Step 1. Develop Implementation Plan

The Force™, Inc. offers the development of a Unique Identification (UID) Implementation Plan. The objective is to lay the foundations for an organization's implementation strategy that is in full compliance with the DoD UID policy. The effort includes a site visit by representatives of The Force™, Inc. and the follow-on delivery of a Report of Findings and Recommendations. The Force™ believes that to develop a technically defensible Implementation Plan, an organization should employ a dedicated Working Group to review the organization’s current processes. Working Group planning should include, but not be limited to, the following:

• Existing On-going Contracts
• New Solicitations
• Mission Essential Issues
• Property in the Possession of Contractors (PIPC)
• Existing Legacy Property Items
• Serialized Assets
• Trigger Events
• Depot Maintenance
• Document Management
• Construct 1 or 2
• Automatic Information Technology (AIT)
• Automated Information Systems (AIS)
• Performance Based Logistics
• Budgeting
• Manufacturing Products

Step 2: Determine Parts to Mark

An organization must first decide what type of approach they desire to take for UID implementation (e.g. just comply with policy or a total life cycle management approach). A facilitated Working Group of organizational experts is optimal to ensure total program visibility. The group is charged with establishing the criteria for UID qualification. Once criteria are established, parts marking candidates can be determined.

Utilizing a property book, Repair Parts and Tools List (RPSTL), or other medium to identify an organization’s assets, the set criteria queries will be performed on current information systems to categorize parts marking candidates.

Equipment Selection Given the candidates of items to be marked, a parts marking equipment specialist will assist in determining the most appropriate marking equipment or outsourcing alternatives for the organization. The Force™’s goal is NOT to sale equipment but to ensure only the equipment needed is the equipment procured.

Once the equipment is procured, the U²ID Selector^® can be programmed according to the equipment limitations.

Step 3: U²ID Selector^®

The U²ID Selector^® is a tool that offers a robust method to quickly and easily identify a technically appropriate and cost effective marking technique for each part considered. Employing Reliability Centered Maintenance (RCM) principles, a team of equipment experts, guided by a trained facilitator, utilizes the software application to make parts marking decisions. This ensures that the people who are sensitive to the hazards of the equipment in its operating environment, as well as the technical approving authorities, participate in the decision process. Furthermore, the software application is tailored specifically to each organization’s needs.

Key Functions of U²ID Selector^® include:

• Storing part data and a digital image
• Determining the most technically appropriate and cost effective marking technique
• Identifying location on the part to place to mark
• Identifying the best opportunity to mark the park
• Providing an audit trail
• Generating Parts Marking Instructions

Click here for more info on the U²ID Selector^®

Step 4: Validation Process

The decisions made by the working group are all maintained within the U²ID Selector^®. The decisions are presented to approval authorities via an Audit Package. The approving authorities carefully review the working group's decisions. Upon concurrence, the decisions are formulated into parts marking instructions.

Issue Marking Instructions:
Upon final approval, parts marking instructions are prepared for distribution. The procedures have a control number particular to that part number. Therefore, a part number is provided along with any other part numbers that may be seen in the field, a general safety guidance reference number, part marking method determined, where the mark is to be physically placed on the part, and any special instructions necessary. A picture is also provided for visual reference.

Step 5: Mark Parts and Transmit Registration

The U²ID Selector^® provides Field Procedures that presents the information needed to ensure machinists mark the part with the approved marking method. The information provided on the procedures ensures compliance with approval authority, consistency of marking location, machine programming accuracy, etc.

A general document is provided to cover safety and environmental issues. The document is referenced in every parts marking procedure.

Transmit Registration:
While utilizing the software to mark the part, information is forwarded to the Registry with no additional action from the organization needed.