How is a non-developmental item (NDI) defined?

A non-developmental item (NDI) is defined as a product or system that is readily available for procurement and does not require significant development work to be utilized for its intended purpose. This means that NDIs can be procured directly and deployed without going through extensive modification or redesign processes.

The focus on NDIs is significant in systems acquisition management because it allows organizations, particularly government entities, to leverage existing solutions that have already been tested and proven in the market. This approach can save time and resources compared to developing new systems from scratch. NDIs often include commercially available products, items adapted from commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) products, or systems that have undergone some level of production and refinement.

In contrast, the other options describe entities that do not fit the definition of NDIs. Developing items specifically for government use or prototypes requiring extensive testing imply that the items are still in the development phase and are not readily available for procurement, thus not qualifying as non-developmental items.