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The Defense Standardization Knowledge Sharing Portal (DSKSP) was developed by the Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO) to engage with standardization stakeholders and to share experiences, tools, lessons learned, and ways of addressing standardization management matters within DoD. Additionally, this community of practice was created to provide information about the Defense Standardization Program (DSP). The DSP exists to identify, influence, develop, manage, and provide access to standardization processes, products, and services for warfighters, the acquisition community, and the logistics community to promote interoperability, reduce total ownership costs, and sustain readiness.
The following Defense Acquisition University (DAU) training courses are sponsored by the Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO) to provide educational and continuous learning opportunities to DoD personnel and defense contractors, to name a few:
Market Research for Engineering and Technical Personnel, an Online Training (OLT) course, describes market research from the perspective of technical personnel. It explains the practical value and discusses the government mandate to conduct market research. The course addresses market research team membership, sources for obtaining market data, and techniques for technical evaluation and documentation of market information.
The goal of this online training (OLT) course is to explore the role of effective standardization in defense acquisition and its contribution to program success. It introduces you to standardization and its application across phases of the acquisition life cycle, discusses standardization policy in the DoD and addresses the management and use of standardization documents. The course is designed for professionals involved in the development or management of standardization documents.
The goal of this online training (OLT) course is to provide the student with knowledge of the standardization documents managed within the Department of Defense (DoD). This course covers technical details of the specific purpose of each type of document; how to distinguish each type of document based on the document identifier; general rules for stating requirements in standardization documents; policy regarding the adoption and use of Non-Government Standards; and format and content requirements for Commercial Item Descriptions, Defense Specifications, Defense Standards, and Defense Handbooks. This course also provides an introduction to Federal Standards, Federal Specifications, and Guide Specifications.
This module provides a comprehensive overview of parts management, including policy and contractual implementation requirements, costs and benefits, the parts management plan, participant responsibilities, and tools.
This Course Has Been Retired and Replaced by LOG 0630 on 08-APR-2021.
The Defense Standardization Workshop covers DoD policies and procedures for the development, management, and use of nongovernment standards, commercial item descriptions, and specifications and standards. Group practical exercises tailored to the customer’s organization emphasize the application of standardization tools, policies, and procedures described in CLE 028 Market Research for Technical Personnel, CLE 064 Standardization in the Acquisition Lifecycle, and CLE 065 Standardization Documents."
Upon completion, the participant will be able to apply the following critical behaviors in the workplace:
Determine when specifications, standards and policy initiatives need to be used.
Evaluate when Performance Specifications should be used.
Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Conferences The DSP Conference is a bi-annual event that brings stakeholders together from all over the world to share information, engage in interactive panels and network with like-minded professionals across the standardization community. The 2024 DSP Conference will take place on August 5-8, 2024 in Tysons, VA.
Defense Standardization Program Office Webinars Parts and Material Management Proven Processes This monthly series provides a cross-functional forum for promoting, shaping, and coordinating government and industry approaches to effective DMSMS and parts management. The series leverages subject matter experts to increase your knowledge, awareness and ability to support your program effectively. Upcoming events are listed below. Please visit DAU for a listing of previous events and recordings in the DMSMS and Parts Management Series
1. Obsolescence Strategy vs Action - Who Has Time to Think?, January 18, 2024 [Recording] 2. Stop Acting Surprised - Program and Budget for DMSMS!, February 15, 2024 [Register] 3. Begin with the End in Mind—Technology Management, March 21, 2024[Register]
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) The following courses are designed to introduce attendees to standardization and to prepare them to represent the United States at NATO Working Groups.
ANSI Training Courses & Webinars ANSI offers an array of training courses on various aspects of the standardization system. Newcomers will benefit from an introduction to the system and the value of getting involved. Those looking to expand their standards knowledge and careers will discover new options for engagement. And seasoned professionals can pick up techniques to maximize the impact of their participation.
Each program is supported by an extensive infrastructure of staff and experts. This team will work to ensure that you walk away with a thorough understanding of the topic and an action plan for success.
This issuance applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this issuance as the “DoD Components”).
