C4I Interoperability

DISA, through JITC, manages the Department’s Joint Interoperability TE&C process structured to provide meaningful and independent test results, which increases stakeholder confidence that capabilities fielded to the warfighter meet mission needs. The T&E activities target evaluation strategies in the design, development, operational, integration and/or sustainment aspects of every program supported. JITC’s T&E efforts span a variety of test categories that support Department-wide enterprise solutions. JITC also provides services for Service, Agency, and mission partner developmental, operational, cyber and interoperability TE&C efforts. As the DoW Joint Interoperability Certification Authority, JITC annually: • Ensures interoperability test, evaluation, and certification standard practices and procedures are in accordance with DoW policy. • Evaluates DoW’s IT/NSS for joint interoperability and issues Joint interoperability certifications and assessments. • Manages the scheduling and executes interoperability test events. These events evaluate, certify, and re-certify Service/Agency systems. • Reviews Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System documents, interoperability support plans, and interoperability policy waivers on behalf of the DoW Chief Information Officer (CIO) and the Joint Staff. These reviews ensure compliance with DoW interoperability testing policy and requirements. • Serves as executive agent to DoW’s Interoperability Steering Group, in support of the DoW CIO, and uses forum to coordinate policy, adjudicate issues, and to process Interim Certificates to Operate. JITC made significant strides in updating test and evaluation methodologies to support new acquisition pathways resulting in increased integrated testing, conducting smaller events, and informing decision makers more often. This enables releasing capabilities to the warfighter more efficiently. On 4 OCT 2022, the Operational Test Agency (OTAs) for the military services and JITC jointly released an “Operational Test Agencies Six Core Test Principles” to encourage early engagement, increased agility, and flexibility to support continuous evaluations for programs and improved support for agile acquisition.