These are answers to some frequently asked questions. Answers about more specific topics are available in our Compliance Library and the Knowledge Base located in our Customer Center (available to registered users). You may also contact us for technical assistance. Note: We are continually adding articles to our Knowledge Base. If you would like to assist us by suggesting an article, please click here to send us a note.
Mil-Std Labeling
Please refer to Mil-Std 129R specifies the rules around direct use of Exterior Containers. These paragraphs indicate that when the Unit Container serves as the Exterior Container, Exterior Container marking will apply. This also applies to RFID marking. Learn more in the Mil-Pac Compliance Library.
DCMA Packaging Specialists can be a resource to gain official government guidance. Their contact information is on the Resources page.
Mil-Pac software does not print the item description on exterior container formats to maintain compliance with Mil-Std-129P:
4.1.2. Identification marking information on exterior containers and unpacked items (see Figure 1). Unless specifically exempted in the contract or solicitation, the following minimum identification information shall be marked on all exterior containers and unpacked items, in the order listed.
4.1.2.d. Item description or nomenclature (for hazardous items and ammunition and explosives only (see 4.1.1d)).
It is possible to include the Noun on the printed label by placing it in the Additional Info field, or by using HazMat version of the label
The two-dimensional (PDF417) symbol, introduced in Revision P, Change Notice 4, is required when UIDs are shipped. It can be used on other shipments as well, serving to replace the five to ten linear barcodes possible on a container.
4.4 Identification linear (Code 39) and 2D (PDF417) bar code markings … For shipments of UII items, the 2D (PDF417) symbol shall be used for listing the concatenated UIIs (DI 25S) and the data normally included in the linear (Code 39) identification bar codes (see 4.4.2.3 and 4.4.3.3.1). Application of the linear bar codes is not required when the 2D (PDF417) identification symbol is used. For shipments of other than UII items, use of the 2D (PDF417) symbol for identification marking is optional.
No. These linear barcodes were made part of the two-dimensional PDF417 symbol. This method was formally recognized as preferred in Mil-Std-129 Revision R.
The diagrams in Mil-Std 129 are intended only to be illustrations of the requirements and are not of themselves the requirements. For instance, look at paragraph 4.1 on page 21 (pdf page 39) immediately above Figure 1, which states:
“The exact placement of identification and bar code markings on specific containers may vary in configuration and format from those shown in the figures.”
DCMA Packaging Specialists are excellent resources for guidance on specific Mil-Std 129 requirements. Contact information for these specialists are on the Resources page.
The Unique Identifier (UID) is a permanent marking applied directly to an item. Radio-Frequency (RF) ID is another means of identifying a box, pallet or other container. RFIDs are associated with UIDs only as long as the marked item is in the RFID-tagged container. Each UID in a RFID-tagged container must be identified and this data submitted to Wide-Area Workflow (WAWF). More information on UID and RFID can be obtained from the respective program management office (PMO) links found on the Resources page.
With Change Notice 4 to Mil-Std-129, UIDs must also be identified on the unit, intermediate and exterior containers in a 2D PDF417 symbol, which is different than the 2D DataMatrix symbol used for the UID itself.
Sheet labels can be purchased online or at a local office supply store. Here are the style numbers for the most common sheet labels:
| Stock ID | Avery Laser | Avery Inkjet | Uline |
| 2×4 Laser | 5163 | 8163 | S-3845 |
| 3×4 Laser | 5164 | 8164 | S-10435 |
| 6×4 Laser | 5126 | 8126 | S-5044 |
| 6×4 Legal (4-up) | S-5492 | ||
| 1.75×0.75 | 5167 |
Yes, Mil-Std-130 compliant UID Permanent Part Mark labels can be printed from MIL-Comply Labeling. You will need a thermal transfer label printer stocked with a special polyester label stock and resin ribbon used to create a permanent bond to the label. Speak with the supplier where you currently purchase you label supplies for more information and availability of polyester label stock and resin ribbon.
