Concept Refinement: The DoD Acquistion Management Framework includes two distinct phases that comprise Pre-Systems Acquisition. These phases are Concept Refinement and Technology Development. Concept Refinement begins with a Concept Decision and ends with a Milestone A decision review which is the entrance point for Technology Development. Purpose: The purpose of the Concept Refinement Phase is to refine the initial concept described in the Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) and develop a Technology Development Strategy (TDS). This refinement will be conducted through an Analysis of Alternatives. Entrance Criteria: Following the approval of an ICD resulting from the analysis of potential concepts, a Concept Decision is made which starts the process to refine the recommended concept. At the Concept Decision, the MDA will: - Designate a lead DoD Component (to refine the initial concept) - Approve the Analysis of Alternatives plan (which will guide the assessment of critical technologies associated with the recommended concept(s)) - Establish a date for the Milestone A review Concept Refinement Activities: The AoA accomplished during this phase will be focused on a selected concept and the critical technologies associated with implementing a concept. Specifically, the AoA will focus on the: - Maturity of the technologies - Technical risk of these technologies - Tasks necessary to mature and demonstrate needed technologies The results of the AoA will be captured in a Technology Development Strategy (TDS) for approval at the Milestone A Decision Review. The TDS will include: 1. Rationale for adopting either an Evolutionary Acquisition Strategy or a Single-Step to full capability Strategy This will include the technology development(s) required to mature and demonstrate needed technologies and an preliminary description of increments. 2. Program strategy including overall cost, schedule, and performance goals for the total research and development program. 3. Specific cost, schedule and performance for the first technology demonstration as well as test plan to ensure that goals and exit criteria for this first technology demonstration are met. Exit Criteria: Concept refinement ends when the MDA approves the preferred solution resulting form the AoA and approves the associated TDS.