet U.S. military requirements.

A combat support agency of the Department of Defense responsible for planning, engineering, acquiring, fielding, and supporting global net-centric solutions to serve the needs of the President, Vice President, Secretary of Defense, and other DoD components.

A contract vehicle for IT solutions for DISA.

An organization within the Department of Defense that contracts with commercial companies to solve national defense problems.

A combat support agency in the Department of Defense that provides worldwide logistics support for the missions of the Military Departments and the Unified Combatant Commands under conditions of peace and war.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the DLA.

A law that provides the President with certain authorities to ensure the timely availability of essential domestic industrial resources to support national defense and homeland security requirements.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the USDA.

A contract vehicle for managed IT services for the Department of Commerce.

A cabinet department responsible for establishing policy for, administering, and coordinating most federal assistance to education.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the Department of Education.

A contract vehicle for ICT products and services for the DOE.

The central procurement agency for several states, including California and Pennsylvania.

A cabinet department responsible for promoting the health and well-being of Americans.

A cabinet department responsible for protecting the U.S. from terrorism and other domestic threats.

A suite of contract vehicles for IT services.

A contract vehicle for telecommunications services for HUD.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the Department of Justice.

A contract vehicle for leadership development services for the DOS.

A contract vehicle for IT and other support services for the Department of State.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the Department of the Interior.

A cabinet department responsible for providing services to U.S. military veterans.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the VA.

A contract vehicle for vetting and background investigation services for the VA.

Software used for formatting and layout of proposal documents.

An IDIQ contract vehicle for commercial off-the-shelf IT commodities and solutions.

A term used to describe the loss or impending loss of manufacturers or suppliers of items or raw materials.

The inventory of materials that are directly incorporated into the final product or service being produced.

A certification for businesses owned by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals.

A contracting officer who administers contracts at a division or plant level.

A cabinet department responsible for promoting economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.

The executive branch department charged with coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government directly related to national security and the United States Armed Forces.

An integrated set of models, products, and data that provides a standard way to organize architecture data into distinct, consistent views and representations.

A cabinet department responsible for energy policy and nuclear safety.

A cabinet department responsible for the management and conservation of federal lands and natural resources.

A name under which a company operates that is different from its legal registered name.

A cabinet department responsible for enforcing the law and administering justice.

A cabinet department responsible for fostering, promoting, and developing the welfare of wage earners, job seekers, and retirees.

A cabinet department responsible for international relations and U.S. foreign policy.

A cabinet department responsible for developing and coordinating policies that provide an efficient and economical national transportation system.

A contract vehicle for sensor systems for the DOT.

A preliminary version of an RFP issued for the purpose of soliciting comments and feedback before the final RFP is released.

A unique nine-digit identifier for businesses created by Dun & Bradstreet.

A methodology for measuring project progress and performance.

A systematic approach to determining the optimum use of scarce resources, involving comparison of two or more alternatives in achieving a specific objective under given assumptions and constraints.

A contract provision that allows for adjustment of prices based on changes in economic conditions.

A woman-owned small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more women who are considered economically disadvantaged.

A cooperative purchasing program for higher education.

The computer-to-computer exchange of business data in a standard format.

The electronic transfer of money from one bank account to another.

The process of evaluating and analyzing engineering problems and developing technical solutions.

A modification to the design, specification, or manufacturing process of a product.

A formal written order to make a change to a product or system.

A proposal for a design change to an existing product or system.

The use of information technology across an entire organization or enterprise.

A contract vehicle for telecommunications and networking services.

A process used by companies to manage and integrate important parts of their business, including product planning, parts purchasing, inventory management, and more.

A document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for actions 'significantly affecting the quality of the human environment.'

An independent agency responsible for protecting human health and the environment.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the EPA.

A contract vehicle for environmental monitoring systems for the EPA.

The principle that all individuals should have equal treatment in all employment-related actions.

An estimate of the remaining cost to complete a project or task.

An e-procurement system for Virginia state agencies.

A directive issued by the President of the United States that manages operations of the federal government.

A measure used to assess the condition of a facility or group of facilities.

The principal set of rules governing the acquisition process by which agencies acquire goods and services.

Legislation enacted to simplify and streamline the federal procurement process.

An agency under DoT responsible for the safety of civil aviation.

A contract vehicle for IT hardware and software for the FAA.

A website where government procurement opportunities are posted.

An independent agency that regulates interstate and international communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the FCC.

