An Evaluation of the Perceived Effectiveness of Reliability Improvement Warranties (RIW) Applied During the Air Force RIW Trial Period

An Evaluation of the Perceived Effectiveness of Reliability Improvement Warranties (RIW) Applied During the Air Force RIW Trial Period
Author: David R. Parkinson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 116
Release: 1983
Genre:
ISBN:

Reliability Improvement Warranties (RIWs) were implemented by the U.S. Air Force in 1974, as the beginning of a RIW trial period. Six major Air Force programs have used RIWs since the trail period began. The Air Force Director of Contracting and Manufacturing Policy (HQ USAF/RDC) requested that the RIW trial period be concluded and that the effectiveness of the Air Force's use of RIWs during the trial period be evaluated. This research effort was an attempt to evaluate the effectiveness of RIWs during the trail period and to provide recommendations for the future use by the Air Force of the RIW concept. RIW experts involved with each of the six Air Force RIW programs were interviewed and asked to rate eleven RIW effectiveness criteria, and to provide recommendations for the future use of the RIW concept. In addition, the RIW experts were asked to respond to open-ended questions of interest to the research effort. The research team concluded from the nonparametric statistical tests the RIW experts perceived effective, and that the experts recommend continued use by the Air Force of the RIW concept. (Author).

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences
Author: Wade H. Shafer
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 424
Release: 1986-07-01
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9780306423857

Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences was first conceived, published, and disseminated by the Center for Information and Numerical Data Analysis and Synthesis (CINDAS) * at Purdue University in 1 957, starting its coverage of theses with the academic year 1955. Beginning with Volume 13, the printing and dissemination phases of the activity were transferred to University Microfilms/Xerox of Ann Arbor, Michigan, with the thought that such an arrangement would be more beneficial to the academic and general scientific and technical community. After five years of this joint undertaking we had concluded that it was in the interest of all con cerned if the printing and distribution of the volumes were handled by an interna tional publishing house to assure improved service and broader dissemination. Hence, starting with Volume 18, Masters Theses in the Pure and Applied Sciences has been disseminated on a worldwide basis by Plenum Publishing Cor poration of New York, and in the same year the coverage was broadened to include Canadian universities. All back issues can also be ordered from Plenum. We have reported in Volume 29 (thesis year 1984) a total of 12,637 theses titles from 23 Canadian and 202 United States universities. We are sure that this broader base for these titles reported will greatly enhance the value of this important annual reference work. While Volume 29 reports theses submitted in 1984, on occasion, certain univer sities do report theses submitted in previous years but not reported at the time.

A View of the Evolution of the Reliability Improvement Warranty (RIW).

A View of the Evolution of the Reliability Improvement Warranty (RIW).
Author: Allan Edward Schmidt
Publisher:
Total Pages: 47
Release: 1976
Genre:
ISBN:

This report tracks DOD involvement in and development of a category of warranty which seeks good product reliability and also reliability growth or growth potential (called RIW) that has evolved over a number of years from DOD and industry experiences. The report provides a historical trail leading to RIW as used in DOD with primary emphasis on the Air Force's recent experience. Some commercial airlines' warranty concepts are discussed; then government and industry views are presented. The report details CODSIA involvement and role in RIW structuring and usage during the current DOD trial test of the concept-- started in 1973. In 1974 it was further definitized and the term RIW and its concepts were presented for the trial use project. However, no specific trial/test parameters have been established. Currently the individual services may apply RIW as they determine, within overall DOD guidelines. Achievement or consummation of the assessment of RIW's merit, benefits, hazards and policies is the task that DOD is at grips with now. The author suggests alternatives to the current DOD RIW test approach, and recommends that: (1) the test be formalized for a period of 1 more year or less; (2) the current RIW programs be evaluated in depth and new programs be added very selectively (or not at all); and (3) DOD, CODSIA and ARINC coordinate or compromise on implementation details and contractual provisions based on the findings of the 1-year test (if RIW is approved as a concept for continued use).

Evaluation of and Recommended Change to the Reliability Improvement Warranty (RIW) Guidelines

Evaluation of and Recommended Change to the Reliability Improvement Warranty (RIW) Guidelines
Author: Mark C. Jacobson
Publisher:
Total Pages: 101
Release: 1979
Genre:
ISBN:

The reliability improvement warranty is a relatively new acquisition technique in government contracting. To encourage effective use of the technique, HQ USAF Directorate of Procurement Policy (LGP) published the pamphlet entitled Interim Guidelines Reliability Improvement Warranty (RIW) in July, 1974. This pamphlet provided guidance in the areas of application criteria, funding, provisions, determination of cost effectiveness, and general implementation and administrative information. Since the guidelines had not been revised since publication, the researchers' objectives were to determine if the guidelines were adequate and to obtain recommendations for improving those guidelines, if necessary. To meet those objectives, 24 individuals knowledgeable in the area of RIW were interviewed. Their perceptions were gathered through ten scaled response questions that addressed main areas within the guidelines. The distribution of responses were tested via the Kolmogorov-Smirnov two sample test to determine the adequacy of the area. Interviewees also recommended changes to correct perceived problem areas via open ended response questions. The researchers concluded the guidelines were inadequate in a number of areas, e.g., evaluation of candidates, example clauses, administrative concerns and cost-benefit analysis among others. Suggestions for increased detail, more examples, deeper rationale and organization into a regulation were made. (Author).

Evaluation of Proposed Criteria to be Used in the Selection of Candidates for Reliability Improvement Warranties

Evaluation of Proposed Criteria to be Used in the Selection of Candidates for Reliability Improvement Warranties
Author: Payton E Dunn (Jr)
Publisher:
Total Pages: 118
Release: 1975
Genre:
ISBN:

As DOD's percentage of the budget continues to decline, there is an increasing need to get more for the defense dollar. One way to achieve this objective is through the use of Reliability Improvement Warranties (RIW). The RIW calls for a total repair contract based on a pre-determined Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF). The contractor to whom the contract is let can realize increased profits by increasing the MTBF of the item. He does this by initiating 'No Cost' Engineering Change Proposals which will increase item performance and reliability. The study was designed to survey the existing population of items covered by a RIW to determine what characteristics they had in common.