Item UniqueIdentification or IUID is a new method for marking and identifying militaryassets as per the Department of Defense (DoD) mandate. By assigning a uniqueidentifier, the tangible items can be distinguished from one another. This newasset identifying marking method is more efficient and last the entire lifecycle of items starting from acquisition to disposition stage. This latestmarking method holds 100times more info about a product than conventional barcodes. IUID has also been encompassed by International Military Standards.
Objective of IUID
Each tangibleitem is assigned with a unique identifier only once remain same even if theitem is modified. IUID marking is nothing but an encoded form of machine-readablesymbologies. IUID system facilitates the DoD to achieve total asset visibilitythrough improvised readiness, accountability and life cycle item management.The DoD can capture the value of all defense items purchase thus counterfeitingof items will be stopped. It can also control the item usage. In this way logistics,contracting and financial transactions can be improvised. Warfighters will alsobe supported better through the streamline DoD supply.
Requirement for IUID System
IUID is amust for all items issued on or after 1 January 2004 where
Unit acquisition cost is $5,000 or more
If the item is serially managed, is mission essential or is a controlled inventory
If the item is designated by the Program office for permanent identification
Regardless of value, If the item is a DoD serially managed embedded item
As per thenew procurement rule issued on June 21, 2005, Info about time and materialcontracts, supply contracts info including DFARS Clause 252.211-7003 andmultiple award contract program info such as GSA, NIH, VA etc. are required forthe IUID identification. The DoD plans to complete the IUID marking on alltangible items by 31 December 2010.
Marking of IUID
Data MatrixECC200 is the required marking part of IUID system. It usually has two parts,namely construct#1, and construct #2. While construct #1 carries the CAGE CODEand serial number of an item, construct #2 the original part number andenterprise identifier besides the serial number. The structure of encoding isof International standards which enables consistent reading capability.However, this encoded marking can only be read through specific reader orscanner and hence they are secure. Usually the reading devices are programmedto concatenate the encoding elements.
Some of thekey standards that are implemented in IUID marking methods are highlighted asfollows.
MIL-STD-130
ISO 15434
ISO 15418
ISO 15415
ISO 16022
IAQG 9132
Benefits of IUID
Improve operational productivity
Easy operational equipment availability
Reduce asset management costs
Improvise item acquisition, deployment and repair standard
In-transit visibility is possible
Facilitate clean financial audits
It might bepointed out that, even though the IUID implementation was originally devised bythe DoD, but data submission process is still completed at the IUID registry.Contractors can submit data through UDF, XML or through the latest web entrymethod.