A contract vehicle for IT services for the FEC.

An agency under DHS responsible for coordinating the response to disasters that overwhelm local and state resources.

A contract vehicle for IT and other support services for FEMA.

Standards developed by the federal government for use in computer systems by non-military government agencies and government contractors.

A law that defines a comprehensive framework to protect government information, operations, and assets against threats.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for FLETC.

A database that contains detailed information on federal contract actions.

A coding system used to group logistically related items of supply.

A service provided by the GSA to assist federal agencies in procuring supplies.

An independent agency that promotes consumer protection and eliminates and prevents anticompetitive business practices.

An organization that conducts research and development under sponsorship by the U.S. government.

A government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud products and services.

A contractor's final revision to its proposal submitted after negotiations in a competitive procurement.

A contract where the price is not subject to any adjustments based on the contractor's cost experience in performing the contract.

The 12-month period for which an organization plans the use of its funds.

A contract where the final price is subject to an incentive clause based on the relationship of final negotiated total cost to total target cost.

A contract that allows for adjustment of the fixed price if certain conditions are met.

A shipping term where the seller retains the risk of loss until the goods reach the buyer's location.

A marking used by the U.S. government to identify sensitive information that is not classified but may be exempt from public release.

A program through which the U.S. government sells defense articles and services to foreign governments and international organizations.

A law that gives individuals the right to access information from the federal government.

Expenses that cannot be directly charged to a specific cost objective, such as a contract or project.

An independent agency of the United States government that manages and supports the basic functioning of federal agencies.

A federal initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from federal operations and facilities.

An independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress and investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars.

Equipment that the government owns and makes available to a contractor for the performance of a contract.

Information provided by the government to a contractor for use in the performance of a contract.

Material provided by the government to a contractor for use in the performance of a contract.

Property in the possession of or directly acquired by the government and subsequently delivered to or otherwise made available to the contractor.

A contract vehicle for automated identification and measurement systems for the GPO.

A pre-qualified, multiple-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract that is awarded to provide for the acquisition of a wide range of commercial and non-commercial services and products.

An entity that leverages collective buying power to obtain discounts.

An online shopping and ordering system that provides access to thousands of contractors and millions of products and services.

A multiple-award IDIQ contract for customized IT solutions.

A contract vehicle for telecommunications and network services.

Long-term government contracts with commercial firms providing federal, state, and local government buyers access to products and services at volume discount pricing.

A contract vehicle for customized training and development, human capital strategy, and organizational performance improvement services.

The official who has overall responsibility for managing the contracting activity within an agency.

A contract vehicle for professional services for HHS.

A cooperative purchasing program for the Houston area.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Regulations that govern procurement by the Department of Homeland Security.

A presidential directive on matters pertaining to homeland security policies, roles and responsibilities.

A program that provides federal contracting opportunities for qualified small businesses located in distressed areas.

The security discipline that enables the right individuals to access the right resources at the right times for the right reasons.

A set of technical capabilities that enable the management of digital identities and their authentication across an enterprise.

A phrase used to indicate that something is being done according to a particular standard or requirement.

A type of contract that provides for an indefinite quantity of supplies or services during a fixed period.

A cost estimate developed by the government to provide a realistic estimate of the probable cost of a project.

The government's estimated cost for a requirement.

Research and development conducted by a company that is not directly sponsored by a government contract.

A process of independently assessing the correctness of the life cycle products and processes being developed or maintained.

A cost that cannot be identified specifically with or directly charged to a particular final cost objective, such as a contract or project.

An advisory group on industrial security policy.

DoD regulations governing industrial security programs.

An event hosted by a government agency or prime contractor to provide information to potential vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors about an upcoming procurement opportunity, promote competition, and allow industry to ask questions and provide feedback before the solicitation is released.

The protection of information and information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.

Policies for acquiring information systems.

An environment for developing and testing information systems.

An Army contract vehicle for IT hardware.

An Army contract vehicle for IT services.

An Army contract vehicle for commercial off-the-shelf software.

The first attainment of the capability to employ effectively a weapon, item of equipment, or system of approved specific characteristics.

An official responsible for preventing inefficient or unlawful operations within their parent agency.

A tool used to capture and report software data and cost data associated with software development and maintenance activities.

A review to ensure alignment among requirements, resources, and execution plans.

A comprehensive plan that identifies all program requirements and associated tasks for the execution of a program.

