Is Configuration Management required during the disposal effort in the DoD acquisition management framework?

In the context of the DoD acquisition management framework, configuration management is not required during the disposal effort. This means that once a system or equipment is at the stage of disposal, the rigorous requirements associated with configuration management—such as maintaining, controlling, and documenting technical configuration data—are typically relaxed. Disposal efforts focus more on managing the safe and environmentally responsible decommissioning of assets rather than on maintaining configuration management standards.

The rationale for this is that the primary concern during disposal is effective and compliant cessation of use, rather than the ongoing management of system configurations or technical documentation. While some best practices from configuration management may still be relevant (such as ensuring that the disposal process follows regulatory guidelines), the formal structure and processes associated with configuration management are generally not applicable at this stage. This understanding aligns with the practices and guidelines outlined in DoD instructions and regulations that specifically address the acquisition process and lifecycle management.