Last September, I shared a series of important references on the issue of counterfeit parts in a blog post entitled “Counterfeit Parts Awareness.”  As a follow-up, wanted to let regular readers of this blog know -- in case you were not already aware -- that on April 26, 2013, the Department of Defense issued a new DoD Instruction 4140.67 DoD Counterfeit Prevention Policy. This new instruction officially:

·         Establishes policy and assigns responsibilities necessary to prevent the introduction of counterfeit materiel at any level of the DoD supply chain, including special requirements prescribed by Public Law 112-81 (FY12 NDAA), Section 818 Detection and Avoidance of Counterfeit Electronic Parts

·         Provides direction for anti-counterfeit measures for DoD weapon and information systems acquisition and sustainment to prevent the introduction of counterfeit materiel.

·         Assigns responsibilities for prevention, detection, remediation, investigation, and restitution to defend the DoD against counterfeit materiel that poses a threat to personnel safety and mission assurance.

·         Incorporates and cancels Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics Memorandum, “Overarching DoD Counterfeit Prevention Guidance,” March 16, 2012.

Highly encourage all DoD Product Support Managers (PSM) and life cycle logisticians to take a few minutes to read and familiarize themselves with this updated DoD policy related to this important issue. If you have not already done so, would also encourage you to avail yourselves of two training opportunities on this topic available from DAU, namely our CLL 062 Counterfeit Prevention Awareness and our CLL 032 Preventing Counterfeit Electronic Parts from Entering the DoD Supply System web-based continuous learning modules.