As a public service for our DOD product support managers and life cycle logistics workforce members in recent years, I’ve periodically written articles for this DAU LOG Blog comparing, contrasting, and differentiating between key terms in the product support lexicon. Past posts have included:

• CLS, ICS and PBL - A Study in Contrasts (7 Aug 2013)
• O&M, O&S and O&S - A Study in Contrasts (30 Aug 2013)
• Product Support Manager and Product Support Management - A Study in Contrasts (6 Sep 2013)
• Product Support and Sustainment - A Study in Contrasts (18 Nov 2013)
• Specifications and Standards - A Study in Contrasts (2 Dec 2013)
• Sustainment and Sustainability - A Study in Contrasts (16 Jan 14)
• Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) and Integrated Product Support (IPS) - A Study in Contrasts (12 Feb 14)
• Life Cycle Costs (LCC) and Total Ownership Costs (TOC) - A Study in Contrasts (14 Mar 2014)
• Core and the 50-50 Rule – A Study in Contrasts (4 Sep 2018)

Today’s post is the tenth in this occasional series; it examines two similar terms (obsolescence and DMSMS) that are often – but incorrectly – used interchangeably.

• Obsolescence. A lack of availability of an item or raw material resulting from statutory and process changes, as well as new designs. Obsolescence deals with the process or condition by which a piece of equipment becomes no longer useful, or a form and function no longer current or available for production or repair. Implementation of new technology causes older technology to become less supportable because of the diminished availability of parts and suppliers. Mitigation practices include reviewing proposed parts lists for obsolescence and being proactive in the engineering design process prior to production. (Source: SD-22 DoD DMSMS Guidebook and DAU Glossary of Acquisition Acronyms & Terms). Obsolescence means a part is unavailable due to its lack of usefulness or it is no longer current or available for production. (Source: Government Accountability Office (GAO))

• Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS). The loss, or impending loss, of manufacturers of items or suppliers of items or of raw materials. This can be caused by many factors including new or evolving science, detection limits, toxicity values, and regulations related to chemicals and materials resulting in significant impact on the DoD’s supply chain and Industrial Base (IB). This situation may cause shortages that endanger the life-cycle support and capability of the weapon system or equipment or that cause shortages that may endanger an ongoing production capability and/or the life-cycle support of a weapon system or any training, support, or test equipment already in the field. Ultimately, DMSMS issues affect materiel readiness and operational availability, which, in turn, affect both combat operations and safety. This situation also may cause shortages that endanger the life-cycle support and capability of the weapon system or equipment. (Source: SD-22 DoD DMSMS Guidebook and DAU Glossary of Acquisition Acronyms and Terms). Diminishing manufacturing sources is a loss or impending loss of manufacturers or suppliers. (Source: Government Accountability Office (GAO))