Gary Moe, President of ID Integration, Speaks in Favor of UID System

Defense is an important responsibility of the government of any nation. The safety and protection of an entire population depends on the strength of its military. The stronger the defense, the more powerful it grows eventually. The defense department of any nation, therefore, has to be very diligent and responsible with every step that it takes. The UID is a unique system with through its implementation all the assets that are owned, distributed, or used by the U.S. military are registered and authenticated with a unique identification mark, called the UID code.

Gary Moe is the President of IDI, which is a company that he co-founded in the year 1999 and one of the most well known providers of UID marking solutions in the U.S. Forty-something, Gary Moe, who now lives in Washington State, explained that all the items or possessions of the military, specifically the Department of Defense must be marked with a special code. Gary Moe has extensive experience in DoD integration applications. He has been well served by his Bachelor’s Degree in chemical engineering and also his experiences as the Chairman of the UID Supplier Alliance. He believes that a unique identification marking system helps any business better manage assets, production effectiveness, safety, and overall accountability.

Just like every citizen of the United States is provided with a unique, Social Security Number, each and every item that is possessed and owned by the military, too, has to be marked with a special and unique code that authenticates it and facilitates tracking, storing, stocking, and recognition. There are various tools within UID system, including, barcode printers, scanners, 2D parts scanners, and more. Gary Moe’s expert staff at ID Integration provides solutions to all kinds of ID integration needs for DoD suppliers.

There are a number of ways in which a UID code can be marked on an item. Gary Moe explains that these processes include a wide range of technologies like etching, bonding, laser marking, high resolution inkjet printing, or even programmable indent stamping – just to name a few. The durability of the mark often depends on the marking technique that has been used. Mark permanence is a requirement throughout the entire lifetime of a product.

Today, a unique identification marking system is not only used by many government bodies, but also by non-government bodies. Marking for traceability purposes is especially prominent in the pharmaceutical and food industries due to safety precautions and practices. By maintaining an effective marking solution, a company gains the ability to track and pinpoint down to the batch. With this capability, a company can quickly get dangerous products off store shelves and ultimately save many lives in the process.

Marking UID Labels Following DFARS 252.211-7003

The United States of America follows an extensive system to ensure maximum protection and safety to an entire nation of people. With today’s critical need for national security, our government makes it a primary objective to ensure complete tracking of all Department of Defense (DoD) assets for safety and security purposes, throughout the full life cycle of a given product or part. In July 2003, the DoD established a set of guidelines, containing certain rules and regulations that need to be followed by the military and any suppliers to the U.S. Department of Defense.

These regulations contained a series of specifications for UID marking to generate an orderly and methodical means of tracking assets from their purchase, to distribution, or usage anywhere by the U.S. government. A popular form of accepted identification, UID labels, emerged as a preferable solution for the DoD guidelines; including DFARS 252.211-7003. These guidelines contain specific instructions to the marking method, identification nomenclature, and durability requirements, among many other important factors. To become more proficient in all the relevant DoD rules and regulations, consult the full text contained within the DFARS 252.211-7003 along with MIL SPEC 130 or MIL STD 130. Primarily, the UID labels were used only by the Government or the military but nowadays, many non government bodies too, are using the UID labels to authenticate and keep track of the various items and properties owned by it.

There are some basics, that need to be kept in mind when attempting to meet or exceed the DoD enforced DFARS 252.211-7003 standards:

• Remember that UID marking is done to assist in tracking and recognizing a particular item throughout its complete lifecycle. Therefore the UID labels, or identification marks, must be positioned in a way that is prominently visible. This mark must not be hidden in any corner of the item. DFARS 252.211-7003 stipulates specifically that all UID marking needs to be placed somewhere on the clearly visible parts of the body of the item.

• According to DFARS 252.211-7003 requirements UID labels can be marked in several ways, including etching, bonding, laser marking, high resolution inkjet printing, dot peen stamping, chemical stenciling, and etching, among many other effective measures. Most businesses tend to select the marking method that fits best within their existing production processes, while complying to the DFARS 252.211-7003 standards; as well as MIL SPEC 130.