A comprehensive schedule integrating all proposal activities.

A multi-disciplinary group of people who are collectively responsible for delivering a defined product or process.

A cross

A multidisciplinary group of people who are collectively responsible for delivering a defined product or process.

A plan describing the overall testing approach for a system or product.

Pricing and negotiation support services.

An independent, non-governmental international organization that develops and publishes international standards.

Regulations that control the export and import of defense-related articles and services.

A system for exchanging contract data.

A formal request for sealed bids in public contracting.

A financial instrument used in international trade to guarantee payment.

A contract vehicle for commercial IT products, services, and solutions from small businesses.

A contract vehicle that provides employment opportunities for individuals who are blind or have other severe disabilities.

A code used to identify and track costs associated with a specific job, project, or contract.

A type of contract in which a contractor performs small construction tasks on an as-needed basis.

A program to develop a family of single-seat, single-engine, multi-role fighter aircraft for the United States Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allies.

A business partnership between two or more parties for a specific project.

A document required to justify a contracting officer's decision to award a contract without full and open competition.

A formal milestone decision point in the acquisition lifecycle that marks the transition between acquisition phases.

A measurable value that demonstrates how effectively a company is achieving key business objectives.

A performance attribute that is considered crucial for the successful execution of a system's mission.

A cooperative purchasing program for Pennsylvania schools.

A cooperative purchasing program for Washington schools.

The attributes required to perform a job and used to determine an applicant's qualifications.

A report that shows the allocation of labor hours and costs to various projects or tasks.

A unit of measure for pricing labor services, typically used in cost-reimbursement contracts.

The personnel and equipment involved in launching and recovering aircraft or spacecraft.

A document outlining the terms and conditions of an agreement between two parties.

A type of contract where the effort is stated as a specific number of hours or a period of time.

The total cost of ownership of a system or product over its full life cycle, from acquisition to disposal.

An estimate of the total cost of a system or product over its entire life cycle.

A synthetic training environment integrating live, virtual, and constructive elements to support training and mission rehearsal.

The first phase of production for a new system or product, involving a limited quantity to confirm manufacturing processes and to support initial operational testing.

A source selection process in which the lowest priced proposal that meets the minimum requirements is selected.

Supplies and services used in the maintenance and repair of facilities.

An automated information system that is designated by the DoD Component Head as a major automated information system or is estimated to require program costs in any single year in excess of prescribed dollar thresholds.

An acquisition program that is not a highly sensitive classified program and that is estimated to require an eventual total expenditure for research, development, test and evaluation of more than $480 million in fiscal year 2014 constant dollars or, for procurement, of more than $2.79 billion in fiscal year 2014 constant dollars.

A legacy DoD contract administration system.

An agreement between two or more parties outlined in a formal document.

A body adjudicating federal employee appeals.

The company that produces widely used office software like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for proposals.

The individual who has overall responsibility for a program and who has the authority to approve entry into the next phase of the acquisition process.

A document used by the Department of Defense to transfer funds between DoD components for procuring goods or services.

A cooperative purchasing program for government healthcare facilities.

A business classification indicating ownership by minorities and women.

A program intended to level the playing field for minority-owned businesses.

A Navy contract vehicle for business and operations support services.

A team composed of members from different functional areas working together towards a common goal.

A contract awarded to multiple vendors for the same or similar products or services.

A type of contract awarded to multiple vendors to perform the same or similar services, with specific task orders issued against the contract as needed.

A contract vehicle for enterprise applications and services for NASA.

A multi-award GWAC that provides federal agencies with IT products and services.

A cooperative purchasing program facilitated by NASPO.

An independent agency responsible for the civilian space program and aeronautics research.

A contract vehicle for electronic records management for NARA.

A non-profit association representing state procurement officials.

A national cooperative purchasing program.

A manual that prescribes requirements, restrictions, and other safeguards to prevent unauthorized disclosure of classified information.

A non-profit organization providing support, certification, and training for public procurement professionals.

A non-regulatory federal agency that promotes innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing standards, measurement science, and technology.

An agency under HHS responsible for biomedical and public health research.

A contract vehicle for biomedical informatics and IT for NIH.

An IDIQ contract vehicle for health IT services and solutions.

A federal executive agent authorized by the Office of Management and Budget to administer three government-wide acquisition contracts (GWACs) for IT.

A national cooperative purchasing program.

A public agency that facilitates cooperative purchasing.

