A Detailed Analysis of IUID Marking

Overview

Item Unique Identification or IUID is a new method for marking and identifying military assets as per the Department of Defense (DoD) mandate. By assigning a unique identifier, the tangible items can be distinguished from one another. This new asset identifying marking method is more efficient and last the entire life cycle of items starting from acquisition to disposition stage. This latest marking method holds 100times more info about a product than conventional bar codes. IUID has also been encompassed by International Military Standards.

Objective of IUID

Each tangible item is assigned with a unique identifier only once remain same even if the item is modified. IUID marking is nothing but an encoded form of machine-readable symbologies. IUID system facilitates the DoD to achieve total asset visibility through improvised readiness, accountability and life cycle item management. The DoD can capture the value of all defense items purchase thus counterfeiting of items will be stopped. It can also control the item usage. In this way logistics, contracting and financial transactions can be improvised. Warfighters will also be supported better through the streamline DoD supply.

Requirement for IUID System

IUID is a must 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 the new procurement rule issued on June 21, 2005, Info about time and material contracts, supply contracts info including DFARS Clause 252.211-7003 and multiple award contract program info such as GSA, NIH, VA etc. are required for the IUID identification. The DoD plans to complete the IUID marking on all tangible items by 31 December 2010.

Marking of IUID

Data Matrix ECC200 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 CODE and serial number of an item, construct #2 the original part number and enterprise identifier besides the serial number. The structure of encoding is of International standards which enables consistent reading capability. However, this encoded marking can only be read through specific reader or scanner and hence they are secure. Usually the reading devices are programmed to concatenate the encoding elements.

Some of the key standards that are implemented in IUID marking methods are highlighted as follows.

• 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 be pointed out that, even though the IUID implementation was originally devised by the DoD, but data submission process is still completed at the IUID registry. Contractors can submit data through UDF, XML or through the latest web entry method.