Supply Chain

The Pentagon recently issued a new instruction laying out its supply chain materiel management policy. According to the Dec. 14 memo:

a. DoD materiel management shall operate as a high-performing and agile supply chain responsive to customer requirements during peacetime and war while balancing risk and total cost. The DoD supply chain shall provide best-value materiel and services in support of rapid power projection and operational sustainment of U.S. forces as required by the National Military Strategy. Potential disruptions within and outside the DoD supply chain shall be identified, monitored, and assessed in order to mitigate risk to supply chain operations. Life-cycle management controls shall be applied to guard against counterfeit materiel in the DoD supply chain. Energy efficient products or services shall have preference in all procurements, except those products or services procured for combat or combat-related missions.

b. Resourcing for all elements of the DoD supply chain shall be optimized through collaboration between support providers and customers. DoD investment shall be sufficient throughout the life cycle of new or existing weapons systems, equipment, and major end items to respond to warfighter needs. Performance and cost evaluations of supply chain operations and inventory shall be conducted periodically with the objective of ensuring that assets are available for use or reuse in the DoD supply chain to satisfy customer requirements.

c. Accountability, control, and DoD-wide visibility of materiel shall be maintained throughout the DoD supply chain, with the required level of physical protection and identification of the materiel at minimal cost. However, the highest levels of accountability, control, visibility, protection, and identification shall apply to the stewardship of controlled inventory items (CII) including nuclear weapons-related materiel (NWRM) commensurate with the risk of materiel release. All materiel recurrently used, bought, stocked, or distributed, including NWRM, shall be cataloged with an accountable record.