Action Engineering will be back at the Defense Manufacturing Conference (DMC) March 30 – April 2, 2026.
DMC is the nation’s annual forum for enhancing and leveraging the efforts of engineers, managers, technology leaders, scientists, and policymakers across the defense manufacturing industrial base.
Where you can find us:
Booth 309 – Exhibit Hall MAP
Presenting during the Advancing Model-Based Engineering (AME) Track:
Title: Contracting for the Digital Future: Best Practices for Model-Based Definition (MBD) Procurement in Defense Manufacturing
Abstract:
The transition to Model-Based Definition (MBD) represents a significant shift in defense manufacturing.
3D models, fully annotated with design and technical data, replace traditional 2D drawings as the primary means of communication between design, production, and inspection teams. To ensure this transition is seamless and effective, procurement contracts must be carefully crafted to reflect the evolving nature of standards-driven digital product definition and software capabilities.
This presentation provides guidance on how defense acquisition and contracting professionals can structure procurement contracts to support MBD, with a focus on critical standards such as ASME Y14.5 (Dimensioning and Tolerancing), ASME Y14.41 (Digital Product Definition Data Practices), and ASME Y14.47 (Model Organization Practices).
The session will also explore how to leverage the Option Selection Worksheet from MIL-STD-31000 to clearly define and communicate MBD requirements in the context of Technical Data Packages (TDPs) while clarifying standards requirements in cases where gaps exist with current software capabilities. This tool provides a standardized approach to selecting options that ensure proper model formatting, data structure, and long-term data accessibility across the lifecycle of defense systems while optimizing TDPs for both human and machine consumption.
Additional topics will cover the specification of file 3Di viewable and neutral formats derived from 3D native models, best practices for model organization and annotation, as well as the integration of configuration management and MBD verification and validation protocols.
By aligning procurement language with MBD standards, contracting professionals can reduce ambiguity, streamline supplier interactions, and enhance collaboration across the digital thread, all while supporting the DoD’s broader digital engineering initiatives.
This session is ideal for contracting officers, program managers, engineers, and acquisition professionals who wish to modernize their procurement practices and integrate MBD principles effectively into their contracting processes.