An agency under DoC that studies the conditions of the oceans, major waterways, and the atmosphere.

A contract vehicle for IT and other support services for NOAA.

A contract vehicle for IT and professional services for the NPS.

A contract vehicle for IT research and development for NSF.

A 13-digit code identifying standardized material items of supply used by the U.S. government.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the NTSB.

A U.S. Navy organization that provides integrated warfare systems across all domains to enable combat air forces to effectively prepare for and conduct combat operations.

The successor to the SeaPort-e contract vehicle.

A document that authorizes the initiation of negotiations with a contractor for a specific contractual action.

An Air Force contract vehicle for IT products, services, and solutions.

An e-procurement system for New Jersey state agencies.

A preferred source program for New York state agencies.

The central procurement agency for New York state.

A Navy contract vehicle for IT services.

A federal acquisition program for IT products, services, and solutions.

A legal contract that protects confidential information from being disclosed to others.

The standard used by federal agencies for classifying businesses.

A contractual term that sets a maximum limit on the amount that can be charged for a project or service.

A formal notification of the acceptance of a bid.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the NRC.

The business division of the Executive Office of the President of the United States that administers the federal budget and oversees the performance of federal agencies.

An independent agency that manages the civil service of the federal government.

The principal staff element of the Secretary of Defense in the exercise of policy development, planning, resource management, fiscal and program evaluation responsibilities.

An agency responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy.

A family of multi-award, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contracts for professional services.

An IDIQ contract vehicle for professional services from small businesses.

A system that supports the daily operations of a business or organization.

The field test, under realistic operational conditions, of any item of weapon, equipment, or munition to determine its operational effectiveness and suitability for use in combat.

The activities required to keep a system operational after it has been fielded or deployed.

A process that identifies critical information to determine if friendly actions can be observed by enemy intelligence, determines if information obtained by adversaries could be interpreted to be useful to them, and then executes selected measures that eliminate or reduce adversary exploitation of friendly critical information.

A situation in which a contractor's objectivity or judgment in performing a contract may be impaired.

A framework for assessing an organization's proposal processes and capabilities.

A company that manufactures products or components that are purchased by another company and retailed under that purchasing company's brand name.

A cost that can be directly attributed to a specific project or task but is not considered labor or material.

Any government agency other than the agency directly involved in the acquisition process.

A legally binding agreement that is not a procurement contract, grant, or cooperative agreement.

The authority to enter into transactions other than contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements for prototype projects.

A credit card used by government employees for small purchases.

A technology purchasing program for schools.

A report that evaluates a contractor's performance against the requirements of a contract or task order.

A simulation environment used for testing and evaluating system performance.

The time-phased budget plan for accomplishing all the work required to complete a program or project.

A group that assesses the risks associated with the performance of a system or product.

A statement of work that describes the required results in clear, specific, and objective terms with measurable outcomes.

A statement of requirements focused on outcomes rather than prescriptive methods.

An acquisition strategy that describes the requirements in terms of results rather than methods of performance.

A monetary incentive provided to a contractor for achieving specific performance objectives or standards.

A standardized process for identity proofing and issuing secure and reliable forms of identification to federal employees and contractors.

A strategic approach to managing government programs and activities by focusing on the end results desired rather than on the inputs or processes used to achieve those results.

A document that identifies tasks needing to be accomplished to assist agencies in identifying, assessing, prioritizing, and monitoring the progress of corrective efforts for security weaknesses found in programs and systems.

A document that outlines the tasks required to mitigate or resolve identified weaknesses or deficiencies.

A cyclic process used by the Department of Defense to allocate resources.

The individual designated as the primary contact for a specific matter or issue.

A multi-disciplinary review to ensure that the preliminary design meets all requirements with acceptable risk, within the constraints, and established methods have been properly accomplished before detailed design effort is initiated.

The agency responsible for managing the acquisition of a specific system or product.

The time between the initiation of the procurement action and the award of the contract.

The authority to enter into and administer contracts and make related determinations and findings.

An agreement for procurement services.

The contracting officer who is assigned responsibility for the award and administration of a contract.

A program aimed at improving the performance, reliability, or maintainability of an existing product.

A code used to describe products, services, and research purchased by the government.

A code used to describe the products, services, and research and development items purchased by the federal government.

A GSA contract vehicle for professional services.

The individual responsible for managing and overseeing all aspects of a specific program or project.

