DoD Suppliers' Passive RFID Info Guide Released
December 15, 2005
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The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released version 8.0 of Suppliers' Passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Information Guide.
This document is a summary of the DoD's requirements and guidelines covering passive RFID implementation for the supplier community. The guide will be updated as the technology and supporting business processes evolve.
The guide was posted on the Defense Acquisition, Technology & Logistics web site.
The table of contents of version 8.0 is:
1. Introduction
1.1 Background
1.2 Potential Benefits of RFID technology
2. Implementation
2.1 Definitions
2.2 Implementation Approach
3. Guidelines and Requirements
3.1 Contract/Solicitation Requirements
3.2 Case and Pallet Tagging
3.3 Item Level (UID) Tagging
3.4 Advance Shipment Notice (ASN) Transactions
3.5 Tag Classes and Sizes
3.6 Number Formats and Representations
3.7 Identity Types
3.7.1 DoD Identity Type Option
3.7.2 DoD-64 Identity Type
3.7.3 DoD-96 Identity Type
3.8 Tag Placement
3.9 Performance Requirements
4. Frequently Asked Questions
5. Future Amendments
6. Contacts
7. Acronyms
8. Number Conversion Table
The DoD became an early adopter of passive RFID technology because it is part of Automatic Identification Technology (AIT), facilitating accurate, hands-free data capture.
The policy released last year requires passive RFID tagging at the case, pallet and item packaging (unit pack) level, with appropriate contract clause, in accordance with the implementation plan.
The amended Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement (DFARS) became effective November 2005. This rule requires suppliers to affix passive RFID tags at the case and pallet level for shipments of certain commodities to two specific locations (detailed in the guide).
RFID benefits are seen in inventory management and visibility, operational improvements, shrinkage and asset tracking. Within each area, there are collaborative benefits including:
Supplier benefits:
- Improve planning.
- Produce faster demand responses.
- Reduce the "bull whip" effect.
- Streamline business processes.
- Improve efficiency in the recall of defective items. Increase ability to ensure that product(s) remain stocked on DoD's shelves. Receive faster payments for supplied goods.
DoD benefits:
- Improve inventory management and labor productivity.
- Eliminate duplicate orders.
- Replace manual procedures.
- Automate receipt and acceptance
- Improve inventory and shipment visibility and management.
- Reduce shrinkage.
- Enhance business processes within the DoD.
- Improve asset tracking.
The key to future functionality of the unique item data in the DoD supply chain will be the ability to temporarily associate "conditional state" information about the item – whether for transportation, supply management, maintenance, distribution or disposal.
To accomplish this goal, the DoD will use EPC technology as well as approved EPC identity types (previously known as tag data constructs).
Source: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD).