Mission Assurance Risk Management System (MARMS)

The Mission Assurance Risk Management System (MARMS) is a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative managed by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) under Program Element PE 0605141BR. Its primary goal is to support the Secretary of Defense's Mission Assurance responsibilities as outlined in DoD Directive 3020.40. MARMS aims to create resilience and ensure the protection of critical assets and missions across 17 Mission Assurance Related Programs and Activities (MARPA). The system serves as an integration framework that spans multiple security domains, enabling risk-informed decision-making, resource investment, and improved synchronization at various levels within the DoD.

MARMS is a joint, software-intensive program categorized under the agile-based Adaptive Acquisition Framework Software Pathway. The program supports several Joint Capability Areas, including Command and Control, Logistics, and Protection. Its objectives include federating a family of Mission Assurance systems into an enterprise solution, as defined in the MARMS Information System Initial Capabilities Document (ICD) and Requirements Definition Package (RDP) for Increment 1. The program is structured to deliver technological improvements through multiple spirals, each composed of specific Capability Drops (CD) that introduce new functionalities.

Capability Drop (CD) 1 Information Sharing Registry is a core component developed in partnership with the U.S. Army Futures Command at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ. Its objective is to enhance information sharing and data management capabilities, especially for Increment 2 MARPAs. Planned improvements include expanding the registry's functionality to support risk data integration and management across classified and unclassified networks, such as NIPRNet, SIPRNet, and JWICS.

Capability Drop (CD) 2 Assessment Capability is managed by the U.S. Air Force in Washington, DC. This module is designed to facilitate assessment data collection across multiple MARPAs, supporting validated joint requirements for Increment 2. The goal is to improve the ability to gather, analyze, and share assessment data, thereby enhancing situational awareness and risk management for defense critical missions.

Capability Drop (CD) 3 Existing System Upgrades and CD 4/5/8 Workspace/Viewer focus on upgrading legacy systems and developing enhanced enterprise viewer capabilities. These upgrades, performed by multiple contractors and Appddiction Studio, LLC at Fort Belvoir, VA, aim to improve user interfaces and data integration. They support assessment data collection and cross-domain information sharing for Increment 2 MARPAs.

CD 6/7/9 Data Management Solutions consolidates cross-domain solution contracts and cloud hosting capabilities to realize efficiencies in data management. This effort supports the foundational architecture for unclassified MARMS, ensuring robust data handling and integration for future increments. The program also includes ongoing support from subject matter experts at the Institute for Defense Analysis and Nakupuna Solutions, LLC, providing program management and technical guidance.

The acquisition strategy for MARMS is aligned with the DoD's Adaptive Acquisition Framework, emphasizing continuous development, security, and operations. The program management office builds upon initial IT capabilities and data integration investments, guided by the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Defense Continuity and Mission Assurance and the Joint Staff J36 Mission Assurance Branch. MARMS is structured for ongoing modernization and integration, with phased capability drops and incremental improvements to meet evolving mission assurance requirements.