Unique Identification is a system devised and put in place by the Department of Defense (DoD) to distinguish one object from another throughout their life cycle process. The Item Unique Identification (IUID) helps the DoD capture the value of items it buys, control these items during their use, and track counterfeiting of parts over periods of time. IUID is an indispensable part of the DoD and acts as a universal method of parts identification.

Though its IUID policy, the Department of Defense has mandated that all the qualifying items must be marked with two-dimensional Data Matrix which should be encoded with a Unique Item Identifier (UID). Additionally, the Unique Item Identifier (UII) is regarded as the universally unique and permanent for the item during its entire cycle. IUID is the key which assists DoD to locate, control and value its assets again and again. Usually, UIIs are stored in the UID Registry with pedigree data associated with the item.

What is IUID Registry?

The IUID Registry is treated as the central repository for IUID information. It helps the DoD identify the type of the item, acquisition time, preliminary value during its acquisition, existing custody (whether it belongs to the government or contractor), and the marking process and other similar concerns.

As the DoD's information systems have become progressively more web-savvy, the IUID will help with maintenance, integrating financial, accountability systems and life cycle visibility of the items that are stored within it. Aside from augmenting the quality of information available to configuration management, it will help in other important matters such as operational planning, logistics support and systems engineering. In addition, IUID Registry facilitates joint, paperless management of DoD property.

Process of Submitting Data To The IUID Registry

You must submit data to the IUID Registry if you are a contractor with Government Furnished Property, or if your contracts require IUID Registry. You must register yourself to acquire login credentials and access rights before using the Controlled Access portion of the IUID Registry. As well, you have to be a government employee or an U.S. Government Contractor with approval from the DoD Program Manager to receive login access to the IUID Registry. This means that all the government manufacturing activities and commercial manufacturers must be registered with the Central Contractor Registration (CRR) system before registration with the IUID Registry. It's a very secure system and access is only granted to specific entities.

Benefits of UID Registration:

One of the major benefits to WAWF is a reduction in the number of days it takes for contractors to receive approval and payment of invoices submitted to DoD. Use of the WAWF Receiving Report (RR) and the WAWF Combo to capture the IUID data is annotated in the enhanced Vendor guides.

Rules of UID Registration:

Purchases initiated by the DoD and executed with the help of the General Services Administration or other federal agencies shall conform to the UID policy. Logistics, Modernize acquisition and property management Automated Information Systems with UII requirements including application of the IUID Registry.