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RMSS: Frequently Asked Questions

What is a RSA-Military Standard?

RSA-Military documents are developed to meet the standardisation needs that are unique to the RSA defence environment.

Although a standard is a specific type of document, RSA-Military Standards is often used in a generic sense when referring to RSA-Military Standardisation documents. RSA-Military documents include various different types of documents, e.g. RSA-Mil-Std, RSA-Mil-Spec, etc.

RSA-Military documents are technical documents developed specifically to support the technical needs of core business activities, e.g. Acquisition, Procurement, Engineering and Logistics. They are not restricted to any particular organisation, are generic in nature, and are developed to support the drive towards standardisation in the core business environment.

What is the priority status (order of preference) as regards the use of RSA-Military documents?

Currently there is no strict policy on the use of any particular standard. However, for purposes of efficiency and standardisation an RSA-Military standard should be used as a first preference when it exists and complies with the user requirements. As with all standardisation documents, RSA-Military documents are not to be regarded as mandatory documents in general, but the requirement stated becomes mandatory and legally binding once referred to in contractual documents.

What different types of RSA-Military documents are developed/used?

The RSA-Military Standardisation System makes provision for the development of many different types of documents, e.g. RSA-Mil-SIL, RSA-Mil-DID, etc. However, demand has shown that only 4 document types appear to be more frequently used/required, namely:
- RSA-Military-Standard;
- RSA-Military-Specification;
- RSA-Military-Handbook;
- RSA-Military-Procedure.

Who are the users of RSA-Military documents?

RSA-Military documents are primarily developed for use in the RSA-Military environment. They are therefore used internally but also externally in the military industry, specifically where such standards are cited as part of the compliance requirements in RSA-Military related contracts. It has been found, however, that selected RSA-Military documents are sometimes used in the commercial environment, e.g. Ergonomic Standards.

What are the differences between RSA-Military documents and other standards?

When RSA-Military documents are developed the intention is not to redesign the wheel. They are specifically developed to address needs unique to the RSA-Military environment. If other (external) standards do exist which can be used to comply with any particular need within the RSA-Military environment, RSA-Military documents are not and will not be developed.

What other Standardisation documents are administered by the RMSC and what is the RMSS's policy on their use?

The RMSS has acquired permission to keep a full set of secondary master copies of ITOPs (International Test Operations Procedures) for distribution and use in the RSA-Military environment. For more information on ITOP standardisation documents, refer to the following link: http://www.dtc.army.mil/. Also refer to the Index of Standards (ITOPs)

The RSA-Military Standardisation Centre (RMSC) also acquires selected external standardisation documents on a regular basis. The policy of the RSA-Military Standards Steering Committee (RMSS) in this regard is to purchase such documents in instances where there is significant standardisation potential – i.e. preferably for use by as wide as possible a user or interest group in the RSA-Military environment. Emphasis is also placed on the purchasing of documents that have a generic application rather than a project-specific focus.
When these documents are acquired for internal use, strict control is exercised in order to ensure adherence to copy-right conditions and intellectual property requirements.

What is the policy on cost to supply RSA-Military documents to clients?

RSA-Military documents are usually supplied free of charge to clients that are directly involved in RSA-Military contracts and projects. RSA-Military documents can be supplied to other external clients subject to certain criteria, in which case a small fee is usually charged.

What about security issues on the use of RSA-Military documents?

The policy of the RSA-Military Standards Steering Committee (RMSS) is to develop RSA-Military documents without any security classification, i.e. “unclassified”. Certain RSA-Mil documents are restricted, however. Whatever the case may be with respect to security restrictions, these restrictions must be adhered to at all times (both from a user point of view as well as when issuing and distributing documents).

Ownership, copy-right and intellectual property of RSA-Military documents

RSA-Military documents are the intellectual property of Armscor and the RSA-Military Department of Defence. RSA-Military documents are governed by the RSA-Military Standards Steering Committee (RMSS) and are administered within the RSA-Military Standardisation Centre (RMSC). No RSA-Military documents may be copied, electronically or otherwise, without the permission of the RMSS.

How are RSA-Military documents developed?

When a need is registered, the RSA-Military Standards Steering Committee (RMSS) attempts to confirm whether any similar documents exist that already address the specific subject, so as to try to prevent duplication of effort. All needs for the development or update of RSA-Military documents are directed to the secretary of the RMSS. Then follows a process to approve the need and arrange for the required resources, which include the Project Manager and Project Team that are going to be responsible for managing the project. The development efforts are coordinated by a coordinated working group which reports directly to the RMSS. (Link to process)

Where can RSA-Military documents be obtained?

RSA-Military documents are available on the Armscor Intranet for internal users. For those who do not have access to the Armscor Intranet, the availability of documents is restricted. Indexes of standardisation documents governed by the RSA-Military Standards Steering Committee (RMSS) are available on this site. For further information regarding access to specific documents users should contact the secretary of the RMSS at:

Contact details of the RMSS are:

E-mail address: rmss@armscor.co.za
Telephone: +27 12 428-3001 or +27 12 428-2964
Fax: +27 12 428-2582

Postal address:
RMSS
Armscor
PO Box X337
PRETORIA
0001