GovBidLab GovBidLab

Government Contracting
Glossary & Terminology

Your go-to reference for federal procurement acronyms, contract types, and acquisition terminology. Understand the language of government contracting.

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1 terms
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8(a) Firm
A small business certified under the SBA's 8(a) Business Development Program to assist socially and economically disadvantaged entrepreneurs.
A
60 terms
A
AAC
Activity Address Code; a unique six-position alpha-numeric code used by GSA and DoD to identify specific agency offices.
A
AAFES
Army and Air Force Exchange Service; provides merchandise to personnel.
A
AAP
Abbreviated Acquisition Program; a streamlined acquisition process for smaller or less complex programs.
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A&AS
Advisory and Assistance Services; support provided by nongovernmental sources to improve policy development or management processes.
A
Abort
Directive/informative call to cease action/attack/event/mission.
A
ABU
Airman Battle Uniform; (Obsolete) replaced by the OCP uniform.
A
ACAT
Acquisition Category; a designation that determines the level of oversight for a program based on its dollar value and complexity.
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Acceptance
The act of an authorized government representative assuming ownership of supplies or approving services rendered.
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Accountability
The obligation imposed by law or regulation for keeping an accurate record of property, documents, or funds.
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ACO
Administrative Contracting Officer; a contracting officer whose primary responsibility is the administration of existing contracts.
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Acquisition
The process of acquiring supplies or services by contract with appropriated funds, from requirement description to contract award.
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Acquisition Planning
The integrated process of coordinating personnel to fulfill an agency need timely and at a reasonable cost.
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Action
Directive to initiate a briefed attack sequence or maneuver.
A
Active
An emitter is radiating (Electronic Intelligence derived).
A
Activity
A functional unit within an agency that performs a specific mission or set of tasks.
A
Actual Cost
The total amount paid for an asset or service, often used in Earned Value Management (EVM) contexts.
A
ACU
Army Combat Uniform; standard daily work uniform for the Army.
A
Add
Directive call to add a specific system or EOB category to search responsibility.
A
Adequate Evidence
Information sufficient to support a reasonable belief that a particular act or omission has occurred.
A
ADM
Acquisition Decision Memorandum; a document recording the decisions made by a Milestone Decision Authority.
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ADSO
Active Duty Service Obligation; the time a member must remain in service.
A
Advance Agreement
An agreement on the treatment of special or unusual costs before they are incurred to avoid future disputes.
A
Advance Notice
A notification to the public of a planned procurement to encourage competition.
A
Affiliates
Business concerns or individuals where one controls or has the power to control the other.
A
Affirm
Friendly surface-to-air weapons platform is prepared to engage a specified target.
A
Agency Head
The chief official of an executive agency, such as a Secretary, Attorney General, or Administrator.
A
AHLTA
Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application; medical record system.
A
AIT
Advanced Individual Training; specialty training after basic training.
A
Alarm
Directive/informative call indicating the termination of EMCON procedures.
A
Alligator
Link-11/tactical digital information link Alpha.
A
Alpha Check
Request for/confirmation of bearing and range to described point.
A
Alternate
A variation of a standard contract clause used in specific circumstances to add or delete wording.
A
Anchor
Orbit about a specific point; or refueling track flown by a tanker.
A
Angels
Altitude in thousands of feet (e.g., Angels Five is 5,000 ft).
A
Anyface
Friendly command and control agency when the call sign is unknown.
A
AOA
Analysis of Alternatives; an evaluation of the performance, operational effectiveness, and cost of different systems to meet a mission need.
A
APB
Acquisition Program Baseline; a document establishing program goals for cost, schedule, and performance.
A
APP
Aviation Plans & Policy; the headquarters-level office responsible for aviation-related acquisition strategies.
A
Appropriated Funds
Funds authorized by an act of Congress which permit federal agencies to incur obligations and make payments.
A
Architect-Engineer Services
Professional services of an architectural or engineering nature required by state law to be performed by a licensed professional.
A
Arizona
No anti-radiation missile (ARM) ordnance remaining.
A
Arm
Contacts within a single group that maneuver outside of established group criteria.
A
ARO
After Receipt of Order; a term used to clarify delivery and payment timelines based on the vendor's receipt of the purchase order.
A
ASA (ALT)
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology; the senior procurement executive for the Army.
A
ASA (FM&C)
Assistant Secretary of the Army for Financial Management; responsible for the Army's budget and comptroller functions.
A
A School
Advanced training school in the Navy and Coast Guard.
A
As Fragged
Unit or element will be performing exactly as stated by the Air Tasking Order.
A
Asleep
Land or surface emitter activity is no longer detected via communications intelligence.
A
ASN (RD&A)
Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisitions; the senior procurement executive for the Navy.
A
ASRP
Acquisition Strategy Review Panel; an oversight group that analyzes and approves a proposed contracting approach.
A
Assignment of Claims
The transfer by a contractor of its right to be paid by the government to a financial institution as security for a loan.
A
Assisted Acquisition
An interagency acquisition where a servicing agency performs acquisition activities on behalf of a requesting agency.
A
ASVAB
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery; the standard entrance exam.
A
Attack
Informative call that aircraft are committed to air-to-surface delivery on a specific target.