Government Furnished Property (GFP )
“Wide-Area Workflow (WAWF) provides for electronic preparation and documentation of acceptance of supplies and services, and electronic invoicing.” [DFARS App F] The term Receiving Report (RR) refers to the acceptance process, transaction and printed form, which is often a DD250.
The Reparable Receiving Report (RRR) refers to the equivalent acceptance process for Government-furnished property (GFP). Specifically, the “WAWF RRR is the electronic equivalent of the DD250 for repair, maintenance, or overhaul of Government-furnished property.” [DFARS App F]
There is a critical difference between the two transactions. UIDs that are accepted on Receiving Reports are treated as new items and added to the UID Registry. By contrast, the RRR transfers custody of existing UID items from a contractor performing service on them to the Government entity to which the items are shipped.
The UID of a GFP item must a) be present in the UID Registry, and b), be in the custody of a contractor as granted by the UID Registry.
Contractors must successfully acknowledge custody of GFP UIDs prior to submission of a RRR to WAWF. This may be done in the UID Registry application of the PIEE website or through use of a software like the MIL-Comply UID Registry Expeditor. A WAWF login and special role is not required for the latter method.
UIDs may be added to the UID Registry while a contractor is acknowledging custody of such items under an applicable GFP repair, maintenance, or overhaul contract.
Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID)
The following are excluded from the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this clause: (ii) Shipments to locations other than Defense Distribution Depots when the contract includes the clause at FAR 52.213-1, Fast Payment Procedures.
RFID data input to WAWF is not a condition of acceptance of shipments. However, RFID must be present in WAWF at the time shipments arrive at the depot, in order to facilitate the receipt of the shipment. Consistent failure in this regard may result in increased surveillance on the contractors shipping process. RFID may be applied to shipments after acceptance by the government and uploaded to WAWF after the shipment takes place. This is borne out by the following instructions on the WAWF web site:
In order to expedite receipt and vendor payment, contractors should generate the Advance Shipment Notice within 2 days of shipping the material. Material items received with RFID tag information prior to an Advance Shipment Notice will be subject to receive a Supply Discrepancy Report(SDR).
WAWF Web Site (25 Jul 2008)
This problem applies most critically to UID-marked items because their quantity, as indicated by RFID tags, must match the CLIN quantity. Each box must be marked by an RFID tag, but this throws the CLIN count off.
WAWF handles this through use of a Multi-Box Indicator (MBI), which identifies one of the containers as the item, and the remainder of them to be ignored. MIL-Comply automatically recognizes this condition and designates one of the containers to be the one counted, and the remainder to be ignored.
EDI and VANs
Value-Added Networks are electronic post offices for routing electronic transactions between business systems. They are much like a specialized email systems, sending electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions instead of email.
The DOD uses EDI to distribute purchase orders, logistics information, etc, and to route receiving reports and invoices to Wide-Area Workflow (WAWF). Some government systems require a VAN, but most, like WAWF and DIBBS, provide other means of performing the same function. However, EDI-based transactions are one of the most efficient means of communicating large amounts of data, such as that related to UID and RFID compliance. More information on the Mil-Pac VAN is available on the VAN product page.
Using EDI (X12-850) purchase orders from DIBBS can eliminate 95% of data-entry required for labeling and WAWF transactions. See the MIL-Comply DIBBS Solution for more information.
To begin the flow of DIBBS contract data to Mil-Pac software, contact Mr. Shawn Schartiger, 614.692.1057, Shawn.Schartiger@dla.mil. You will need to provide the following information. CAGE code: Your Company Name: ISA qualifier: ISA ID: GS ID: VAN: Mil-Pac Technology This information is provided to you in the Mil-Pac Technology VAN setup email.
Find out more about receiving eMall orders in EDI form from your eMall Supplier Account Manager (SAM). If you don’t know who that is, you can contact the eMall help desk directly at emall.vendors@dla.mil or 1-877-DLA-CALL / 1-877-352-2255.