Urgent Needs Process & D-UNS
Urgent Needs Process (UNP)
The Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration (DC CD&I) will lead the UNP in order to rapidly field an interim solution to the mission-critical capability gap identified in an Urgent UNS (U-UNS), once certified by the supported Commander of Marine Forces (COMMARFOR) conducting the combat or contingency operations.
The UNP synchronizes abbreviated requirements, resourcing, and acquisitions processes in order to field capabilities faster than the D-UNS process. It is optimized for speed an accepts risk with regard to DOTmLPF-P integration, sustainment, and other considerations.
DC CD&I leads the UNP to resolve three kinds of Urgent Operational Needs (UONs):
- Urgent Universal Needs Statement (U-UNS)
- Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUON)
- Joint Emergent Operational Needs (JEON)
While the U-UNS process is Marine Corps specific, JUON and JEON are warfighting capability gaps that are certified by Combatant Commanders, validated by the Joint Staff, and may be assigned to the Marine Corps by OSD's Joint Rapid Acquisition Cell (JRAC) via the DoN.
Urgent Universal Needs Statement (U-UNS)
To reiterate, this is a Marine Corps only process that develops rapid capabilities with Marine Corps Fiscal Sponsorship. For urgent operational needs (UONs) that require a capability with blue dollar sponsorship, see section Marine Corps Capability Development with Navy Fiscal Sponsorship.
A U-UNS is initiated to identify a mission critical capability gap requiring solution and is endorsed via Service chains. Failure to deliver the capability requested by the U-UNS is likely to result in the inability of units to accomplish their missions or risks increased probability of casualties and loss of life. The UNP has three phases that are designed to overlap:
1. Requirement Identification and Certification
The supported COMMARFOR conducting or preparing to conduct the specific combat or contingency operation certifies and submits the U-UNS to DC CD&I.
2. Solution Development and Resourcing
The Capabilities Development and Integration Board (CDIB) refines the capability gap through coordination with the supported COMMARFOR, then develops and recommends a general DOTmLPF Course of Action (COA) for an interim solution to DC CD&I. DC CD&I presents his recommendation to the Marine Requirements Oversight Council (MROC).
3. Solution Execution and Acquisition
The MROC evaluates the recommendation, authorizes required resources, and directs any other action, typically by publishing a MROC Decision Memorandum (DM)
The U-UNS must identify a capability gap: "what can't be done". While a specific solution may also be recommended, gap identification allows the CDIB to consider the widest range of timely and effective solutions despite technological, industrial, or other limitations. Earliest visibility of a draft U-UNS, even one that may be modified or cancelled in staffing, will enable the most rapid development of the most effectively integrated capability solution.
Upon receipt of an U-UNS, each commander will attempt to provide an interim solution to the capability gap with organic assets. An U-UNS will be endorsed or forwarded when no solution can be provided or when that interim solution further requires a backfill or other action by higher headquarters.
Key information:
- Marines at any level may initiate an U-UNS.
- Capability gaps and solutions are not restricted to commercially available equipment or technologies. They may identify a critical needs for new or additional quantities of existing warfighting capabilities
- The UNP does not provide a fully integrated solution and will likely result in DOTmLPF deficiencies.
- Solutions are theater specific and generally will not be fielded to all operating forces
- As no un-programmed resources are available, the establishment of an urgent warfighting requirement is likely to adversely impact the delivery of other capabilities through the D-UNS, Marine Corps Capabilities Based Assessment (MC CBA), and Campaign of Learning (CoL) processes.
- Every U-UNS also becomes a D-UNS after completion of the UNP to enable detailed and integrated development of the most effective and efficient capability solutions.
- Each interim solution identifies an acquisition strategy to deliver a complete capability with a 24-month sustainment package.
- The goal of the UNP is to provide DC CD&I with a recommendation to resolve a U-UNS within 60 days of certification.
Joint Urgent Operational Needs (JUON)
UONs that are identified by a Combatant Command (CCMD), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), or Vice Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS) as inherently joint and impacting an ongoing contingency operation. JUONs are generally validated by the Joint Staff J8 and typically deliver capabilities to forces actively involved in combat.
