Software Engineering Institute

With the advent of digital engineering and the Department of Defense (DoD) Digital Engineering strategy, programs are attempting to include digital engineering as part of their acquisition strategy. Realizing the desired benefits of digital engineering requires program offices to consider how to best acquire the models and artifacts necessary to gain the advantages of a robust digital engineering program. This report provides guidance for government program offices that are including digital engineering/modeling requirements into a request for proposal (RFP). Since RFPs can be released at many different program phases and because every program is different, the information in this report is meant to stimulate thought on the part of the program office into different areas to consider. The report provides overall guidance and more specific guidance regarding statements of work, deliverables, and Sections L and M of a request for proposal. Sample language included in this report is provided as exemplars and is not intended to be copied verbatim. We encourage program managers to use this report as a resource when partnering with contracting officers.