A
Authenticate
To request or provide a response for a coded challenge.
A
Autocat
Any communications relay using automatic retransmissions.
A
Avalanche
Informative call indicating friendly forces require reinforcement in a location.
A
Awake
Land or surface emitter activity is detected via communications intelligence.
A
Away
Release or launch of a specified weapon (e.g., 'BIRDS AWAY').
A
Azimuth
Two or more groups primarily separated in bearing.
B
78 terms
B
BAA
Broad Agency Announcement; a general announcement of an agency's research interest to solicit proposals from capable offerors.
B
Backlog
The remaining amount of current funding or total potential value on a contract that has not yet been expended.
B
Bad Faith
Acting with malice or intent to harm the other party in a contract, which can lead to legal disputes.
B
Bad Map
Informative call that the displayed map is unusable due to terrain or image quality.
B
BAFO
Best and Final Offer; the final revised proposal submitted by a contractor after negotiations in a competitive procurement.
B
BAH
Basic Allowance for Housing; compensation for housing costs.
B
Bandit
An aircraft identified as enemy in accordance with theater ID criteria.
B
Banzai
Directive to execute launch and defend tactics.
B
BAS
Basic Allowance for Subsistence; compensation for food costs.
B
Base
Reference number used to indicate such information as headings or fuel.
B
Basic Research
Scientific research directed toward increasing knowledge rather than a specific practical application.
B
BATNA
Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement; the most advantageous course of action a party can take if negotiations fail.
B
Bat(s)
Friendly net-enabled glide weapon(s) with multi-mode seekers.
B
Bay
Carry out deception plan indicated or in accordance with orders.
B
BCA
Board of Contract Appeals; an independent tribunal that hears and decides disputes between contractors and the government.
B
BCG
Basic Cadet Glasses; (Slang) unattractive glasses issued to trainees.
B
BCT
Basic Combat Training; the nine-week introductory phase of Army life.
B
BDU
Battle Dress Uniform; (Obsolete) previous generation camo uniform.
B
Bead Window
Alert that last transmission potentially disclosed unauthorized information.
B
Beam
Contact stabilized within 60-109 degrees aspect.
B
Beam Rider
Potential jammer along the stated azimuth.
B
Benchmarking
A management process of comparing performance metrics to identify gaps and areas for improvement.
B
Benchmark Testing
Tests conducted on hardware or software to determine if they meet specific performance requirements.
B
Bent
System indicated is inoperative (Cancelled by SWEET).
B
Beretta
Aircraft is out of air-to-ground ordnance, excluding the gun.
B
Best Value
The outcome of an acquisition that provides the greatest overall benefit in response to the requirement, considering cost and non-cost factors.
B
Bid Bond
A surety bond ensuring that a bidder will enter into a contract if their bid is accepted.
B
Bid Sample
A product sample required from an offeror to demonstrate characteristics that cannot be described by text.
B
Big Stick
Friendly long-range surface-to-air missile platform.
B
Billing Rate
An indirect cost rate established temporarily for interim reimbursement of incurred costs.
B
Bingo
Prebriefed fuel state needed for recovery to base.
B
Biobased Product
A product composed of biological or renewable agricultural materials as determined by the USDA.
B
Birddog
Configure sensors according to mission planning or briefing.
B
Bird(s)
Friendly surface-to-air missiles.
B
Bittersweet
Notification of potential for blue-on-blue (friendly fire) situation.
B
Blackout
Directive to turn off all external lighting.
B
Blank
Signal is on the air with zero content.
B
Blanket Purchase Agreement
A simplified procurement method for repetitive needs for supplies or services, often associated with GSA schedules.
B
Blind
No visual contact with friendly aircraft/ship; opposite of VISUAL.
B
Block
Defensive tactic to force a vessel to alter course by maneuvering in front of it.
B
Blotter
Electromagnetic countermeasure receiver.
B
Blow Through
Continue straight ahead at the merge without becoming anchored.
B
BLS
Bureau of Labor Statistics; federal agency that provides economic data used in contract price adjustments.
B
Blur
Radar is being jammed.
B
BMT
Basic Military Training; the Air Force introductory training.
B
BOA
Basic Ordering Agreement; a written instrument of understanding containing terms and clauses for future orders.
B
Bogey
A radar or visual air contact whose identity is unknown.
B
Bogey Dope
Request for target information on a specific contact.
B
BOHICA
Bend Over, Here It Comes Again; (Slang) refers to a repetitive bad event.
B
Booster
Track identified as a separated booster phase of a ballistic missile.
B
BOP
Basic Contract Option Period; the initial period of a contract before options are exercised.
B
Box
Picture label with groups in a square or offset square formation.
B
BPO
Blanket Purchase Order; an arrangement to provide requirements for an item or service on an as-required basis.
B
BRAA
Target info format: Bearing, Range, Altitude, Aspect.
B
BRAC
Base Realignment and Closure; the process used by the DoD to increase operational efficiency by closing or consolidating bases.
B
Bracket
Maneuver to positions on opposite sides of the target.
B
Break
Directive to perform an immediate maximum performance turn.
B
Break Away
Tanker or receiver call for immediate vertical and nose-to-tail separation.