A methodology for analyzing and evaluating alternative program concepts in terms of their performance, effectiveness, and costs.

A military or civilian official who supervises and directs several major defense acquisition programs.

An advisor who provides expert guidance and support to program managers.

The individual responsible for managing the execution of a specific program or project.

A document summarizing the proposed resource allocation and programmatic decisions of a defense organization.

An acquisition program that has been formally approved and funded.

An organization responsible for managing the planning and execution of projects.

A guide containing standards and best practices for project management published by PMI.

A not-for-profit professional organization for project managers.

A certification offered by PMI for experienced project managers.

The person responsible for managing the proposal production process.

The processes for ensuring proposals meet quality standards.

A set of roles, policies, hardware, software, and procedures needed to create, manage, distribute, use, store, and revoke digital certificates and manage public-key encryption.

A cooperative arrangement between one or more public and private sectors, typically of a long-term nature.

A commercial document issued by a buyer to a seller indicating types, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services.

A cooperative purchasing program for California schools.

A list of products that have been tested and approved for use in a specific application or under specific conditions.

A list of vendors that have been evaluated and approved to supply a specific product or service.

A document used to ensure systematic quality assurance methods are used in the administration of a performance-based service contract.

A document outlining the procedures and processes used to ensure that a product or service meets specified quality standards.

A list of sensitive information that needs to be redacted from a proposal.

A solicitation for applications, typically used in the context of grants.

A preliminary step to gather information from potential suppliers.

A solicitation for proposals from companies interested in providing goods or services to the government.

A solicitation used when the government knows exactly what it needs and is only looking for price quotes.

The investigative activities a business conducts to improve existing products and procedures or to lead to the development of new products and procedures.

An Army contract vehicle for knowledge-based professional services.

A structured approach used to oversee and manage risk for an enterprise.

A plan that outlines the strategies and procedures for identifying, analyzing, and mitigating risks in a program or project.

A rough estimate of the expected cost or effort required for a project or task.

Directives that define the circumstances, conditions, and manner in which forces will initiate and/or continue combat engagement with other forces encountered.

A term used to group these academic disciplines together, often in the context of education and workforce development.

A Navy contract vehicle for engineering, technical, and programmatic support services.

An independent agency responsible for protecting investors, maintaining fair and orderly functioning of the securities markets, and facilitating capital formation.

A contract vehicle for collaboration services for the SEC.

A plan that outlines the security controls and measures to be implemented for a specific system or environment.

Configuration standards for securing information systems/software that might otherwise be vulnerable to a malicious computer attack.

A comprehensive annual report for programs that meet certain cost and interest criteria, providing status and projections for cost, schedule, and performance.

A secure room or data center that guards against electronic surveillance and suppresses data leakage of sensitive information.

Systems that handle sensitive information requiring special protection.

The civilian official responsible for all acquisition matters within a particular military service.

A contract between a service provider and a customer that specifies the level of service expected during its term.

A small business that is at least 51% owned and controlled by one or more service-disabled veterans.

Procedures that simplify the procurement process for acquiring goods and services.

An independent agency that provides support to entrepreneurs and small businesses.

A contract vehicle for professional services for the SBA.

A classification for businesses that meet certain size standards.

A program that encourages domestic small businesses to engage in federal research/research and development (R/R&D) with the potential for commercialization.

A program that expands funding opportunities in the federal innovation research and development arena.

An independent agency that administers Social Security, a social insurance program consisting of retirement, disability, and survivor benefits.

A government-wide acquisition contract for IT products and services.

A measure of the size of a software program, used for estimating development effort and cost.

A group that advises the Source Selection Authority on the evaluation and selection of contractors.

The official designated to direct the source selection process.

A team responsible for evaluating proposals and making recommendations to the Source Selection Authority.

A market research tool used to determine if there are two or more capable small businesses that can perform the requirements of a planned contract.

A product center of the United States Air Force Space Command, responsible for developing, acquiring, and sustaining military space systems.

A code used to identify products and services in the GSA Schedule program.

An older system used to classify industries, largely replaced by NAICS.

A system for classifying industries by a four-digit code.

A set of step-by-step instructions compiled by an organization to help workers carry out routine operations.

A multiple award, IDIQ contract vehicle that provides federal agencies with customized IT services and IT services-based solutions from 8(a) firms.

A term referring to state, local, and educational government entities.

A document that outlines the overall objectives and desired results for a procurement, rather than specific requirements or methods.

A document describing the work requirements for a contract.