This issuance applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this issuance as the “DoD Components”).
a. This issuance applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this issuance as the “DoD Components”).
b. Nothing in this issuance should be construed as preventing the Inspector General of the Department of Defense from fulfilling his or her duties pursuant to Title 5, U.S.C., Appendix, also known and referred to as “the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.”
This manual applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this manual as the “DoD Components”).
This Circular establishes policies to improve the internal management of the Executive Branch with respect to the U.S. Government’s role in the development and use of standards and conformity assessment. Consistent with section 12(d) of P.L. 104-113, the “National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995,” as amended (hereinafter “the NTTAA”), and U.S. Government executive orders, this Circular directs agencies to use standards developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies rather than government-unique standards, except where inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. The policies in this Circular are intended to facilitate agencies’ compliance with obligations under U.S. trade statutes and trade agreements. U.S. Federal law (19 U.S.C. § 2532) specifically prohibits any U.S. Government agency from engaging in standards-related activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States.
This Circular provides guidance for agencies participating in the work of voluntary consensus standards bodies and describes procedures for satisfying the reporting requirements of the NTTAA. The policies in this Circular are intended to minimize the reliance by agencies on governmentunique standards. The Circular also provides policy guidance to agencies on the use of conformity assessment in procurement, regulatory, and program activities. This Circular replaces Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-119, dated February 10, 1998.
(a) The Secretary of Defense shall develop a single catalog system and related program of standardizing supplies for the Department of Defense.
(b) In cataloging, the Secretary shall name, describe, classify, and number each item recurrently used, bought, stocked, or distributed by the Department of Defense, so that only one distinctive combination of letters or numerals, or both, identifies the same item throughout the Department of Defense. Only one identification may be used for each item for all supply functions from purchase to final disposal in the field or other area. The catalog may consist of a number of volumes, sections, or supplements. It shall include all items of supply and, for each item, information needed for supply operations, such as descriptive and performance data, size, weight, cubage, packaging and packing data, a standard quantitative unit of measurement, and other related data that the Secretary determines to be desirable.
(c) In standardizing supplies the Secretary shall, to the highest degree practicable—
Standardize items used throughout the Department of Defense by developing and using single specifications, eliminating overlapping and duplicate specifications, and reducing the number of sizes and kinds of items that are generally similar;
Standardize the methods of packing, packaging, and preserving such items; and
Make efficient use of the services and facilities for inspecting, testing, and accepting such items.
(d) The Secretary shall coordinate with the Administrator of General Services to enable the use of commercial identifiers for commercial products (as defined in section 103 of title 41) within the Federal cataloging system.
United States Standards Strategy (USSS)serves as a statement of purpose and ideals resulting from a reexamination of the principles and strategy that guide how the United States develops standards and participates in the international standards-setting process. It provides a vision for the future of the U.S. standards system to support U.S. competitiveness, innovation, health and safety, and global trade.
Section 875 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2017 states that, in general, military specifications shall be used in procurements only to define an exact design solution when there is no acceptable commercial or non-Government standard or when the use of a commercial non-Government standard is not cost effective. It further established a requirement for programs to obtain a waiver for the use of military specifications by either the appropriate Milestone Decision Authority, the appropriate Service Acquisition Executive, or the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.
The creation and maintenance of military specifications is overseen by the Defense Standardization Council (DS), in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 4120, "Defense Standardization Program (DSP)," and the associated DoD Manual 4120.24, "Defense Standardization Program Procedures," which implements section 12(d) of Public Law 104-113, "The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995;" the Federal Acquisition Regulation, paragraph 11.101(b); and Office of Management Budget Circular A-119. The DSP has significantly reduced our reliance on military specifications. Military specifications that have been deemed necessary by the DSC are entered into the ASSIST database, the official source of DoD standardization documents made available to our acquisition community.