B
Bridge Contract
A non-competitive action to retain services as a result of a delay in awarding a follow-on contract.
B
Broad Agency Announcement
A general announcement of an agency's research interest, including selection criteria, to solicit participation from capable offerors.
B
Broken Spur
Helicopter buddy or self-extraction is not possible.
B
Browning
Surface-to-air missile platform has reached a low missile state.
B
Bruiser
Employment of friendly air-launched anti-ship missile.
B
Bucket
C2 is experiencing radar electromagnetic deceptive jamming.
B
Buddy Lock
Radar locked to a known friendly aircraft.
B
Buddy Spike
Friendly system radar lock-on indication on a friendly aircraft.
B
Bugout
Separation from an engagement with no intent to reengage.
B
Building or Work
Construction activity including structures like bridges, dams, highways, and tunnels, distinguished from manufacturing.
B
Bulldog
Friendly surface- or submarine-launched anti-ship missile.
B
Bullseye
Common reference point used to describe an object's position.
B
Bump
Directive to change power (plus or minus) from current setting.
B
Bundling
Combining two or more requirements previously performed under separate smaller contracts into a single solicitation.
B
Business Case Analysis
An evaluation of the financial and non-financial impacts of a proposed investment or acquisition strategy.
B
Buster
Directive to fly at maximum continuous speed.
B
Button
Radio channel setting.
B
Buzzer
Electromagnetic communications jamming.
B
Buzzsaw
Chemical light-stick swung overhead to mark a friendly position.
B
BX
Base Exchange; the Air Force department store.
C
67 terms
C
CA
Construction Apprentice; an entry-level Navy engineering rank.
C
CAF
Contract Access Fee; a fee charged to agencies for using certain governmentwide acquisition contracts.
C
CAGE Code
Commercial and Government Entity code; a five-character ID number that identifies government contractors for payment and logistics.
C
CAMS
Core Automated Maintenance System; Air Force maintenance database.
C
Candygram
Informative call stating EW targeting info is available on a secure net.
C
Canyon
Directive to use electronic jamming on a specific frequency.
C
CAP
Contract Administration Plan; a document outlining how a specific contract will be managed and monitored.
C
Capabilities-Based Assessment
A process used to identify capability requirements and gaps in the joint force.
C
Capability Statement
A document summarizing a company's background, experience, and past performance for marketing to the government.
C
Captured
Aircrew has identified and is able to track a target with a sensor.
C
CARD
Cost Analysis Requirements Description; a document providing the basis for cost estimates for an acquisition program.
C
CAS
Cost Accounting Standards; rules designed to achieve uniformity in measuring and allocating costs to government contracts.
C
CASREP
Casualty Report; a report of equipment failure that limits mission capability.
C
Catalog
Directive call used to record the description and location of a target.
C
CAV
Contractor Assistance Visits; visits to ensure a contractor's systems and records comply with contract requirements.
C
CCA
Clinger-Cohen Act; legislation requiring agencies to manage IT investments through a rigorous process.
C
CCATT
Critical Care Air Transport Team; medical team on evacuation flights.
C
CDRL
Contract Data Requirements List; a list of authorized data requirements that are part of a contract (DD Form 1423).
C
Cease Activity
Directive to discontinue a stated activity (e.g., CEASE LASER).
C
Cease Fire
Directive to stop firing; missiles in flight continue to intercept.
C
CFR
Code of Federal Regulations; the codification of general and permanent rules published by federal agencies.
C
Chameleon
EW target identified as operating on a known frequency with parameter changes.
C
Champagne
Picture label with two groups in front and one behind.
C
Change-of-Name Agreement
A legal instrument recognizing a contractor's legal change of name without disturbing original contract rights.
C
Change Order
A written order by a contracting officer directing a contractor to make changes authorized by the contract's 'Changes' clause.
C
Charlie
Signal for an aircraft to land aboard a ship.
C
Chattermark
Directive to use briefed procedures to counter radio jamming.
C
CHCS
Composite Health Care System; a military medical database.
C
Cheapshot
Active missile data link terminated before the missile was active.
C
Check
Directive to turn a specified number of degrees.
C
Check Capture
Target appears to no longer be tracked by the sensor.
C
Check Data
Directive to reference a specific medium for message traffic.
C
Check Fire
Immediate pause of fires, requiring coordination before continuing.
C
Check Focus
Sensor image appears to be out of focus.
C
CHENG
Chief Engineer; the officer in charge of a ship's engines.
C
Cherubs
Altitude of friendly aircraft in hundreds of feet.
C
Chief Acquisition Officer
An executive-level official responsible for an agency's acquisition performance and programs.
C
Civilian Agency Acquisition Council
A council that manages the FAR on a joint basis with the DAR Council.
C
CIWS
Close-In Weapon System; rapid-fire defensive gun on ships.
C
Clearing
No longer detecting emitter activity on a specified frequency.
C
CLIN
Contract Line Item Number; a unique number used to identify a specific product or service in a contract for pricing and delivery.
C
CO
Contracting Officer; a person with the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts.
C
Cold
Contact aspect is more than 90 degrees from the nose; or a specified area is not a threat.
C
Commercial Product
A product that is sold or leased to the general public in the commercial marketplace.
