As per the documentation given by your team, it says that we need to apply all published Datacom/AD PTFs.
These provide updated CAAXSAMP install JCL members.
These PTFs are not currently applied in our newly established Target library (R15.1).
So, do we need to download and apply these PTFs as a part of our upgrade (from R12 to R15.1) or not?
If yes, can we apply them now? We have already run the APPLY job and are now heading towards the customization process.
Yes, it is a good practice (or even a requirement) to apply all UPGRADE jobs/members related to CAAXSAMP coming via PTFs.
All these PTFs need to be applied prior upgrading, even if these PTFs are not related to your case.
For example PTF RO95838 which removes members AXACTDYN and AXACTDYR.
These members involved in that PTF are not needed anyway when upgrading from Datacom/AD 12.0 to 15.1.
It is a good practice to apply them all in case your installation library will be used later for another different upgrade.
That practice may prevent confusion and errors.