Milestone Decision Authority (MDA)

Definition

The MDA is the individual with formal authority to approve entry into, and transition between, the phases of the DoW acquisition lifecycle (Materiel Solution Analysis, Technology Maturation & Risk Reduction, Engineering & Manufacturing Development, Production & Deployment, Operations & Support). The MDA's seniority scales with ACAT level: the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition & Sustainment for ACAT ID, service acquisition executives for ACAT IC and II, and a PEO for ACAT III.

Why It Matters

Every major gate review, every schedule slip, every scope change ultimately goes through the MDA. Knowing who that is — and what they care about — shapes proposal framing.

Example

For the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program, the Air Force Service Acquisition Executive serves as the MDA at the service level.

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