14 U.S.C. § 1131: Identification of major system acquisitions

The Commandant shall develop and implement mechanisms to support the establishment of mature and stable operational requirements for all acquisitions. identifies the specific capability gaps to be addressed by the project or program; and develops a clear mission need to be addressed by the project or program; and prepares a preliminary affordability assessment for the project or program. The mechanisms required by subsection (a) shall ensure the implementation of a formal process for the development of a mission-needs statement, concept-of-operations document, capability development plan, and resource proposal for the initial project or program funding, and shall ensure the project or program is included in the Coast Guard Capital Investment Plan. In conducting an affordability assessment under subsection (a)(2)(B), the Commandant shall develop and implement mechanisms to ensure that trade-offs among cost, schedule, and performance are considered in the establishment of preliminary operational requirements for development and production of new assets and capabilities for Level 1 and Level 2 acquisitions projects and programs. The Commandant shall develop staffing predictions, define human capital performance initiatives, and identify preliminary training needs required to implement each Level 1 and Level 2 acquisition project and program.