The implementation of RFID enables the improvement of data quality, item management, asset visibility, and maintenance of material. RFID addresses a key challenge that has been observed at every node within the DoD supply chain - lack of visibility of logistics data. The use of RFID in the DoD supply chain has the potential to provide real benefits in inventory management, asset visibility and interoperability in an end-to-end integrated environment. RFID encapsulates the data accuracy advantages inherent in all types of Automatic Identification Technology (AIT). Additionally, RFID is a non-intrusive methodology for data capture (requires no human intervention), and, unlike barcodes, does not require line-of-sight to be read. RFID is a key technology enabler for the DoD logistics business transformation and supports long-term integration of Item Unique Identification (IUID) into the DoD end-to-end supply chain. RFID (both active and passive) is required by DoD to:
MIL-STD-129 and DFARS 252.211-7006 require you to affix passive RFID tags at the case (i.e. shipping/exterior container) and pallet level for shipments of specific commodities to specific locations. (See the two next questions for the specified commodities and locations.) The DoD also requires the RFID numbers of each case and pallet bearing RFID labels to be sent in an Advanced Shipment Notice to WAWF. This appends the RFID numbers to the WAWF Receiving Report of the associated DoD contract. It can be done via manual data entry or electronically.
The DoD maintains an updated list of ‘ship to’ locations requiring RFID per DFARS Clause 252.211-7006 at http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/sci/RFID_ship-to-locations.html. However, you MUST read your individual contract carefully, because additional locations requiring RFID may be identified for specific shipments.
When shipping to a location that requires RFID, you must place an RFID label on every outermost box of the shipment. This is true when the outermost box (i.e. shipping container) is on a shrink-wrapped pallet or when the outermost box is an individual case. In addition, when shipping to a location that requires RFID, you must place and RFID label on all shrink-wrapped pallets. Whenever a shrink-wrapped pallet requires a Military Shipping Label (MSL), it also requires an RFID tag. In summary, when RFID tags are required, they must be applied at the case (exterior container or shipping container) and pallet (palletized unit load) levels.
The required data consists of a Header, Filter, Government Managed Identifier (or CAGE code) and Serial Number. This "serial number" does not refer to the serial number of the product being shipped. Rather, this "serial number" is a unique number assigned to a specific case or pallet. This number must be unique. It is never acceptable to repeat a tag ID across two or more passive RFID tags.
DoD-96 Identity Type
Header: 8 bits
Filter: 4 bits
Government Managed Identifer: 48 bits
Serial Number: 36 bits
Wide Area Workflow (WAWF) is the DoD's secure web-based system for electronic invoicing, government inspection, receipt and acceptance. It enables electronic form submission, processing and acceptance. It creates a virtual folder housing all contact-related documents and sign-offs required to pay a vendor including the contract, invoice and Receiving Report. Authorized DoD users are notified of pending actions by e-mail and are presented with a collection of documents required to process a contracting or financial action. WAWF has reduced the number of days it takes for DoD contractors to get invoices approved and paid by.
Sending an Advanced Ship Notice (ASN) to WAWF is the second part of the RFID regulation per RFID DFARS clause, 252.211-7006. The ASN is not a new process. It just adds the submission of RFID data to the Material Inspection Receiving Report (MIRR) sent to WAWF. MIRR is the on-line version of the now defunct, paper DD250. The RFID data are the 24 characters encoded on the RFID chip and printed on the Military Shipping Label or Exterior Container Label of every case and pallet of each shipment. For example: 2F1203337515435000000017.
The CAGE of the entity who ships the product should be used on the tag.
MIL-STD-129 requires Unit Container labels, Intermediate Container labels, Exterior Container labels and Military Shipping labels.
Unit Container labels bear data and Code 39 linear barcodes specified by MIL-STD-129 including NSN, CAGE, Part Number, Description, Quantity, Unit of Issue, Contract number, Preservation Method and Date of Preservation. Intermediate Container labels bear the same information.
Exterior Container labels include contract and content data and several Code 39 linear barcodes specified by MIL-STD-129.
Military Shipping labels (MSL's) include 'ship from' and 'ship to' address data, several Code 39 linear barcodes and a large PDF417 2-D barcode.
MIL-STD-2073 describes a 'Russian doll' arrangement of Unit Containers, Intermediate Containers, and Exterior Containers as indicated in the graphic below. Your contract contains MIL-STD-2073 codes which indicate the level of packaging and type of containers specified for your shipments. Click here to see the required MIL-STD-129 labels.
MIL-STD-2073 describes a 'Russian doll' arrangement of Unit Containers, Intermediate Containers, Exterior Containers, and pallet as indicated in the graphic below. Your contract contains MIL-STD-2073 codes which indicate the level of packaging and type of containers specified for your shipments.