STEP: a tool for estimating avionics life cycle costs

An overview is presented of how the US Air Force has had significant success in the estimation of life cycle costs (LCC) for avionics hardware and software using the Standardization Evaluation Program (STEP) model for estimating operating and support (O&S) costs. The capabilities of the existing STEP model as well as ongoing enhancements to provide a total LCC estimating methodology are described. In addition to the standard cost reports, STEP has the capability to assess the impact of reliability on life cycle cost. Another unique feature of the STEP model is the capability to assess the impact of retest OK (RTOK) on life cycle costs. The acquisition enhancement is being accomplished in three parts each of which will produce a distinct, usable product. The three products are an automated database, an analogy estimating capability, and a parametric estimating technique. Each is briefly discussed