3. Applicability

        a. This instruction implements the policies and procedures for developing, evaluating and providing interoperability and supportability certification in support of the JCIDS, which replaces the Requirements Generation System for ACAT, non-ACAT and fielded capabilities. This instruction applies to Services, combatant commands, Joint Staff, Defense agencies, and joint and combined activities. This instruction also applies to other agencies preparing and submitting JCIDS documents in accordance with references d and e.

        b. This instruction is applicable to all IT and NSS (systems or services) acquired, procured or operated by any component of the Department of Defense, to include:

        (1) All ACAT programs, non-ACAT activities and procurements, and fielded systems. ACAT programs include all DOD 5000-Series IT and NSS acquisition systems. Non-ACAT activities and procurements include all defense technology IT and NSS projects, IT and NSS preacquisition demonstrations (e.g., Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations (ACTD), Advanced Technology Demonstrations (ATD), and Joint Warrior Interoperability Demonstrations (JWID) when selected for acquisition or procurement), joint experimentations, Joint Tests and Evaluations (JTE); non-DOD 5000 Series IT and NSS acquisitions or procurements (e.g., the Combatant Commander Command and Control Initiative Program (C2IP), Combatant Commander Initiatives Fund (CCIF), Combatant Commander Field Assessments, military exploitation of reconnaissance and technology programs, and tactical exploitation of national capabilities programs). Fielded systems are post-acquisition IT and NSS operational systems.

        (2) All inter- and intra-component IT and NSS that exchange and use information to enable units or forces to operate effectively in joint, combined, coalition, and interagency operations and simulations.

        (3) All IT and NSS acquired, procured, or operated by DOD intelligence agencies, DOD component intelligence elements, and other DOD intelligence activities engaged in direct support of DOD missions. This instruction recognizes that special measures may be required for protection and/or handling of foreign intelligence or counterintelligence information, or other need to know information. Accordingly, implementation of this instruction must be tailored to comply with separate and coordinated Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) directives and intelligence community policies.

        (4) All DOD IT and NSS external information exchange interfaces with other US government departments and agencies, combined and coalition partners, and multinational alliances (e.g., North Atlantic Treaty Organization).

        c. The overall objective of this policy decision is to develop, acquire, and deploy IT and NSS that (1) meet the essential operational needs of US forces; (2) are interoperable with existing and proposed IT and NSS; (3) are supportable over the existing and planned global information grid; and (4) are interoperable with allies and coalition partners.

        d. This instruction applies to any organization that supports the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) in its role to advise the Chairman of joint interoperability between existing and future IT and NSS.

        e. All classified programs will comply with this instruction, but processes will be tailored to account for special security considerations.

        f. This instruction does not preclude the need to refer to basic guidance and direction on defense acquisition and interoperability (references a through e and g).