DoD 4120.24-M DSP POLICIES & PROCEDURES March 2000 OUSD (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics
AP7.  APPENDIX 7 GUIDE SPECIFICATIONS

AP7.1.  GENERAL

Guide specifications shall be developed following the general policies and procedures in Chapters 4 and 5 of this Manual.  Guide specifications may also be designated as specification guides, but for the purposes of the Manual, only the term guide specifications will be used.  Section Three of SD-15 (reference (k)) provides additional guidance on preparing guide specifications.  The requirements in this Appendix are those that are unique or have been tailored for guide specifications.

AP7.2.  PURPOSE

Guide specifications are standardization documents that provide templates of requirements and verification statements that are commonly used in defining types of systems, subsystems, assemblies, or equipment.  The specific values and criteria for each requirement must be individually determined and tailored to make the requirements relevant for a specific application.

Unlike defense specifications, which standardize on fixed form, fit, and function requirements for reprocurement of like items, guide specifications standardize primarily on functional or performance requirements that are used in the development of new systems, subsystems, equipments, and assemblies.  Guide specifications should not be used for reprocurement purposes, and generally, should not be used for components, parts, and materials.

AP7.3.  GUIDE SPECIFICATION DEVELOPMENT PROCESS

Guide specifications follow a similar document development process as discussed in Chapters 4 and 5 of this Manual for defense specifications. 

     AP7.3.1.  Standardization Project Assignment.  Guide specifications shall be assigned project numbers before draft development as specified in Chapter 4 of this Manual.  Most of the standardization project criteria in Appendix 10 apply to guide specifications, except the LSA must ensure that it shall be used for development and not for reprocurement purposes.

     AP7.3.2.  Drafting the Guide Specification.  The following applies for drafting guide specifications:

          AP7.3.2.1.  Format.  The general requirements in section 4 of MIL-STD-961 (reference (n)) should be used for the general format, although guide specifications for facilities construction should be based on the Construction Specification Institute's MP2.2 (reference (ee)).  The Preparing Activity shall establish the specific format for the content.  While not mandatory, a fill-in-the-blank format is frequently used, leaving specific values or requirements open for determination for each acquisition.  A nonmandatory appendix(es) is often a part of a guide specification to make users aware of past solutions that have worked or not worked.

            AP7.3.2.2.  Document Identifier.  The document identifier shall consist of two characters to designate organizational affiliation immediately followed by the letters "GS" (for Guide Specifications) or “SG” (for Specification Guide), a dash, and up to five numbers (e.g., "MPGS-45678," "CEGS-02444,", or “JSSG-54321”).  The document numbers "00100" through "19999" are reserved for the facilities construction programs.  Preparing Activities shall contact the DSPO for individual or block number assignments.  Maximum direct conversion of existing document numbers to the new guide specification numbers is encouraged (e.g., "MIL-S-87241" becomes "AFGS-87241").

          AP7.3.2.3.  Document Date.  The document date shall be in day, month, and year sequence and located under the document identifier.

          AP7.3.2.4.  Preamble.  A preamble is optional.  If one is used, it may be worded as desired by the Preparing Activity.

          AP7.3.2.5.  AMSC Numbers.  Guide specifications can be the source documents for DIDs.  If a guide specification is a source document for a DID, then it must be cleared by the data approval authority indicated in DoD 5010.12-L (reference (p)) and assigned an AMSC number that shall appear in the lower left-hand corner of the first page.  Guide specifications that are not source documents for DIDs shall be marked "AMSC N/A" in the lower left-hand corner of the first page.  (See subsection C5.3.1. of Chapter 5.)

          AP7.3.2.6.  Qualification.  Guide specifications shall not have qualification requirements.

          AP7.3.2.7.  Subject Term or Keywords.  Guide specifications shall have subject terms or keywords as required by MIL-STD-961 (reference (n)).

      AP7.3.3.  Coordination.  Preparing Activities normally shall coordinate them with the LSA, other DoD users, and a representative segment of industry.  If a guide specification is coordinated, the Preparing Activity shall include Custodians and Review Activities in the coordination.

AP7.4.  UPDATES

Guide specifications may be updated by complete revision or by change notice with page changes.  Revisions shall be shown by an alpha revision designator and an approval date.

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