This coming change, likely to take effect in May 2012, applies to government contractual requirements (CDRLs) on contracts that require Earned Value Management (EVM) by most federal agencies. This is of particular importance to program and project managers, corporate EVM focal points and other staff that maintain a corporate EVM System Description or training materials. In some cases it applies to IT resources responsible for maintaining the schedule and cost toolsets used on projects.
A new Data Item Description (DID) for contract performance reporting and integrated master schedules was recently circulated for public comment. The new DID, Integrated Program Management Report (IPMR), DI-MGMT-81466B, will replace the current Contract Performance Report (CPR) DID, DI-MGMT-81466A, and the Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) DID, DI-MGMT-81650.
A copy of the draft IPMR DID can be found on the PARCA (Performance Assessments and Root Cause Analyses) website. PARCA is part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition. The Earned Value Management Division of PARCA is the DOD focal point for all policy, guidance, and competency relating to EVM.
In summary:
- The IPMR DID combines the CPR and IMS DIDs into one
- CPR Formats 1 to 5 become the IPMR Formats 1 to 5
- The IMS becomes IPMR Format 6
- There are a few content changes mostly confined to Format 3, which opens up the Baseline Changes (Block 6.b.) row columns
- It adds a new Format 7, time phased historical data (an annual submission)
- The electronic data delivery format is changing from the ANSI X12 standard to the UN/CEFACT XML standard
The initial comment period for the IPMR DID closed on January 31, 2012, followed with additional discussions with industry through the NDIA Program Management Systems Committee (PMSC). The likely publication date is early May 2012 but this is dependent on the final formal coordination process within OSD. The new DID will begin being applied on new contracts once the DID is approved.
The new DID does impact current EVM Systems as it will be necessary to reference the old and new terms and forms. As a result, it may be necessary to update:
- Training materials
- System Description and Storyboard text, example formats and/or artifacts
- Desktop instructions for producing specified formats
- Software toolset outputs and electronic deliverables
- Self-surveillance and subcontractor surveillance materials
Most cost and schedule software vendors are aware of the pending changes. You may want to check with your toolset vendor of choice to see when they plan to have software updates available to support the new DID requirements.
Humphreys & Associates is available to provide resources, consulting and information on this topic. Click here to contact us.