C
Commit
Directive to intercept a specific group.
C
Consideration
Something of value, such as money or a promise, that is required to make a contract legally binding.
C
Consolidation
Combining requirements for supplies or services into a single solicitation.
C
Contingency Operation
A military operation designated by the Secretary of Defense in which members of the armed forces are or may become involved in hostilities.
C
Contract
A mutually binding legal relationship obligating the seller to furnish supplies or services and the buyer to pay for them.
C
Contract Award Letter
A letter identifying the successful bidder and setting forth the documents that comprise the awarded contract.
C
Contract Award Notification
An announcement to authorized users that a contract has been established.
C
Contract Clause
A specific provision or term included in a contract that dictates the conditions of performance and payment.
C
Contracting Office
An office that awards or executes a contract and performs post-award functions not assigned to a contract administration office.
C
CONUS
Continental United States; the 48 contiguous states plus D.C..
C
COP
Contract Ordering Period; the duration during which orders can be placed against a specific contract.
C
COR
Contracting Officer's Representative; an individual designated to perform specific technical or administrative functions on behalf of the CO.
C
Cost or Pricing Data
Factual information that prudent buyers and sellers would reasonably expect to affect price negotiations significantly.
C
COT
Commissioned Officer Training; a course for new medical officers.
C
COTR
Contracting Officer Technical Representative; an older term for the COR, still used in some agencies.
C
Cover
Establish a combat air patrol for the protection of a specific aircraft/area.
C
CP
Command Post; the tactical headquarters in the field.
C
CPAF
Cost-Plus-Award-Fee; a contract that reimburses costs and adds a fee based on the contractor's performance.
C
CPFF
Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee; a contract where the contractor is paid a fixed fee regardless of the actual cost.
C
CPIF
Cost-Plus-Incentive-Fee; a contract where the fee is adjusted based on a formula related to target costs.
C
CQ
Charge of Quarters; 24-hour duty for barracks security.
C
CUI
Controlled Unclassified Information; unclassified information that requires safeguarding or dissemination controls per law or policy.
C
Cyclops
Any unmanned aerial vehicle.
D
37 terms
D
DA
Department of the Army; executive department within the DoD.
D
DAB
Defense Acquisition Board; the senior advisory body for the DoD on acquisition matters.
D
DAE
Defense Acquisition Executive; the individual responsible for all acquisition matters in the DoD.
D
DAF
Department of the Air Force; executive department within the DoD.
D
DAPA
Drug and Alcohol Prevention and Awareness; a Navy program.
D
DAR Council
Defense Acquisition Regulations Council; responsible for developing recommendations for revisions to the FAR and DFARS.
D
DAS
Defense Acquisition System; the management process by which the DoD provides systems to the users.
D
Dash
Aircraft's position within a flight.
D
Data
Standby for Link-16/TADIL data.
D
DAWIA
Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act; law requiring standards for training and education of the acquisition workforce.
D
DCAA
Defense Contract Audit Agency; provides all contract audits and financial advisory services for the DoD.
D
DCMA
Defense Contract Management Agency; provides contract administration services for the DoD.
D
Deadstick
To land an aircraft without engine power.
D
Default
Failure by a party to comply with the requirements or timelines specified in a contract.
D
Delivery Order
An order for supplies placed against an established contract or with government sources.
D
De-louse
Directive to detect and identify unknown aircraft following a friendly flight.
D
DEP
Delayed Entry Program; enlisting but waiting for a ship date.
D
DFAC
Dining Facility; where meals are served to personnel.
D
DFARS
Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; the DoD-specific supplement to the FAR.
D
DHNDAA
Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act; legislation with significant impacts on acquisition policy.
D
DICAP
Department of Defense Information Assurance Certification and Accreditation Process.
D
Dirt
RWR indication of a surface-to-air missile radar in search mode.
D
DITY
Do-It-Yourself; a move where a member packs their own goods.
D
Diverting
Aircraft is changing its planned destination or mission.
D
DJS
Director, Joint Staff; the senior officer who manages the Joint Staff for the CJCS.
D
DLA
Defense Logistics Agency; provides global logistics support for the DoD.
D
DoD
Department of Defense; the umbrella agency for all services.
D
Doghouse
Shelter for ground-based radars.
D
Dolly
TADIL C communications.
D
DoN
Department of the Navy; includes the Navy and Marine Corps.
D
DONSA
Day of No Scheduled Activity; an Army-specific long weekend.
D
DOW
Department of War; (Obsolete) previous name for the DoD.
D
DPA
Delegation of Procurement Authority; an agreement allowing an agency to use another agency's contract vehicle.
D
Drop
To discontinue tracking or targeting of a specific group.
D
DSSR
Department of State Standardized Regulation; governing allowances for personnel serving abroad.
D
Duck
Visual search for high-altitude targets.
D
DUNS
Data Universal Numbering System; a nine-character identification number for business locations (being replaced by UEI).
E
12 terms
E
Eagle
Friendly air-to-air missile.
E
ECI
Employment Cost Index; a measure of the change in the cost of labor, used in price adjustments.
E
EDA
Excess Defense Articles; DoD-owned articles no longer needed that can be transferred to other agencies or foreign governments.
