IUID_Overview_Script_FINAL.docxApril 18, 2014

[Introduction]

Welcome to Item Unique Identification, or IUID, Overview. During this 7 minute video we will cover IUID requirements at a high level.Important details and benefits will be covered in other videos. Resources for additional information and detailswill be provided at the end of this video.

[Policy]

IUID is required for all newDepartment of Defense (DoD) acquisitions; items the government already owns, also known as legacy items; and government furnished property, or GFP, meeting any one of the following criteria:

  • the item has a line item acquisition cost in its contract of $5,000 or more
  • the item is or will be serially managed by the DoD
  • the item is or will be controlled or mission essential
  • permanent identification is or will bewanted for any other reason

For embedded items, the only criteria are whether the item will be DoD serially managed or if permanent identification will be needed or desired for any other reason. Embedded items are parts or components delivered under contract without their own line item specifying their explicit cost.

For new acquisitions, the government must include DFARSclause 252.211-7003 in the contract, along with a list of items requiring IUID.

Items requiring IUID must be assigned a globally unique, permanent unique item identifier, or UII, and the UII must beregistered, along with other item identifying information, in the DoD IUID Registry.

[What it looks like]

The UII data is encoded into a data matrix and applied to the item. These barcodes are popular in many industries because of their robust features, including high data capacity, error correction, size scalability, and various marking methods. The IUID data matrix can be applied to anitem using a variety of methods, ranging from adhesive labels, to laser marking, to thermal spray.

IUID data matrices must be Military Standard 130compliant and survive the normal life of the item, or at least until the next maintenance, refurbishment, or overhaul event.

[Who marks it]

The item manager is responsible for ensuring items under their cognizance are marked. When contracts contain DFARS 252.211-7003, the prime contractor is responsible for delivering designated items within the contract with IUID-compliant marks. In all other cases the item manager is responsible for assigning marking responsibility and providing the necessary resources.

[Permanent]

One of the two critical characteristics of IUID is the permanency of the UII assigned to the item. Once assigned to an item, the UII shall never, ever change. Whether an item is modified, resulting in a new part number; or sent to Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)Disposition Services; or rebuilt at a depot; or expended or consumed in use, the UII for the item remains constant and associated to the item, never to be used for any other item.

[Unique]

The other critical characteristic is the uniqueness of the UII. The DoD recognizes five commercially used unique identifiers as IUID equivalents: the vehicle identification number, or VIN; the mobile equipment identifier, or MEID; the electronic serial number, or ESN;the Global Individual Asset Identifier, or GIAI; and the Global Returnable Asset Identifier, or GRAI. These IUID equivalents may be used in lieu of assigning a new UII.

If no UII or IUID equivalent is already assigned, a UII can bebuiltfrom one of two constructs. A construct one UII is made by connecting 3 pieces of data: A code designating what kind of enterprise isensuring the uniqueness of the UII, an identifier for that enterprise, and finally a serial number the enterprise has uniquely assigned to that item. A construct two UII is made by connecting 4 pieces of data: a code designating what kind of enterprise is ensuring the uniqueness of the UII, an identifier for that enterprise, the original part number of the item, and finally the serial number uniquely assigned to that item within the part number.These data elementsprovide the foundation for a globally unique item identifier.

[IUID Registry]

Items must be initially registered when the UII is assigned and the records updated when certain lifecycle events occur. The IUID Registry manages the uniqueness of UIIs. Once a UII has been registered in the IUID Registry, any subsequent attempt to register the same UII is rejected by the IUID Registry.

When a UII is registered additional item identification is also submitted. The specific item information required varies depending on the type of item, such as whether the item is new acquisition, a legacy end item, or GFP.

[Wrap-up]

IUID implementation provides an opportunity to re-evaluate and improve existing processes, reconcile errors in information systems, and improve data capture and accuracy. Some common processes where benefits are often realized are inventory management, shipping and receiving, and item check in/check out. The real value of IUID comes from the thoughtful planning of IUID implementation and the improvements resulting from the execution of the plan.

[Where to Find More Info]

Additional IUID information can be found on these websites. The IUID helpdesk is also available to answer questions.

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