An organization within the United States Navy responsible for the maintenance and support of strategic weapon systems.

An individual with deep knowledge of a particular topic or proposal area.

The official U.S. government system that consolidates various federal procurement systems.

The organization responsible for the management and execution of a specific system or program.

A multi-disciplinary review to ensure that the system requirements are complete, consistent, and properly defined.

A document that provides an overview of the security requirements of a system and describes the controls in place or planned for meeting those requirements.

A multi-disciplinary review to evaluate the completeness of the test program and to determine whether the test results adequately demonstrate that the system meets its requirements.

An agreement that defines the responsibilities and obligations of the parties involved in a systems acquisition.

A plan that outlines the processes and practices to be followed in the systems engineering activities for a program or project.

A term used to refer to aircraft and operations related to tactical air combat missions.

An order for services placed against an established contract.

Advice, instruction, or training provided to support the implementation or operation of a system, product, or process.

A set of drawings or other data that provides all of the technical information necessary to produce an item.

A review conducted to facilitate communication and coordination among stakeholders on technical issues or matters.

Services provided by the government to assist contractors in areas such as program management, systems engineering, and technical support.

A type of task order used in technology development and other technical projects.

An evaluation of the maturity and risk associated with critical technologies involved in a program or system.

A measure used to assess the maturity of evolving technologies, ranging from basic principles observed to systems proven through successful operations.

A document that outlines the purpose, scope, and objectives of a project, study, or assignment.

A cooperative purchasing program for Texas state agencies.

A national cooperative purchasing program.

A contract type that provides for payment of direct labor hours at specified fixed hourly rates and materials at cost.

A management approach where a single contractor is responsible for the overall integration and performance of a system.

A Department of Veterans Affairs contract vehicle for IT services.

The successor to the T4 contract vehicle.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the Department of the Treasury.

A program that ensures the integrity and security of the defense supply chain by establishing trusted sources for critical materials and components.

An independent agency responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.

A contract vehicle for network-centric IT solutions for the USAF.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions from small businesses.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for the USCG.

A cabinet department responsible for developing and executing federal laws related to farming, forestry, rural economic development, and food.

A contract vehicle for administrative services for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service.

A contract vehicle for intra-governmental support services for the USMC.

A contract vehicle for IT and communication services for the USN.

A contract vehicle for software development and related services for the USPTO.

A contract vehicle for IT products and services for the USPS.

A contract vehicle for IT and information support services for the U.S. Secret Service.

Any contract action for which the terms, specifications, or price are not agreed upon before performance is begun.

A contract action initiated by one party without the consent of the other.

A unique number assigned to all entities (public and private companies, individuals, institutions, and organizations) doing business with the federal government.

A global classification system for products and services.

An independent agency that is responsible for administering civilian foreign aid and development assistance.

A branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and an agency under DHS responsible for maritime safety, security, and environmental protection.

The codified general and permanent laws of the United States.

A list of defense-related articles, services, and technologies that are subject to export control regulations.

An independent agency responsible for providing postal service in the United States.

Provides certification programs for public procurement officials.

Obligations incurred but not yet paid.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions for USAID.

The portion of labor costs that represents the direct effort expended on a specific product or service.

A systematic process of reviewing and analyzing a program, product, or service to identify opportunities for improving performance, quality, or life-cycle cost.

A small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more veterans.

A contract vehicle for community engagement services for the VHA.

A contract vehicle for IT services and solutions from SDVOSBs.

A multiple-award IDIQ contract that provides federal agencies with a streamlined and cost-effective means of purchasing IT services and solutions from Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs).

The successor to the VETS contract vehicle.

A lead state procurement model run by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

A cooperative program between labor, management, and government to encourage the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses.

A determination of the prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits for a specific locality, issued by the Department of Labor.

Nuclear, biological, or chemical weapons capable of causing widespread death and destruction.

A cooperative purchasing program for western states.

A secure web-based system for electronic invoicing, receipt, and acceptance used by the Department of Defense.

A small business that is at least 51% owned by one or more women.

A hierarchical decomposition of the work to be executed.

A deliverable or task at the lowest level of the work breakdown structure.

A measure of the effort required to complete a specific task or project, expressed in terms of the equivalent number of full-time employees required for one year.

The period starting from the beginning of the current year to the current date.

A budgeting approach where each program or activity must be justified from the ground up, rather than using the previous year's budget as a starting point.