E
EER
Enlisted Evaluation Report; performance record for Army enlisted.
E
EFT
Electronic Funds Transfer; the primary method for the government to pay contractors.
E
EOD
Explosive Ordnance Disposal; the military bomb squad.
E
EPEAT
Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool; a standard for green electronics.
E
EPR
Enlisted Performance Report; performance record for AF enlisted.
E
ESG
Expeditionary Strike Group; a Navy/Marine task force for landings.
E
ETC
Estimate to Complete; the remaining work needed to complete an activity in hours or dollars.
E
EVM
Earned Value Management; a methodology to integrate scope, schedule, and resources for measuring project performance.
E
Eyeball
Fighter with primary visual identification responsibility.
F
33 terms
F
FAC
Federal Acquisition Circular; a publication used to issue new or revised FAR rules.
F
Faded
Radar contact is lost.
F
FAP
Family Advocacy Program; prevents domestic abuse in the military.
F
FAR
Federal Acquisition Regulation; the primary set of rules governing all federal executive agency acquisitions.
F
FAS
Federal Acquisition Service; the division of GSA responsible for managing procurement programs.
F
FBO
FedBizOpps; (Obsolete) the previous website for federal procurement opportunities, now SAM.gov.
F
Feet Dry
Transition of aircraft from sea to land.
F
Feet Wet
Transition of aircraft from land to sea.
F
FEX
Field Exercise; a training event conducted in the field.
F
FFP
Firm-Fixed-Price; a contract that provides for a price that is not subject to any adjustment based on the contractor's cost experience.
F
File 13
Slang for the trash can.
F
FIPS PUB
Federal Information Processing Standards Publication; standards for federal computer systems.
F
FISMA
Federal Information Security Management Act; requires federal agencies to develop a security program for their data.
F
FITREP
Fitness Report; performance record for Navy/Marine officers.
F
Fixed-Price Incentive
A contract providing for adjusting profit based on a formula comparing target cost to actual cost.
F
Flash
High-priority signal.
F
Flock
Large number of friendly aircraft in a formation.
F
FLSA
Fair Labor Standards Act; federal law governing minimum wage, overtime, and child labor.
F
FMB
Office of the Budget, Assistant Secretary of the Navy; responsible for Navy budget formulation.
F
FMF
Fleet Marine Force; Marine units assigned to Navy fleets.
F
FMS
Foreign Military Sales; a program through which the US government sells defense articles and services to foreign countries.
F
FOB
Forward Operating Base; a secured tactical position.
F
FOIA
Freedom of Information Act; a law that allows for the full or partial disclosure of previously unreleased information and documents controlled by the US government.
F
FOT&E
Follow-on Test and Evaluation; testing conducted after a system is in production to verify its effectiveness.
F
Fox One
Simulated or actual launch of semi-active radar-guided missile.
F
Fox Three
Simulated or actual launch of active radar-guided missile.
F
Fox Two
Simulated or actual launch of infrared-guided missile.
F
FPE
Fixed-Price Contract with Escalation; a fixed price that can be adjusted based on specified economic contingencies.
F
Friendly
A positively identified friendly contact.
F
FRP
Full Rate Production; the phase of an acquisition program where the system is produced at high volume after successful testing.
F
FRTP
Fleet Readiness Training Plan; the Navy's cycle for training and deploying its forces.
F
FTR
Federal Travel Regulations; rules governing travel and relocation for federal employees.
F
Furball
A turning fight involving multiple friendly and enemy aircraft.
G
17 terms
G
G&A
General and Administrative; an indirect cost pool that includes costs related to the overall operation of a business.
G
GAAP
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles; the standard network of accounting concepts used by the profession.
G
Gadget
Radar or emitter equipment.
G
Galley
The kitchen on a ship or submarine.
G
GAO
Government Accountability Office; the congressional agency that audits and investigates federal spending.
G
GI
Government Issue; slang for a service member.
G
Gimbal
Radar is at its physical limit in azimuth or elevation.
G
GIS
Geographic Information System; hardware and software used for capturing, managing, and analyzing geographical data.
G
GME
Graduate Medical Education; training for military doctors.
G
GMO
General Medical Officer; a doctor in a primary care role.
G
Gopher
A low-altitude target.
G
Government Purchase Card
A tool used by government employees to make small purchases, typically up to $3,000.
G
Grandslam
All enemy aircraft in a specified group are shot down.
G
Green
A specified frequency or area is clear of threats.
G
Greyhound
Friendly ground-attack missile.
G
GSA
General Services Administration; the agency responsible for managing federal property and providing procurement services.
G
GWAC
Governmentwide Acquisition Contract; a task or delivery order contract for IT established by one agency for use across the government.
H
17 terms
H
Handshake
Data link established between a ground station and an aircraft.
H
HCA
Head of Contracting Activity; the individual with overall responsibility for managing a contracting activity.
H
HCP
Health Care Provider; an individual employed as a healthcare professional at a military facility.
H
Head
The bathroom on a ship or Marine base.
H
Heads Up
Alert that an enemy aircraft has broken through a defensive screen.
H
HEMTT
Heavy Expanded Mobility Tactical Truck; a standard heavy Army truck.