Joint Emergent Operational Needs (JEON)
UONs that are identified by a Combatant Command (CCMD), Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), or Vice Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff (VCJCS) as inherently joint and impacting an anticipated contingency operation. JEONs are generally validated by the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) and typically deliver capabilities to forces not yet actively involved in combat.
Deliberate Universal Needs Statement (D-UNS)
A D-UNS is a document that can be used to initiate the Capabilities-Based Assessment portion of the Marine Corps Force Development System. It has a separate function from a U-UNS and the two should not be directly compared. A D-UNS recommends a change, including the development of a new capability, an improvement to an existing capability, or the elimination of redundant or unneeded capabilities. A D-UNS takes full advantage of time in order to consider comprehensive development, DOTmLPF integration, and respective prioritization with respect to other capabilities and available resources.
Key information:
- It can be submitted by Marines across the Operating Forces or Supporting Establishment, including those not deployed to combat or contingency operations. D-UNS may be certified by any Marine Corps 3-Star.
- In unique situations, the CDIB may determine that a D-UNS submission should be more immediately processed as a U-UNS.
- D-UNS may result in a new capabilities only if it competes successfully with all other gaps, typically two to three years after submission.
Marine Corps Capabilities Development Process with Navy Fiscal Sponsorship
Specific procedures apply to Marine Corps programs that have Navy Fiscal Sponsorship (blue dollars), such as aviation programs. The capabilities documents shall be prepared and submitted by DC CD&I to the applicable OPNAV program sponsor, via Navy, Joint, and Urgent Requirements Branch (OPNAV N9IJ).
Prior to joint review, review of these capabilities documents within the Navy and Marine Corps should be accomplished in parallel, with only one board of appropriate membership (NCB, R3B, MROC, or Gate Review) to endorse the document.
The sequence of events is similar to the process described in the previous section, U-UNS, and still follows three distinct phases.
1. Needs Identification and Certification
This phase begins with the identification of a UON via a Service chain of command or upon assignment by the Executive Director, Joint Rapid Acquisitions Cell (JRAC), via ASN (RD&A).
The UON will be certified by the Navy Component Commander (NCC) supporting a CCMD for a fleet identified urgent need or the supported CCMD-level Marine Corps component commander.
For Navy-specific needs, Commander, US Fleet Forces Command (USFF) will endorse urgent needs before they are incorporated into the Urgent Needs Process (UNP).
For DON urgent needs, the Service component commander conducting the combat or contingency operation is responsible for ensuring each meets the definition of urgency and cannot be solved internally with organic resources.
CNO and CMC may also establish procedures to employ the UNP to address mission-critical capability gaps assessed by the Navy or Marine Corps as requiring immediate action.
2. Solution Strategy Development and Resourcing
This phases begins upon the receipt of a Navy or Marine Corps UON; upon assignment of a JUON or JEON, or Warfighter Senior Integration Group (W-SIG) interest item via ASN (RD&A); or upon identification of a Service-level mission-critical capability gap.
The Services establish a cross-functional team to refine the capability gap, support the PM’s course of action analysis, and develop a solution strategy that identifies one or more interim solution options that can be delivered in a timeframe acceptable to the supported commander. This phase ends with the approval of an authoritative requirements memorandum.
3. Solution Execution
This phases begins with receipt of the requirements memorandum by a PEO, SYSCOM commander, or DRPM, and is typically executed via the development, production and deployment, and Operation and Support (O&S) phases in the Urgent Capability Acquisition pathway. The PEO, SYSCOM commander, or DRPM which is the Milestone Decision Authority (MDA) assigns the PM and program office for urgent capability acquisition. This phase ends upon replacement of the interim solutions by an enduring capability or upon the decision to terminate the interim solution by the CNO/CMC.
Key information:
- PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, and DRPMs serve as the MDA for urgent capability acquisition programs within their cognizance that respond to DON Component UONs, unless ASN (RD&A) specifically designates a different MDA.
- PEOs, SYSCOM Commanders, and DRPMs assign the PM and program office for urgent capability acquisition programs for which the PEO, SYSCOM Commander, or DRPM is the MDA.