Milestone Decision Authority (MDA)
DoDI 5000.02
Introduction
Procedures
Acquisition Process Decision Points and Phases
Content References
Enclosures:
1: ACATs and Compliance Requirements
2: Program Management
3: Systems Engineering
4: Developmental Test and Evaluation
5: Operational and Live Fire Test and Evaluation
6: Life-Cycle Sustainment
7: Human Systems Integration (HSI)
8: Affordability Analysis and Investment Constraints
9: Analysis of Alternatives (AOA)
10: Cost Estimating and Reporting
11: Requirements Applicable to All Programs Containing IT
13: Urgent Capability Acquisition
14: Cybersecurity in the Defense Acquisition System
The Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) is the designated individual with overall responsibility for a program. The MDA shall have the authority to approve entry of an acquisition program into the next phase of the acquisition process and shall be accountable for cost, schedule, and performance reporting to higher authority, including Congressional reporting. (Source: DoDD 5000.01)
| MDA Level | Likely Organization | ACAT Level |
| Defense Acquisition Executive (DAE) | USD/AT&L | ACAT ID and IAM |
| Component Acquisition Executive (CAE) or Service Acquisition Executive (SAE) | ASA(ALT), ASN RDA, SAF/AQ or CAE of Defense Agency* | ACAT IC, IAC, and II |
| Designated by CAE | Program Executive Officers (PEOs) | ACAT III or IV (Navy) |
While head of DoD Component is default MDA for ACAT IC, IAC programs, they are usually delegated to CAE. See Table 1 in DoDI 5000.02 for further details.