• Sometimes, a situation arises, when there isn’t much space available on the body of an item. DFARS 252.211-7003 and other regulations require at least the minimum and the most basic of the information to be marked on the body of the item. Some UID labels are really long and if the item is of a small size, it might not be easy to mark it with the entire long code. In such a situation, the most important and basic information needs to be placed on the body. In some exceptions, it is possible to affix a UID label tag to an item in order to meet compliance requirements.

Gary Moe Educates & Upholds MIL-STD-129 Specifications for UID Marking

The idea of unique identification is a concept that assists both official government agencies and well-known manufacturers in creating a traceable, integrated system of marking, scanning, verification, and data analysis tools. ID Integration President and Chairman of the UID Supplier Alliance, Mr. Gary Moe believes in the many benefits of the UID marking guidelines, as detailed in MIL-STD-129. The concept of marking and coding products has spread throughout U.S. industry and other parts of the world. Today, there just about every successful manufacturer has some practices in place for unique identification marking of parts and products as well as traceability throughout distribution channels for the life of most products.

Basically, MIL-STD-129 is not rocket science. However, it’s not exactly simple either. These guidelines spell out the adopted standards or rules that need to be followed while marking an item that supplied to the United States, Department of Defense (DoD). These standards were introduced by the DoD in July of 2003 and continue to remain in force to date.

To gain a greater understanding of the specifications contained within these MIL-STD-129 requirements, Gary Moe and his associates at ID Integration, make it their business every day, to help DoD manufacturers achieve compliance for more successful government contracts. The expertise of Gary Moe and his fellow integration specialists understand the great purpose in a compliant UID marking system. Through the standards upheld in MIL-STD-129, our entire nation and its population, is more protected and safeguarded, with an efficient, strong military and Defense network.

According to Gary Moe, these UID labels function in a manner that facilitates the smooth and organized working of the military. Let us take a look at the various ways that UID marking is a great benefit for the entire Department of Defense; in addition to many corporations around the world. Regardless of the guidelines that must be followed, and whether a contract is primarily dealing with DFARS 252.211-7003 or MIL-STD-129, these sets of standards must be followed strictly for a smooth running relationship.

• MIL-STD-129 presents certain set of rules and regulations that need to be followed when marking items for UID compliance. The various UID solutions include a wide range of equipment like UID barcode scanners, 2D data matrix scanners, UID barcode printers, laser marking systems, and so much more. Often, it’s necessary to thoroughly evaluate a product and its related production process to gain an understanding of the best methods for a particular integration project. Each marking method has its purpose and some may be more efficient than others in various UID applications.

• As described by Gary Moe, IDI President and Chairman of the UID Supplier Alliance, most UID marking has gone main stream today. However, popular consensus in the industrial arena does not replace the stringent requirements set in place by the Department of Defense. Failure to adhere to guidelines as described in MIL-STD-129 or MIL-STD-130 can ultimately result in lost contracts. UID marking is a matter to be taken very seriously.

• Automated marking, scanning, and analysis technologies can make even the most challenging UID marking application more efficient and cost effective for all parties involved. There have been numerous innovations in recent years and these have really helped to solve a large amount of manufacturing problems.

If you’re venturing into the arena of DoD contracts, then it is beneficial to consider consulting services from UID integration leaders like, ID Integration and Gary Moe. Don’t navigate the confusing waters of MIL-STD-129 alone; trust in an experienced professional who knows exactly how to provide the best UID solution for your company’s needs.

How UID Can Save You Time, Money, and Efficiency

Unique Identification (UID) is a system made mandatory by the government to assist in the efficiency of logistics flow. Dealing with the Department of Defense requires use of the UID standard as detailed in the MIL-STD-130. Several other government agencies make use of the system as well for the benefits it provides.
The UID system can assist in the long-term tracking of various wares and sundries. Simple scans of UID compliant labels can increase flow of goods, lowers the cost of managing them, allows for more strategic purchasing strategies, and has a high return on accuracy for inventory counts.