The large number of products used by federal agencies requires some standardization, commercial item descriptions, and other basic terms and conditions. The Federal Standardization Manual (2020) [PDF - 1 MB] provides guidance for users to ensure consistency and relevance of product information.
a. Reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 2010.6 (Reference (a)) as a DoD Instruction (DoDI) in accordance with the authority in DoDD 5134.01 (Reference (b)) to establish policies and procedures for materiel interoperability and standardization with allies and coalition partners pursuant to section 2457 of title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.) (Reference (c)).
b. In accordance with DoDD 5000.01 and DoDI 5000.02, (References (d) and (e)) provides DoD procedures and responsibilities for materiel interoperability and standardization with allies and coalition partners, and describes the role of Reciprocal Defense Procurement Memorandums of Understanding (RDP MOUs) in promoting interoperability.
This standard establishes the format and content requirements for the preparation of defense specifications and program-unique specifications prepared either by DoD activities or by contractors for the DoD. It also covers the format and content requirements for specification sheets, supplements, revisions, amendments, and notices.
This standard establishes the format and content requirements for the preparation of handbooks prepared either by DoD activities or by contractors for the DoD.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system. Founded in 1918, the Institute works in close collaboration with stakeholders from industry and government to identify and develop standards- and conformance-based solutions to national and global priorities.
ASSIST is a robust, comprehensive web site used by standardization management activities to develop, coordinate, distribute, and manage defense and federal specifications and standards, military handbooks, commercial item descriptions, data item descriptions, and related technical documents prepared in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Defense Standardization Program (DSP). Besides DoD-prepared documents, ASSIST also has selected international standardization agreements, such as NATO standards ratified by the United States and International Test Operating Procedures.
The Defense Standardization Program is a comprehensive, integrated standardization program linking DoD acquisition, operational, sustainment, and related military and civil communities.
The Defense Standardization Program Journal (ISSN 0897-2045) is published four times a year by the Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO). Opinions represented here are those of the authors and may not represent official policy of the U.S. Department of Defense. Letters, articles, news items, photographs, and other submissions for the DSP Journal are welcomed and encouraged.
GIDEP is a cooperative activity between government and industry participants seeking to reduce or eliminate expenditures of resources by sharing technical information essential during research, design, development, production and operational phases of the life cycle of systems, facilities and equipment. Since GIDEP's inception, participants have reported over $2.1 billion in prevention of unplanned expenditures. That means without GIDEP, participants could have potentially realized additional expenses of over $2.1 billion.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was founded in 1901 and is now part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST is one of the nation's oldest physical science laboratories. Congress established the agency to remove a major challenge to U.S. industrial competitiveness at the time — a second-rate measurement infrastructure that lagged behind the capabilities of the United Kingdom, Germany and other economic rivals
The NATO Standardization Office (NSO) facilitates standardization contributions to the NATO Defense Planning Process (NDPP) to achieve interoperability. The NDPP aims to coordinate national and multinational development of forces and capabilities for the full range of Allied operations and missions. Standardization contributions to the NDPP enhance the interoperability of those forces and capabilities
The QPD contains qualification information regarding products and manufacturers as compiled and maintained by the individual Qualifying Activities(QA). One of the primary goals of QPD is to create an on-line, real-time replacement for paper-based QPL documents. It can provide buyers with assurance that items currently comply with specified requirements. The QPD is a robust application that facilitates frequent updates to qualification data and its immediate availability to users within the Standardization community.
Quick Search is a public website that lets users search for defense and federal specifications and standards, military handbooks, commercial item descriptions, data item descriptions, MS detail drawings, Qualified Product Lists (QPLs), and related technical documents prepared in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Defense Standardization Program (DSP).
Acquisition & Sustainment Mission: Enable the Delivery and Sustainment of Secure and Resilient Capabilities to the Warfighter and International Partners Quickly and Cost Effectively.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) serves as the primary advisor to Department of Defense (DOD) leadership on all matters pertaining to the Department’s Research and Engineering (R&E) enterprise, technology development and transition, developmental prototyping, experimentation, and administration of testing ranges and activities. USD(R&E) has the lead responsibility within the Department for synchronizing Science & Technology (S&T) efforts across the DOD, the Joint Staff and the Services.
