DOD Supply Chain Integration with RFID

DoD RFID Background: Early experience with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) began when the Army installed active, data rich RFID technology at selected sites around the world to track containers through the logistics pipeline and to provide stand-off visibility of container contents. Fixed interrogators installed at key nodes read RFID tags attached to pallets or containers and provided data to a regional server prior to passing the data to the global asset visibility systems. During our latest operation in Iraq, the use of active, data rich RFID tags was mandated for all materiel entering the theater.

Concurrently, efforts were underway to make it possible for computers to identify any object anywhere in the world instantly utilizing passive RFID technology. The key was to create a universal, open standard for identifying products and sharing information. Part of that work was to develop the Electronic Product Code (EPC) - a unique number that identifies a specific item in the supply chain. EPCglobal, Inc., formed on November 1, 2003 will administer the electronic product codes and develop EPC standards for RFID technology going forward. EPCglobal, Inc. is a joint venture between EAN International and the Uniform Code Council (UCC), Inc., For more on EPCglobal, go to www.epcglobalinc.org.

To take maximum advantage of the inherent life-cycle asset management efficiencies that can be realized with RFID, the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics issued policy 1) directing the use of high data capacity RFID used in the DoD operational environment and 2) requiring that suppliers put passive RFID tags on the lowest possible piece part/case/pallet packaging by January 2005. In this regard, DoD is leveraging Electronic Product Code (EPC) and compatible RFID tags. See: Memorandum, USD (AT&L), Subject: Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Policy, October 2, 2003. The Assistant Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, Supply Chain Integration has taken the lead to facilitate the implementation of the RFID policy.