Due to growing complexity of systems, acquisition/procurement programs tend to grow in complexity, required effort, costs and time. It has been recognized that the way to save money and improve operational effectiveness is to shorten the time from the decision to procure products and services to the time they enter service. Simulation Based Acquisition (SBA) promises a better grip on the complexity and a reduction of procurement and development efforts, cost and time by the application of simulation. However, currently a structured approach in the application of Modeling and Simulation for Acquisition is not commonly applied and efficient tooling to support this approach has not been well identified.
From November 2005 until November 2007, 7 European countries joined in an initiative, to investigate a structured approach to SBA, to develop a Common Technical Framework (CTF) supporting this approach and to study the value of SBA
The paper starts with an introduction on current aspects and requirements on acquisition projects as experienced by the acquisition departments. The results of the initiative are presented, which provide insights into the defined approach for SBA, as laid down in the SBA process. The CTF, developed by the consortium and which supports the SBA process, is presented as the means to efficiently apply Modeling and Simulation during acquisition. The evaluation of the CTF by a realistic case on the upgrade of a Main Battle Tank is addressed and special attention is given on the identified value of SBA, taken existing approaches (US-SMART/UK-SMART) into account.
The paper concludes with findings on the use of the process and the CTF and with the way ahead on how to incorporate the SBA process and Common Technical Framework within the acquisition departments of the Ministry of Defense.