APA

Advance Procurement Authority is the authorization to procure long-lead items, materials, or components before the main contract or full funding is in place. APA enables contractors to begin ordering items with extended manufacturing or delivery lead times to prevent schedule delays on major programs.

APA is commonly used in defense acquisitions where complex systems require components that may take months or years to manufacture. The authority must be specifically granted by Congress or the appropriate acquisition authority, and funds must be available for the advance procurement. Proper management of APA helps ensure critical path items are available when needed for system integration.