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The combination of simulation and optimization has been successfully applied to solve real-world decision making problems. However, many of the frameworks used to define the integration between simulation and optimization lack of transparent and coherent structure. This consequently deters the effective use of powerful features the simulation technique by optimization practitioners and vice versa. Furthermore, it also hinders the development of simulation-based optimization methods that have a proper balance between the desired features (i.e. generality, efficiency, high-dimensionality and transparency). This research provides the design of the framework that addresses the knowledge gap above and facilitates the fulfillment of the aforementioned features. The proposed framework is developed based on Zeigler's modeling and simulation framework and the phases of an optimization study in operations …