H
HMMWV
High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle; the Humvee.
H
Home Plate
The aircraft's home base or carrier.
H
Hooah
Universal Army expression of enthusiasm or agreement.
H
Hooyah
Universal Navy SEAL expression of enthusiasm.
H
Hostile
A positively identified enemy contact with authority to engage.
H
Hot
Contact aspect is less than 90 degrees from the nose; or weapon is armed.
H
HPSP
Health Professions Scholarship Program; pays for medical school.
H
HQ
Headquarters; the command center of a unit.
H
HSPD
Homeland Security Presidential Directive; a directive issued by the President on matters of homeland security.
H
HUBZone
Historically Underutilized Business Zone; a program that helps small businesses in distressed areas gain access to federal contracts.
H
Husky
Active radar-guided missile at high pulse repetition frequency.
I
24 terms
I
IA
Information Assurance; protecting and defending information and information systems.
I
IaaS
Infrastructure as a Service; a form of cloud computing that provides virtualized computing resources over the internet.
I
IARB
Integrated Acquisition Review Board; an oversight group that conducts reviews at key decision points.
I
IDF
Indirect Fire; enemy mortars or artillery.
I
IDIQ
Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity; a contract providing for an indefinite quantity of services or supplies during a fixed period.
I
Idle
Aircraft engine at minimum power setting.
I
IED
Improvised Explosive Device; a homemade bomb.
I
IEEE
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; a professional association that sets technical standards.
I
IFB
Invitation for Bid; a procurement method used in sealed bidding to solicit firm-fixed-price offers.
I
IG
Inspector General; the official responsible for investigating waste, fraud, and abuse within an agency.
I
IMP
Integrated Master Plan; a top-level plan that provides the hierarchical event-based structure for an acquisition program.
I
IMS
Integrated Master Schedule; a networked, multi-layered schedule of all program activities.
I
In
Turning toward the target or threat.
I
Incurred Cost
A cost that has already been paid or for which a liability has been established.
I
Indirect Cost
A cost that is not directly identified with a single final cost objective, such as overhead or G&A.
I
Interagency Acquisition
A procedure by which an agency needing supplies or services obtains them through another agency's contract.
I
Intragovernmental Order
An order where a defense agency requests supplies from a non-defense federal agency.
I
Invoice
A contractor's bill or written request for payment for supplies delivered or services performed.
I
IOA
Industrial Operations Analyst; an official who evaluates industrial capabilities for the DoD.
I
IRR
Individual Ready Reserve; pool of former soldiers for recall.
I
Irrevocable Letter of Credit
A commitment by a financial institution to pay a stated amount that cannot be revoked by the offeror.
I
ITB
Infantry Training Battalion; Marine infantry specialty training.
I
ITS
Integrated Technology Service; a division of GSA that provides IT solutions.
I
ITSS
Information Technology Solutions Shop; a GSA-managed marketplace for IT services.
J
6 terms
J
JAG
Judge Advocate General; the legal corps of the military.
J
JCP Certification
Joint Certification Program; allows contractors access to unclassified technical data in the US and Canada.
J
JCS
Joint Chiefs of Staff; senior military advisors to the President.
J
JO
Junior Officer; an officer in the lower ranks.
J
Joint Venture
A legal entity or agreement between two or more firms to combine resources to perform on a contract.
J
JTF
Joint Task Force; a force made of multiple service branches.
L
8 terms
L
Labor Hour Contract
A contract type that provides for the procurement of services on the basis of direct labor hours at fixed hourly rates.
L
Labor Surplus Area
A geographical area identified by the Department of Labor as having concentrated unemployment.
L
Latent Defect
A defect that exists at the time of acceptance but cannot be discovered by reasonable inspection.
L
LES
Leave and Earnings Statement; the monthly pay stub.
L
LH
Labor Hour; a unit of measurement for the effort of one person for one hour.
L
Line Item
The basic structural element in a procurement instrument that organizes products or services for pricing and delivery.
L
Line Item Number
A numeric or alphanumeric format used to identify a specific line item in a contract.
L
Low Price Technically Acceptable
A source selection process where the award is made to the lowest priced proposal that meets technical requirements.
M
27 terms
M
Major Disaster
A catastrophe of sufficient severity to warrant Presidential disaster assistance.
M
Major System
A combination of elements that function together to produce capabilities required to fulfill a mission need.
M
MAP
Marketing Action Plan; a strategy used by businesses to win government contracts.
M
Market Research
The process used to collect and analyze data about capabilities in the commercial marketplace to satisfy agency needs.
M
MCMAP
Marine Corps Martial Arts Program; the combat system.
M
MCS
Minimum Contract Sales; the minimum amount a contractor must sell to maintain certain contract vehicles.
M
MCT
Marine Combat Training; training for non-infantry Marines.
M
MDCO
Military Department Counterintelligence Organization; responsible for counterintelligence activities within a service.
M
MDD
Materiel Development Decision; the formal entry point into the acquisition process.
M
MDEB
Missile Defense Executive Board; provides oversight of the nation's missile defense programs.
M
Mean Logistics Delay Time
Indicator of the average time a system is awaiting maintenance, including parts and tools.
