Various federal agencies- and especially the Department of Defense- use the Technology and Manufacturing Readiness Level systems to gauge the conceptual or commercial maturity of the proposals that they receive.
The Technology Readiness Level (TRL) system is used to gauge technological maturity along nine different levels; this metric takes factors such as foundational concepts, demonstrable capabilities, and feasibility into account:
TRL 9 End-product proven in an operational environment
TRL 8 System completion and qualification
TRL 7 Prototype demonstration in an operational environment
TRL 6 Model demonstration in a relevant environment
TRL 5 Validation in an operational environment
TRL 4 Validation in a laboratory environment
TRL 3 Experimental proof of concept
TRL 2 Technology concept and/or application formulated
TRL 1 Basic principles observed and reported
Manufacturing Readiness Levels (MRLs) are used in a similar capacity as TRLs, although they are generally applied in the context of supplier and industrial assessments as opposed to technological maturity:
MRL 9 Capability to begin full-rate production
MRL 8 Capability to begin low-rate production
MRL 7 Capability to manufacture final system and components
MRL 6 Capability to manufacture prototype system
MRL 5 Capability to manufacture prototype components
MRL 4 Capability to produce the technology in a laboratory
MRL 3 Manufacturing proof of concept
MRL 2 Manufacturing concepts identified
MRL 1 Basic manufacturing implications identified
McAllister & Quinn has experience navigating and guiding projects across all TRLs and MRLs and uses this sophisticated understanding to best identify target programs for clients and collaborate their concepts and goals with the federal offices who manage them.