ICD Glossary

AAF pathway for acquiring knowledge-based services, professional services, and other service contracts with performance-based outcomes.

DoW's structured approach with six distinct acquisition pathways designed to deliver effective, suitable, survivable, sustainable, and affordable solutions in a timely manner.

Standardized documentation format for defining capability requirements within the ICD collaborative framework.

Structured guidelines for sharing ICD framework components with coalition partners, ensuring appropriate security levels and sovereign alignment.

The ICD model enabling transparent, modular, and sovereign-aligned collaboration across government, FFRDCs, UARCs, and industry partners in defense technology development.

Distributed system for tracking component lineage, compliance, and audit trails across the ICD ecosystem.

Federally Funded Research and Development Center - government-sponsored entities that assist federal agencies with scientific research and analysis.

Standardized documentation format for hardware designs, schematics, and manufacturing specifications within the ICD framework.

Hardware Industry Commons for Defense License - standardized licensing framework for hardware designs, schematics, and manufacturing specifications.

Governance body providing validation and certification services for components within the ICD collaborative framework.

501(c)(6) organization serving as the primary governance authority for the ICD collaborative framework, modeled after IETF-style governance.

A collaborative framework enabling transparent, modular, and sovereign-aligned collaboration across government, FFRDCs, UARCs, and industry partners in defense technology development.

AAF pathway for programs intended to be completed in 2-5 years via rapid prototyping or rapid fielding approaches.

AI/ML Models Industry Commons for Defense License - standardized licensing framework for artificial intelligence and machine learning models.

ICD principle enabling standardized, interoperable components that can be combined and shared across defense technology projects.

Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition and Sustainment - provides policy guidance and oversight for ICD framework implementation.

Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering - provides policy guidance and participates in ICD Steering Body governance.

Source Code Harmonization And Reuse in Information Technology Act - federal legislation requiring agencies to share custom-developed software code to reduce duplication and costs.

AAF pathway designated as the preferred approach for all software development components of business and weapon system programs in DoW (as of March 2025).

ICD principle ensuring collaboration respects national security requirements and allied partnership constraints.

Software Industry Commons for Defense License - comprehensive licensing framework for software artifacts, APIs, and containerized environments.

Government-led, defense-only committees that ratify standards proposed by PEOs/PMs and submit recommendations to the ICD Steering Body.

ICD principle requiring open governance, clear decision-making processes, and comprehensive documentation of all framework activities.

University Affiliated Research Center - academic institutions that provide specialized research and development capabilities to federal agencies.