### Question
What does independent cost estimate mean?


### Answer
**Independent cost estimate** has the following meaning in *50 U.S.C. § 3097*:

> a pragmatic and neutral analysis, assessment, and quantification of all costs and risks associated with the development, acquisition, procurement, operation, and sustainment of a major system across its proposed life cycle, which shall be based on programmatic and technical specifications provided by the office within the element of the intelligence community with primary responsibility for the development, procurement, or operation of the major system

#### Citation:
  - *50 U.S.C. § 3097*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 44-NATIONAL SECURITY > SUBCHAPTER III-ACCOUNTABILITY FOR INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES**