All goods must include a UID for items over $5000 except in the cases where the item already possesses an unique tracking identifier. This could include a serial number such as on a weapon or a Vehicle Identification Number on a car. If a company wishes to do business with the Department of Defense or other government agencies, they will need to be compliant and use UID for their sundries.

Several different kinds of markings and labels exist that are compliant with UID policy. These can include shipping labels, laser etching and bonding, stenciling, and pinstamping. A variety of hand scanners and printers are available to help manage the flow of UID compliant materials to their respective destinations. Different solutions may work better for different companies depending on the product they are dealing with.

ID Integration, Inc. is a company dedicated to helping businesses find the solutions and equipment that work for them. Dealing with government regulations to stay compliant can be a taxing process. This is why we make it our business to provide you the expertise you need to keep your business with the government within regulation. For over fifteen years we have been providing UID shipping solutions and management to a wide array of contractors. Groups from divisions of Boeing, Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. Army and Navy utilize our services and products for their UID compliance needs.

We are a veteran owned company, thus we take great pride in being able to ensure that our soldiers get the equipment they need in a timely fashion. If you are unsure of what equipment you need, we offer consultation to help work out the UID solution that best fits your company’s needs. Navigating government bureaucracy and standards can be difficult. We make it our job to know how to navigate these waters.

Understanding MIL-STD-130 for UID Compliance

The DOD oversees the MIL-STD-130, a standard that explains how to be compliant with UID, which stands for Unique Identification. The military is very serious about controlling and preventing fraud, waste and abuse. All Department of Defense (DOD) assets must be specially marked and meet numerous specifications when designing a contract.

Items like cars that already have an identification number are excluded from this UID marking standard. Included in the standard of marking items is anything “produced, stocked, stored, or issued by the Department of Defense.” There are extensive rules involved in properly marking items that are under the DOD’s control.

UID Specific Marking Specifications

The most important rule to follow is making sure the identification tag, band, label or plastic identification plate is securely attached to the item. The UID marking can be fixed onto the surface of the item if it is visible, easily read, and permanent. The marking must be able to handle environmental turmoil and conditions.

Machine Readable Information or MRI is the preferred method of marking and should be used whenever practicable. If that method of UID is not possible, then the item must be marked in a way that will endure for the life cycle of the item.

For items that are too small to handle proper UID, the most important identification information should be marked. The Enterprise Identifier or EID (organization and activity distinguisher), PIN or Part Identifying Number, LOT or batch number of the marked item should be identified.

If there is not enough space on the item to properly mark the item, the package should identify the unit, following the guidelines of the UID standards.

Industry Specific Protocols

The marking standard has specific requirements for many different industries. Air transport, automotive, consumer electronics, manufactures using GS1 standards, and NASA should adhere to the protocols specific to their industry. Any MRI protocols that are different than the UID standards should request protocol inclusion from the Asset Visibility Division of the DOD.

The MRI explained

There are specifications and minimum requirements in place for how much information the UID mark includes. The EID, serial number, and PIN number as applicable. Duplicate items are often given a Unique Item Identifier or UII, “a numbered prefix given to items in the event of a duplicate part number assignments on behalf of an enterprise so that each individual part can be easily identified.”

Commercial Off the Shelf or COTS items are exempt from UID marking and additional requirements if the item is clearly identifiable with commercial identification information. Obviously, the DOD does not expect parts within an assembly to be identified so long as it is not expected to be repaired and replaced. However, it can be required if included in a specific contract.

Sometimes there are legacy items that need UID markings. The EID that is used to create a UII must be from the organization that ensures uniqueness as opposed to previous markings.

UID Marking Arrangements and Quality

Of course, there are further specifications regarding MRI marking quality. There is specific protocol for linear bar code and data matrix symbols. If the manufacturer is also the Original Design Activity or ODA there are additional protocols to follow. This subject is complicated and you should refer to the experts at ID-Integration for more information.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MIL_STD_130
http://www.id-integration.com/dodmilspec.htm
http://www.bergstrom-seo.com/clients/ID-integration/Articles/Summary_MIL-STD-130N_Spec.pdf

The MIL-STD-129 Standard For Marking of Shipment

The MIL specs for different items differ depending on the nature of the items. The MIL-STD-129 standards are set of instructions aimed at achieving standard objectives.

