The University of Dayton Research Institute was selected as the only University Prime Contractor for the DESP. The UDRI DESP Team has the technology/experience base to successfully prime the DESP and to ensure that technical and management support is available. The Team consists of: the University of Dayton Research Institute (UDRI); Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC), Innovative Logistics Techniques, Inc. (Innolog); Mission Research Corporation (MRC); Earth Tech, Aersopace Engineering Spectrum (AES); and PEER Consultants. The purpose of DESP is to support the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) goal of reducing ownership costs while maintaining or improving the performance of Air Force systems.  DESP accomplishes this purpose through the completion of individual Delivery Order (DO) efforts.  These efforts resolve reliability and maintainability (R&M) issues by providing requisite serves for design and engineering support, integration, modification, maintenance, repair, and support operations to insert existing and emerging technologies. This contract, the follow-on to the Design Engineering Program (DEP) contract, demonstrates the ability of UDRI to manage multiple large, multimillion-dollar DO contracts involving large interdisciplinary teams.  This contract utilizes the Integrated Product Development (IPD) philosophy and the use of the Integrated Product Team (IPT) as the most cost-effective way to address technology problems related and to develop technologies that will result in reliable and maintainable aircraft systems.  UDRI's experience in leading and participating in IPTs enhances our ability to manage the collaborative efforts of the proposed WBI projects. This contract also demonstrates the ability of UDRI to develop technology solutions and work with the aircraft industry to implement the solution to Air Force weapon systems problems.  This program provides direct operational support to major components of the Air Force. Because of the size and diversity of the DESP, UDRI established a Program Management (PM) position to ensure contract operation and customer satisifaction.  The DESP PM is the single POC for the CO and COTR on all of the DOs.  Each DO has a designated Project Technical Manager (PTM) who is responsible for the performance of the DO.  The DESP PM is responsible for ensuring that each DO is completed on time, within budget, and satisfies the customer's needs.