ILSP (Integrated Logistics Support Plan)

ILSP stands for Integrated Logistics Support Plan. It is the plan used to organize and manage the logistics-support requirements of a defence system throughout its life cycle. Those requirements include maintenance, supply support, training, technical publications, facilities, tools and related support activities.

The plan belongs to a wider discipline called integrated logistics support (ILS). A Canadian government research publication states that ILS requires an integrated logistics support plan, developed at the design stage and maintained throughout the product's life (National Research Council Canada publication). In Canadian defence procurement, the ILSP is how a buyer and a contractor agree on how a system will be supported once it is delivered.

How National Defence defines integrated logistics support

The Department of National Defence (DND) defines integrated logistics support as a management and technical process. Through it, supportability and logistics-support considerations are integrated into system design, and the logistics-support elements are planned, acquired, tested and provided across the system life cycle. DND describes the aim as defence-system availability, serviceability and reliability at optimum life-cycle cost.

The policy is set out in DAOD 3007-0, Integrated Logistics Support. It applies to DND employees and Canadian Armed Forces members, and it requires ILS processes and activities throughout the life cycle of defence systems and equipment.

What an ILSP covers

The ILSP is the planning document inside the ILS process. It addresses the support elements a system needs to stay in service:

• Maintenance planning and supply support, including spares
• Training for operators and maintainers
• Technical publications
• Facilities, tools and related support activities

The plan is meant to be created early, at the design stage, and kept current as the system changes. That is why ILS requirements often appear alongside engineering and design deliverables in a solicitation.

Where ILS requirements appear in Canadian solicitations

ILS requirements show up in several kinds of federal procurement documents:

• Improved galley solicitation: A CanadaBuys document includes an Integrated Logistics Support section covering ILS organization, planning and activities. It also assesses the bidder's capability to carry those activities out (improved galley annex).
• Vehicle and equipment RFPs: One CanadaBuys RFP requires sample ILS documents to be submitted to the Technical Authority for approval before delivery of each vehicle or equipment configuration and its accessories (RFP W8476-267094).
• Medium Support Vehicle Systems: A National Defence RFP identifies ILS elements as contractor deliverables and specifies the medium and delivery method for them (RFP W8476-257005).
• Airworthiness changes: DND guidance says ILS work for design changes should be driven through ILS work statements in the statement of work. All ILS elements affected by a design change must be addressed before technical airworthiness clearance (Technical Airworthiness Authority advisory 2017-04).
• Major programs: For the Next Generation Fighting Vehicles project, Canada plans to acquire integrated logistics support to operate and sustain the fleet during its first two years of service (PSPC project page).

Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) also recognizes ILS as a professional-services skill. Its Task-Based Professional Services Supply Arrangement includes an Integrated logistics support specialist category. Listed work includes preparing statements of work, evaluating ILS bid proposals, integrating ILS with engineering and procurement activities, and planning maintenance, spares, training, technical publications and facilities.

What an ILSP means for a supplier bidding on Canadian contracts

The exact obligation depends on the solicitation, so read the ILS section and the statement of work closely. The cited procurements show that a bidder may need to describe its ILS organization and plan, demonstrate its capability to perform ILS activities, and supply ILS documents as contract deliverables. It may also need to submit samples to the Technical Authority for approval and address specific support elements in the statement of work.

Bid teams should confirm who owns each support element, what format and delivery method are required, and when documents are due relative to delivery of equipment. Suppliers without in-house ILS experience can look to the ILS specialist category under the PSPC supply arrangement as a model for the skills a credible plan draws on.