MIL-STD-129 is one of the DoD MIL specification standards. This fundamental military standard is meant to maintain uniformity in the military product marking for shipment and storage. It is essential that all military equipments and ammunitions supplied to DoD through shipment should be marked according to standard and specifications mentioned in MIL-STD-129. As any MIL specs, used by DoD to achieve standardized objectives, the MIL-STD-129 is specifically designed for the shipment and storage. The standard mentions the details of marking the items beginning from designing and construction to quality control and maintenance. The MIL-STD-129 has provided separate instruction for tagging, marking and labeling.

The DoD MIL specs keep on changing in regular interval of time keeping in mind the necessary requirements. For instance, the DoD observed certain drawbacks in the marking system according to the MIL-STD-129 standard. As the container marking bears same level of significance as the item marking, the discrepancies in the standard was rectified with the upgraded version of MIL-STD-129, ie. MIL-STD-129P. The revised version of MIL-STD-129 was introduced on 16^th January 2006. Although the MIL-STD-129 standard is a rigorous practice for item marking, the contractors are required to follow the instruction regarding application of numbers, labels, tags along with use of symbols and colors.

The specifications requirements for different kinds of containers are discussed bellow.

Unit Containers

The containers are listed only after they are assigned with unique serial number by the Government or the manufacturer for identification or control. The MIL-STD-129 standard has also mandated that the serial number should be entered in a clear format. The other data required for marking the Unit Containers are National Stock Number (NSN) Barcode, NSN,CAGE, part number, quantity, item description, unit of issue, contract number, date of preservation, lot number (if used), method of preservation code. Shelf marking of the containers is required to specify the start of shelf life of the items that need to be tested or disposed of.

It is to remember that the serial numbers assigned to indicate the quantity produced should not be listed. Sometimes, the exterior containers are used as unit containers, and at that time the exterior container rules are applied for the unit container.

Intermediate container

The rules for marking the intermediate containers are the same as the unit container and the same data are applied except the serial number. When an intermediate container contains more than five serial-numbered items, the exterior container rules for the serial number are applied for the purpose.

Exterior Container

For the exterior container, the basic rules of the unit container are applied except some of the specific identification marking requirements. The MIL-STD-129 specifications, there are few exceptions in the marking procedure. For instance, it is mandatory that the Contract Number, NSN, and CAGE Code should be entered in the barcode format. The marking of exterior container doesn’t require item descriptions. The additional levels required for the marking are Military Shipment Label (MSL), Direct-Vendor Delivery (DVD) Label, Serial Number Barcode(s).

The MIL-STD-129 specifications are crucial part of DoD’s item tracking process.

Direct Part Marking and Its Diverse Benefits

Direct part marking or DPM is one of the two methods of marking the DoD items with unique identification symbols. It is the technology of applying machine readable 2D data matrix barcodes directly to the surfaces of the parts and items.

The marking process is essential for automate the information retrieval process. Basically, the technique enhances permanent unique part identification and improves quality. The Direct part marking process is also useful to reduce errors, reduce the life-cycle cost and improve readiness. Data matrix is the standard for direct part marking.

Direct part marking has the same functionality required for unique identification marking. The DoD function of documentation and databases that are essential for keeping track of the processes such as manufacturing, procurement, shipment, installation and storage are performed with the marking system. The DPM also allows identifying items during storage, handling, functional use, installation, repair, replacement and maintenance.

Application of Direct Part Marking

The DPM is applied to items considering certain conditions such as metal of the parts, thickness of the surfaces, texture of the surface, etc. First of all direct part marking is applied considering the function of the parts for safety critical operation. The shape of the part is important to consider before applying the DPM process of marking. For instance, it is difficult to etch the data elements of the UII on a curved surface. On the other hand, a flat surface makes convenient environment for such marking procedure.