M
Mean Maintenance Time
A measure of maintainability; the average time to perform maintenance actions.
M
Measure of Effectiveness
An indicator used to measure a current system state, compared over time.
M
Measure of Performance
An indicator used to measure a friendly action tied to task accomplishment.
M
Measure of Suitability
Measure of an item's ability to be supported in its intended operational environment.
M
MEDCOM
Army Medical Command; organization of healthcare personnel and facilities.
M
Medevac
Medical Evacuation; moving the wounded via air or ground.
M
Mentor-Protégé Program
A program designed to encourage large firms to provide developmental assistance to small business protégés.
M
MEPS
Military Entrance Processing Station; where recruits process.
M
Micro-Purchase
An acquisition of supplies or services using simplified procedures where the aggregate amount does not exceed a set threshold.
M
MOS
Military Occupational Specialty; a service member's job code.
M
MP
Military Police; the service branch responsible for law enforcement.
M
MPIN
Marketing Partner Identification Number; used in SAM for vendor authentication.
M
MRE
Meal, Ready-to-Eat; self-contained field ration.
M
MTBM
Mean Time Between Maintenance; average time between all maintenance actions.
M
MTTR
Mean Time to Repair; the total elapsed time for corrective maintenance divided by the number of actions.
M
MWR
Morale, Welfare, and Recreation; military lifestyle programs.
N
13 terms
N
NAE
Navy Acquisition Executive; the senior official responsible for Navy acquisition.
N
NAICS
North American Industry Classification System; a code used to classify business establishments by their economic activity.
N
NAMP
Naval Aviation Maintenance Procedure; the standard rules for maintaining Navy aircraft.
N
NAPS
Navy Acquisition Procedures Supplement; the Navy's addition to the FAR and DFARS.
N
NAR
Non-Advocate Review; an independent review of an acquisition program by individuals not associated with the program's management.
N
NAWC
Naval Air Warfare Center; provides technical support for naval aviation.
N
NCO
Non-Commissioned Officer; a sergeant or petty officer.
N
Negotiation
A bargaining process between the government and offerors to reach an agreement on price and terms.
N
NEO
Noncombatant Evacuation Operation; evacuating civilians.
N
NICAP
National Information Assurance Certifications and Accreditation Process.
N
NLW
Non-Lethal Weapons; weapons designed to incapacitate personnel with minimal permanent injury.
N
Non-Advocate Review
An independent review of an acquisition program by individuals not associated with the program's management.
N
Novation Agreement
A legal instrument executed by the contractor and the government to recognize a third party as the successor in interest.
O
13 terms
O
OCONUS
Outside Continental United States; (e.g., Hawaii, Alaska, Japan).
O
OCS
Officer Candidate School; a commissioning program.
O
OER
Officer Evaluation Report; Army officer performance record.
O
Offer
A response to a solicitation that, if accepted, would bind the offeror to perform the resulting contract.
O
OJT
On the Job Training; learning while performing duties.
O
O&M
Operations and Maintenance; the budget for the day-to-day running of military units and facilities.
O
OMB
Office of Management and Budget; the agency that assists the President in managing the federal budget.
O
OPFOR
Opposing Force; soldiers playing the enemy in training.
O
OPLAN
Operations Plan; a complete plan for joint operations.
O
OPNAV
Chief of Naval Operations Staff; the headquarters staff for the US Navy.
O
OPSEC
Operational Security; protecting info about military operations.
O
OTS
Officer Training School; Air Force commissioning program.
O
Overhead
Indirect costs that are necessary for the production of a product or service but not directly traceable to it.
P
28 terms
P
PaaS
Platform as a Service; cloud computing service providing a platform for software development.
P
Past Performance
An offeror's record of performance on prior government or commercial contracts used as an evaluation factor.
P
PCO
Procuring Contracting Officer; the individual responsible for the award of a contract.
P
PCS
Permanent Change of Station; relocating to a different base.
P
Performance-Based Contracting
An acquisition strategy that focuses on outcomes and results rather than processes.
P
Period of Performance
The duration of time during which the contractor is required to perform the work specified.
P
PERSCOM
Personnel Command; responsible for managing the personnel records of service members.
P
PERSEC
Personal Security; protecting one's personal information.
P
Personal Services Contract
A contract that makes the contractor personnel appear to be government employees.
P
PFT
Physical Fitness Test; the standard test of physical readiness.
P
PGC
Pricing Guideline Coefficients; used in certain contract types to determine price adjustments.
P
Place of Performance
The geographic area where the work is performed, which may differ from the headquarters.
P
PLF
Parachute Landing Fall; technique for landing after a jump.
P
PMCS
Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services; gear checks.
P
PME
Professional Military Education; continuous career schooling.
P
POC
Point of Contact; the person to talk to about a matter.
P
PPIRS
Past Performance Information Retrieval System; (Obsolete) replaced by CPARS for tracking contractor history.
P
PPM
Personally Procured Move; moving one's own goods.
P
Prime Contractor
The entity that has a direct contract with the government and is responsible for overall performance.
P
Privity of Contract
The legal relationship between two parties who have entered into a contract with each other.
P
Procurement
The entire process of acquiring goods, services, or works from an external source.
