DOD: RFID tags to be used on all products shipped to distribution depots
A final rule mandates that contractors must affix the devices on tags or pallets to improve "visibility of DOD assets in the supply chain, increase accuracy of shipments and receipts and reduce the number of logistic 'touch points' in order to decrease the amount of time it takes to deliver material to the warfighter."
The Defense Department finalized the requirement that all products shipped to the Defense Distribution Depot in Susquehanna, Pa., or San Joaquin, Calif., must have passive radio frequency identification tags.
In a final rule published in the Federal Register, DOD officials said contractors must affix the devices on tags or pallets to improve "visibility of DOD assets in the supply chain, increase accuracy of shipments and receipts and reduce the number of logistic 'touch points' in order to decrease the amount of time it takes to deliver material to the warfighter."
DOD issued a policy in July 2004 requiring that all products going to both depots use RFID tags by Jan. 1, 2005. The two Defense Logistics Agency depots met the deadline to use the tracking technology, but the Federal Register notice amends the DOD Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement codifying the requirement.
The department published a proposed rule in April and received comments from 33 persons and organizations, totaling 93 comments. In the new rule, DOD helped clarify the definitions of an exterior container and products on a pallet, and the requirement to ensure the data encoded on each RFID tag is unique.
DOD issued this rule on the heels of a critical Government Accountability Office report on the department's implementation of passive RFID.
GAO found DOD has not incorporated sound management principles into the strategic approach to using RFID tags, and is therefore putting its program at risk.
"Existing passive RFID implementation policy and operational guidance for both DOD and its military components lack or only partially incorporate several key management principles, such as those used by leading organizations and embodied in the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993, that are needed to effectively guide, monitor and assess implementation," auditors said.
DOD is using RFID to improve it inventory management, which has been on GAO's high-risk list since at least 1990 because of poor visibility of product shipments. Auditors said DOD has been using active RFID since the 1990s, but only started using passive RFID in the last few years. But the implementation of passive RFID is problematic, the audit agency found.
GAO said DOD's plan to use RFID is missing or only partially includes several key components, including:
Jason Miller is an assistant managing editor of sister publication,Government Computer News