MIL-HDBK-896, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HANDBOOK: MANUFACTURING AND QUALITY PROGRAM (8 AUG 2008)., The purpose of this handbook is to promote the timely development, production, modification, fielding, and sustainment of affordable and capable DoD systems by addressing manufacturing and quality issues throughout the program acquisition cycle. It is based upon practices developed by a joint government/industry team as part of the manufacturing development initiative, which resulted in the publication of the Manufacturing Development Guide (MDG). This handbook is intended to be used in conjunction with the Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs), as defined by DoD policy and the Defense Acquisition University (DAU). Implementation of the practices within this document will help enable successful progression through MRLs to meet program needs and milestones. This document serves as a concise collection of Manufacturing and Quality best practices. It may be cited in a Request for Proposal (Section L, Instructions to Offerors; Statement of Work; or Statement of Objectives) to clearly describe to the offerors what activities they are expected to undertake. This handbook is not intended to be a detailed, "how-to" guide. The Manufacturing Development Guide, maintained by HQ AFMC (ASC/ENSM), contains additional information and details that will be helpful in the application of this handbook. The detailed requirements of this handbook are in line with the MRL matrix and threads. This handbook is applicable to all phases of DoD system acquisition. It describes proven manufacturing and quality related practices to promote delivery of affordable and capable weapon systems.