Acquisition Business Rolls Out CCAR Proof of Concept

Quality control over acquisition financial management involves requirements that are validated, developed and delivered as well as meet a specific need within a program manager’s (PM) mission. For over 10 years, the U.S. Air Force has used the Comprehensive Cost and Requirements (CCaR) system, a government off-the-shelf system, to document program and financial requirements and track the execution of appropriated funds. Recently, Defense Communications and Army Transmission Systems (DCATS) and Acquisition Business (AcqBusiness) began collaborating on implementing the CCaR system as a proof-of-concept (PoC) to assess the benefits and impacts of using CCaR as a standardized program management and reporting tool within PEO EIS.

In CCaR, identified requirements include the duration, cost, basis of estimate, period of performance, funding type, funding amount and financial execution status of each item or service. It also includes capabilities that support contract management, program management and executive reporting. “There are many possible benefits for adopting CCaR,” said Ms. Kelly Waymire, business management director, DCATS. “One of the key PoC success criteria is to reduce the time and effort needed to support the DCATS quarterly performance review.”

DCATS anticipates that CCaR will provide the program management office with key information for use in activities associated with the annual budget cycle, such as the program objective memorandum and budget cut drills. Other efficiencies may include reducing the time and effort for creation, review and approval of spend plans and service contract approval request.

For more information on CCaR, visit www.webccar.com/.