P
Procuring Organization
A DLA activity with contracting authority, including both activities and offices.
P
Program Manager
The individual responsible for the overall management of an acquisition program.
P
Project Management
The discipline of initiating, planning, executing, and controlling the work of a team to achieve specific goals.
P
Proposal
An offer submitted in response to a Request for Proposal (RFP).
P
Protest
A written objection by an interested party to a solicitation or award of a contract.
P
PT
Physical Training; mandatory military exercise.
P
PX
Post Exchange; the Army department store.
Q
2 terms
Q
Qualified Products List
A list of products that have been pre-tested and found to meet specific performance requirements.
Q
Quality Assurance
The various functions performed by the government to ensure a contractor's work meets contract requirements.
R
12 terms
R
RAMECS
Rapid Action Minor Engineering Changes; streamlined process for minor changes to naval systems.
R
Ratification
The signed, documented action by an official to approve an unauthorized commitment.
R
R&D
Research and Development; activities directed toward the innovation or improvement of products and processes.
R
RDC
Rapid Deployment Capability; acquisition process for urgently needed equipment.
R
Request for Information
A document used to gather information about capabilities in the marketplace before issuing a solicitation.
R
Request for Proposal
A solicitation used in negotiated acquisitions to communicate requirements and solicit proposals.
R
Request for Quotation
A solicitation used in simplified acquisitions to obtain price and delivery information.
R
Responsible Contractor
A contractor that has the financial, technical, and management resources to perform a contract.
R
Responsive Bidder
A bidder whose bid conforms in all material respects to the requirements of the solicitation.
R
ROE
Rules of Engagement; directives on when to use force.
R
ROTC
Reserve Officers' Training Corps; college-based commissioning.
R
RPA
Remotely Piloted Aircraft; commonly known as a drone.
S
31 terms
S
SaaS
Software as a Service; cloud computing service providing software over the internet.
S
SAM
System for Award Management; the primary database of vendors doing business with the federal government.
S
SAPR
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program.
S
SAT
Simplified Acquisition Threshold; the dollar limit below which agencies can use simplified procedures.
S
SBA
Small Business Administration; the agency that provides support to small businesses.
S
SCA
Service Contract Act; (now Service Contract Labor Standards) requires prevailing wages for federal service contracts.
S
Schedules
GSA's long-term contracts for commercial products and services available to all federal agencies.
S
SCIF
Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility; secure room.
S
Scope of Work
A detailed description of the work to be performed under a contract.
S
Sealed Bidding
A procurement method involving public opening of bids and award to the lowest bidder.
S
SECNAV
Secretary of the Navy; the senior civilian leader of the Navy.
S
SERE
Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape; high-risk training.
S
Service Contract
A contract that directly engages the time and effort of a contractor to perform an identifiable task.
S
Settlement Agreement
A written agreement in the form of a contract modification that settles a terminated contract.
S
Show Cause Notice
A notice to a contractor that the government is considering termination for default.
S
SIPR
Secret Internet Protocol Router; classified computer network.
S
Small Business Administration
The federal agency that supports small businesses and monitors federal contracting goals.
S
SME
Subject Matter Expert; person with deep technical knowledge.
S
SNAFU
Situation Normal, All Fouled Up; slang for chaos.
S
SOF
Special Operations Forces; elite units like SEALs or Raiders.
S
Sole Source
A contract for supplies or services that is entered into without full and open competition.
S
Solicitation
The document used by the government to request bids, proposals, or quotes.
S
SOP
Standard Operating Procedure; established routine methods.
S
SOS
Squadron Officer School; Air Force Captains' leadership school.
S
SOW
Statement of Work; a document describing the specific requirements for a project or contract.
S
Strategic Contract
Acquisitions representing high risk and impact to mission criticality and warfighter support.
S
Subcontract
A contract between a prime contractor and another firm to perform part of the work.
S
Subcontractor
Any supplier, distributor, or firm furnishing supplies or services to a prime contractor.
S
Supplemental Agreement
A contract modification that is accomplished by the mutual action of both parties.
S
Supplier Diversity
Offices within companies ensuring socio-economic class goals for suppliers are met.
S
Surety
An individual or corporation legally liable for the debt or failure of another to perform.
T
6 terms
T
TACP
Tactical Air Control Party; AF personnel who direct CAS.
T
TDY
Temporary Duty; short-term assignment away from base.
T
TFI
Total Force Integration; combining AF components.
T
TLS Contract
Tailored Logistics Support Contract; targets support to the point of the customer's need.
T
TRICARE
The military healthcare program for members/families.
T
TSP
Thrift Savings Plan; the military version of a 401(k).
U
5 terms
U
UCI
Unit Compliance Inspection; a review of unit procedures.
U
UCMJ
Uniform Code of Military Justice; the military's legal code.
U
UEI
Unit Effectiveness Inspection; a review of a unit's performance.
U
Unique Entity Identifier
A number or identifier used to identify a specific commercial, nonprofit, or Government entity.
U
UTA
Unit Training Assembly; the Reserve/Guard weekend drill.
V
1 terms
V
VA
Department of Veterans' Affairs; assists veterans after service.
X
1 terms
X
XO
Executive Officer; the second-in-command of a unit.

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