---
name: mrl-deskbook
description: "Knowledge base from the Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Deskbook (Version 2025, 1 May 2025, OSD ManTech / Joint Service/Industry MRL Working Group). Use for manufacturing maturity and producibility risk in defense acquisition: ten-level MRL scale (target, not grade); demonstration environments; nine Section 2.4 threads; Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathway targets; assessment-to-MMP loop; contract language (Section L/M, SOW, AS6500A, DIDs); criteria adaptation for S and T, sustainment and depot, limited systems including ships, and industry gates; and OT cybersecurity screening inside an assessment. Manufacturing-readiness focused: it measures producibility risk and frames mitigation; it is not a technology-readiness (TRL) guide, not a full systems-engineering process model, not a cost-estimating or schedule guide, and not a deep cybersecurity audit method (see sibling packs for those)."
---

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# Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) Deskbook (Version 2025)

**Source:** OSD Manufacturing Technology Program with the Joint Service/Industry MRL Working Group. US Government work, public domain under 17 U.S.C. 105; Distribution A, approved public release; DOPSR Case # 25-T-1829. Advisory best practice, not a DoD requirement. See `LICENSE`.

## When to use

Use when a program, project, or supplier question is about manufacturing maturity, producibility risk, MRL targets on an acquisition pathway, running an MRL Assessment, writing a Manufacturing Maturation Plan, putting maturity into contract language, adapting criteria, or screening operational-technology cybersecurity on the shop floor.

**Prerequisites:** none. Plain Markdown. No MCP server, API key, or licence tier needed at runtime.

## How to Use This Skill

- No arguments: read the Chapter Index and open the chapter that matches the question.
- Topic question (thread, environment, MMP, contract language, OT screening): use Topic Index `chNN` tokens.
- Lifecycle question (MSA, TMRR, EMD, LRIP, FRP, MTA, UCA): start with `ch03`, then assessment and MMP chapters.

## Chapter Index

| Ch | File | Job |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | [ch01-mrl-deskbook-introduction.md](chapters/ch01-mrl-deskbook-introduction.md) | Purpose, organization, advisory status, Version 2025 structure |
| 02 | [ch02-mrl-deskbook-scale-threads-and-trl.md](chapters/ch02-mrl-deskbook-scale-threads-and-trl.md) | Scale, environments, nine threads, MRL and TRL |
| 03 | [ch03-mrl-deskbook-adaptive-acquisition-framework.md](chapters/ch03-mrl-deskbook-adaptive-acquisition-framework.md) | MCA, MTA, UCA pathway targets |
| 04 | [ch04-mrl-deskbook-conducting-assessments.md](chapters/ch04-mrl-deskbook-conducting-assessments.md) | Scope, taxonomy, team, self-assessment, site visit, report |
| 05 | [ch05-mrl-deskbook-maturation-plans-and-risk.md](chapters/ch05-mrl-deskbook-maturation-plans-and-risk.md) | MMP and risk-management practice |
| 06 | [ch06-mrl-deskbook-contract-language.md](chapters/ch06-mrl-deskbook-contract-language.md) | Planning, RFP, SOW, deliverables, quality, AS6500A |
| 07 | [ch07-mrl-deskbook-users-guide.md](chapters/ch07-mrl-deskbook-users-guide.md) | Excel Users Guide use; workbook stays external |
| 08 | [ch08-mrl-deskbook-adapting-criteria.md](chapters/ch08-mrl-deskbook-adapting-criteria.md) | S and T, sustainment and depot, limited systems including ships, industry |
| 09 | [ch09-mrl-deskbook-ot-cybersecurity.md](chapters/ch09-mrl-deskbook-ot-cybersecurity.md) | OT screening inside a manufacturing assessment |

## Topic Index

- Introduction and advisory status: ch01
- Responsible organization and assessed organization: ch01
- Ten-level scale and non-linear targets: ch02
- Demonstration environments: ch02
- Nine threads and sub-threads: ch02
- MRL and TRL relationship: ch02
- Adaptive Acquisition Framework pathways: ch03
- MCA phase targets: ch03
- MTA Rapid Prototyping and Rapid Fielding: ch03
- UCA targets: ch03
- Assessment scope and taxonomy: ch04
- Self-assessment and site visit: ch04
- Assessment report: ch04
- Manufacturing Maturation Plan: ch05
- Risk-management best practices: ch05
- RFP Section L and Section M: ch06
- SOW, DIDs, AS6500A: ch06
- Users Guide workbook: ch07
- S and T adaptation: ch08
- Sustainment and depot adaptation: ch08
- Single-system and ship adaptation: ch08
- Industry gated development: ch08
- Operational technology cybersecurity screening: ch09

## Supporting Files

- [glossary.md](glossary.md): Version 2025 terms, role pair, Appendix E acronyms
- [cheatsheet.md](cheatsheet.md): Version 2025 quick reference
- [patterns.md](patterns.md): Version 2025 When / How / Trade-offs patterns

## Scope and Limits

Manufacturing readiness and producibility risk for defense acquisition practice. This skill is not a technology-readiness (TRL) guide, not a full systems-engineering process model, not a cost-estimating or schedule guide, and not a deep cybersecurity audit method. Appendix A criteria matrix cells are not reproduced. The Excel Users Guide remains an external workbook. DoDI 5000.88, FAR, and DFARS are named only, never quoted.