The surface type ad texture of the item influences the direct part marking process. It is difficult to apply different methods of DPM on a polished surface. The environment in which the items are used and the functional life time of the items is essential to consider while directly marking an item. Metal of the item also determines the method of DPM that should be applied to an item. For instance, the chemical etching method can’t be used on all metals as it may affect the functionality of the product.

Although, the marking depth of the direct part marking should not exceed 1/10 of the thickness of the part, it is important to take proper care of the item thickness before selecting the exact direct part marking procedure.

Requirements of Direct Part Marking

The data entered through direct part marking remains readable throughout product life. As durability of marking is the prime aspect of applying item identification, permanent marking of the items can be achieved through this marking method.

As direct part marking considers several aspects, the marking methods ensures that the marking can withstand all environmental conditions that the product will be exposed to under normal operation.

Each marking methods are applied after testing the material of the items and their functional environment. Hence, direct part marking reduces the chance of any harmful effects on the functionality, reliability, or durability of the product.

Benefits of Direct Part Marking

• Reduce program costs
• Eliminate data transposition errors
• Improve data accuracy
• Provide means to verify part configuration and status prior to installation, repair, and overhaul
• Real-time computer system update
• Reduce inventory
• Track the history and quality of parts

MIL-STD-129 Requirement Norms As Per The Dod Mil Specs

To standardize the military products, the US Department of Defence (DoD) has introduced certain DoD MIL Specs. The purpose of these DoD MIL Specs is to ensure that all defence related products are manufactured as per a common requirement standard and similar defence-related objective. They should also have proper compatibility with logistics systems.

MIL-STD-129 is one of the major standards of DoD MIL Specs meant for uniform military marking for shipment and storage. Ammunition and other military equipments that are supplied through shipments are clearly specified in the MIL-STD-129 standard. Contractors who want to supply their products are mandated to follow the instructions as per the standard for the application of numbers, labels, symbols, tags, and colors to expedite handling during shipment and storage.

As per the DoD MIL Specs, the MIL-STD-129 standard has made shipment container labelling exercise a bit more rigorous. While one set of labels is required for unit and intermediate containers, and another set is mandated for exterior containers.

The MIL-STD-129 requirements for unit, intermediate and exterior containers are discussed as follows.

For Unit Containers:

Serial Number Barcodes are assigned by the manufacturer or the Government for identification or control and only then can be listed. The serial numbers for each item in the container should be in clear barcode format.

Every minute detail about the barcodes such as National Stock Number (NSN) Barcode, quantity, part number, contract number, item description, unit of issue, date of preservation, and method of preservation code should be listed in plain text format.

As per the MIL-STD-129 standard, Shelf life markings are a must for deteriorative items. The Shelf Life Markings indicate the date an item needs to be tested or disposed of.

For Exterior Containers:

Here the basic label format is similar to that of unit containers, however as per the DoD MIL Specs, there are a few exceptions. Like the Contract Number, NSN, and CAGE Code must be in barcode format. Also item description which was there in unit containers marking is not necessary here. Besides these, certain additional labels are also required which are summarized below.

Military Shipment Label (MSL): both the DoD and contractors are mandated to address this special markings using a bar coded MSL. This label includes barcodes for the transportation control number (TCN), Piece Number and to and from Mark-For address information necessary to route shipments to defense users. A 2D-barcode that encodes all of the data on the label for automatic process is also included in this MSL.

Direct-Vendor Delivery (DVD) Label: According to the MIL-STD-129 requirement standard, vendors are required to follow this DVD shipments standard address marking with bar codes format. This DVD label includes the NSN and composite barcode, requisition TCN, Unit of Issue, Condition Code, made up of Quantity, Routing ID Code, Unit Price, and finally the Distribution Code.

Serial Number Barcode(s): As per the DoD MIL Specs, "SERIAL NUMBER LIST INSIDE" should be clearly marked on the identification-marked side of the exterior container. If more than five bar codes are there, two serial number lists shall be provided instead of a single one. The first serial number must be placed inside the container while the second one should be in the packing list.

The intermediate containers follow the same rules as that of both the unit and exterior containers.