This guide describes the Clinger-Cohen Act Confirmation and Certification processes¹, which are applicable to Mission Critical (MC) and Mission Essential (ME) Information Technology (IT) . These processes are required to be completed prior to a contract award or a milestone decision for MC/ME\IT. Confirmation is required for all MC/ME IT(except Major Automated Information Systems (MAIS)); Certification is required only for Major Automated Information Systems (MAIS) .

Law and policy require that we follow a process to ensure IT complies with the Clinger-Cohen Act (CCA). Confirmation of compliance with CCA has been defined by the Department of Defense as verifying compliance with eleven (11) key items.

To ensure that Confirmation or Certification process requirements do not impact program schedules, it is extremely important that program planning include adequate time to accomplish that process. Why? Milestone Approvals cannot occur nor can contract awards be made without confirmation of CCA compliance.

The key applicable legislation and policy are cited below. This guide is consistent with these references .

DoD Joint Memorandum, Clinger-Cohen Act Compliance Policy, 08 March 2002
DON Joint Memorandum, Clinger-Cohen Act Compliance Policy, 06 June 2002
DoD Joint Memorandum, Clinger-Cohen Act Compliance Policy for Major Automated Information Systems, 19 June 2002
Deputy Secretary of Defense, Defense Acquisition Interim Guidance of 30 Oct 02

This guide is intended for all Marine Corps participants in the CCA confirmation/certification1 process. This includes Project Officers (PO)/Project Team Leaders, Program Managers (PM), subject matter experts related to the 11 CCA items, and approval authorities. However, the guide is primarily targeted at the PO/PM who is responsible for managing an MC/ME IT program.

The process established by this guide identifies CCA coordinators, who are the CCA focal points at Marine Corps Systems Command (MARCORSYSCOM) and Headquarters, Marine Corps (HQMC). They facilitate the process and as such, are intimately familiar with it. The CCA Coordinators may be contacted for any questions regarding this guide or the process it describes. In addition, there is a list of Points of Contacts (POCs) at the back of this guide that will allow for help on specific topics.

CCA Coordinators:

MARCORSYSCOM - Patty Mitchell, mitchellpa@mcsc.usmc.mil , 703-784-0303

HQMC - Don Hom, homdd@hqmc.usmc.mil , 703-614-9469/9664/9792

This guide provides an overall process flow for the CCA confirmation/certification processes. It then breaks the process flow into four distinct lettered blocks (A-D) for the purpose of discussion. It lays out entrance criteria for commencing each block, provides a discussion of the critical events or products associated with each block, and walks the reader through the process details and provides exit criteria, which indicate completion of all block activities. In addition, within each block, "Special Considerations" are discussed. "Special Considerations"

This guide may be used in printed form, however, users are strongly encouraged to use the online version to take advantage of the many hyperlinks that will assist you in navigating through the CCA compliance process and associated guidance provided herein.

All of the process steps in the included CCA process flowchart (Figure 1) have active hyperlinks and "screen tips" (screen tips can be seen when the pointer is moved across an active link). Use the "back-arrow" to return to the prior page.

Icon indicates a template is available related to the information it is placed next to. Just click on it and it will take you to the appropriate template.

This guide will be updated as required. Users are encouraged to submit recommendations for improvements.

Address inquiries to:
Commanding General, Marine Corps
Systems Command, ATTN: Assistant Commander, Programs, 2033
Barnett Avenue, Quantico, VA 22134-5010.

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¹Use of the terms CCA Confirmation and CCA Certification are not meant to imply that the Confirmation or Certification requirements come from CCA. Confirmation and Certification are administrative processes imposed by Congress in other legislation and by OSD in regulation. are unique circumstances that one might encounter when navigating a particular block.