Using IUID to achieve SIM for all Army systems items will improve life-cycle systems management and help the acquisition community to get equipment and supplies to Soldiers more quickly and efficiently. Here, Soldiers don their equipment to clear an area in Arab Jabour, Iraq, Dec. 14, 2007. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Angelica Golindano.)

The Army continues implementing the Item Unique Identification (IUID) as an enabler to achieve serialized item management (SIM) for Army systems. A key component of IUID as an enabler to SIM is the assignment of a unique item identifier (UII) to each item. Much like a social security number that identifies a person throughout his or her life, a UII will identify a unique item throughout its life cycle. The UII will be leveraged through automatic information technology (AIT) to increase efficiency and reduce human errors, such as misreading information or data entry errors. The UII is entered into the DOD IUID Registry for accountability of DOD items and is encoded into a machine-readable 2-D data matrix mark attached on the item. The scanner sends the information to Army Enterprise Information Technology (IT) systems, including the Global Combat Support System-Army (GCSS-A) and Logistics Modernization Program (LMP), where the UII is associated to data for that unique item in areas such as maintenance, supply, and asset visibility.

Accessing data uniquely associated to a specific item throughout its life cycle provides a true “cradle-to-grave” data trail. Through SIM methods and access to the data trail, the Army can achieve improved total life-cycle systems management, condition-based maintenance plus, reliability-centered maintenance, and increased readiness. Through the power of information availability unique to an individual item, efficiencies in our logistics processes are the expected outcomes. This translates to more effective information management by removing the risk of human errors from the data entry process as much as possible.

UII will be leveraged through AIT to reduce human errors, such as misreading information or data entry errors. Here, SSG Christopher Robbins, Charlie Co., 1st Bn, 158th Infantry Regiment, Arizona National Guard, reads fire data at Forward Operating Base Kalagush, Nuristan Province, Afghanistan. (U.S. Army photo by SSG Isaac A. Graham.)

IUID Implementation
The Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics, and Technology (ASAALT) issued two policy memorandums to implement the DOD policy for IUID — the first on Dec. 22, 2004, and the second on April 2, 2007. As a result, program managers (PMs) have submitted their IUID Implementation Plans to ASAALT. These plans serve as the PMs’ execution road maps, including the resources required to execute and the anticipated challenges. The PM IUID Implementation Plans require updates at least annually, and many plans are in the update process. In addition to its policy memos, ASAALT issued Principal Assistant Responsible for Contracting Policy Alert 08-12 on Jan. 16, 2008, which requires contracting officers to include Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252.211-7003 in all solicitations and contracts for supplies. Incorporation of this clause will implement IUID for new acquisition items. ASAALT is required to report compliance with this DFARS clause semiannually to DOD. The policy alert also requires all contracting personnel to complete the Defense Acquisition University Continuous Learning Course 033, “Contract Format and Structure for the DOD e-Business Environment.” More information on IUID DOD guidance and policy can be found at http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/pdi/uid/index.html.

To facilitate Army IUID planning and execution, an Army integrated process team (IPT) has been established to focus on the Army IUID strategy, guide implementation, and develop standard Army IUID business practices. The IPT, co-chaired by ASAALT and the Army G-4, is developing an Army IUID strategy focused on enabling SIM. The strategy has been staffed to IPT members for comment and will be given Armywide staffing when all comments have been reviewed and requisite updates are made to the draft strategy. Concurrently, Army G-4 is developing an Army SIM plan to tie together all of the pieces, such as IUID, AIT, and Enterprise IT systems, to achieve the full power of SIM. The IPT will also be used to leverage Army stakeholders in addressing challenges, such as developing and integrating the Enterprise IT systems to use IUID; communicating data across various Army legacy IT systems; developing Soldier/user interface requirements; and developing metrics to measure progress on implementation, funding, and DFARS clause compliance.

Depicted here is the IUID process, which enables the Army to achieve SIM, visibility, and accountability of Army systems. (Click image to view PDF.)

As the Army continues to move forward with implementing IUID, it is important that PMs refine their estimates for IUID funding. Requirements must be identified not only in their IUID Implementation Plans, but also as part of the planning, programming, budgeting, and execution system process. By identifying the full spectrum of approaches to executing their IUID Implementation Plans, paired with complete resource planning, PMs can more effectively move their programs forward in achieving Army objectives for IUID and SIM.