WSIT provides access to information about weapon systems and specifications associated with (National Stock Numbers) NSNs. The system helps to group parts influenced by a specification and evaluate the impact of specification changes on weapon systems.
This document includes a list of answers to common questions posed to the ASSIST Service Desk by ASSIST users and the public. Should you need additional assistance after reading this document, please feel free to contact the Defense Standardization Program Automation Office, ASSIST Service Desk.
Mark your calendars: The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has announced dates for World Standards Week (WSW) 2024, which will be held November 12-14 in Washington, DC. WSW brings together ANSI members and diverse private and public-sector stakeholders from across the standards community for a week of exciting events designed to inspire open dialogue about standardization and conformity assessment.
70th anniversary of the Defense Standardization Program (DSP)
View Announcement
July 1, 2022, marks the 70th anniversary of the Defense Standardization Program (DSP) and we’ve planned special activities that span the remainder of this calendar year in commemoration. From DSP Workshops and a Conference to publishing educational videos and a special edition of the State of the DSP Report, the DSPO is busy preparing to share in the celebration of this occasion.
The anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on our history, to include our past and present successes, and to focus on the principles of defense standardization and the future goals of the DSP. Visit our webpage dedicated to the 70th anniversary of the DSP for a walk down memory lane and to keep informed of what we have planned this year!
SD-19 Parts Management Guide Now Available via QuickSearch/ASSIST!
View Announcement
The need for program offices to have an effective Parts Management Program is greater than ever before. Disciplined, risk-based oversight of parts selection is necessary to avoid bad outcomes such as counterfeits, cyber vulnerabilities, tampering, poor reliability, and obsolescence. Such oversight ensures that the parts selected for DoD systems and equipment meet their allocated and derived requirements at an acceptable level of assurance. Oversight includes program office approval of a contractor Parts Management Plan, verification that the contractor is following the processes in that Plan, and validation that the parts selected are optimum.
The Updated SD-22 DoD DMSMS Guidebook is now available via ASSIST and Quicksearch!
View Announcement
The proactive, risk-based best practices for DMSMS management in this guidebook apply throughout the DoD enterprise, from DMSMS practitioners, engineers, logisticians, and program managers to Program Executive Officers and headquarters organizations.
Their use, over the life cycle, will:
Delay the occurrence of DMSM issues via strategic technology refreshment.
Enable longer windows of opportunity to resolve DMSMS issues by identifying them sooner.
Increase the availability of lower cost resolutions because there will be more time available to resolve them, and
Minimize negative effects on schedule and readiness due to DMSMS issues by resolving them prior to impact on the system.
This version of the SD-22 updates the January 2021 version. The first principal change modifies DMSMS resolution types. The resolution formerly called “development of a new item or source” is split into three categories (development of a new source, design refreshment, and redevelop the item) to reflect specific situations better.
The second principal change incorporates additional best practices on interfaces among the people involved in DMSMS management, product (improvement and supportability) roadmaps, technology roadmaps, and programming and budgeting for modifications reflected by technology refreshment and technology insertion to the system. The DMSMS community uses roadmaps to formulate resolutions to issues and improve forecasts of future issues. The DMSMS community’s monitoring for current and near-term obsolescence issues are the most important contributor to supportability roadmaps. Furthermore, synergies exist between programming and budgeting for DMSMS issues and technology refreshment and insertion. Taking advantage of these synergies will improve cost effectiveness for the entire program office.
You can find a copy of the updated SD-22 via ASSIST and Quicksearch.
Contact:
Robin Brown OSD DMSMS and Parts Management Program Manager OUSD (R&E) - Systems Engineering/Architecture OUSD (A&S/R&E) Defense Electronics Cross Functional Team (DMCFT) Defense Standardization Program Office [email protected]
The following Defense Acquisition University (DAU) training courses are sponsored by the Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO) to provide educational and continuous learning opportunities to DoD personnel and defense contractors, to name a few:
Market Research for Engineering and Technical Personnel, an Online Training (OLT) course, describes market research from the perspective of technical personnel. It explains the practical value and discusses the government mandate to conduct market research. The course addresses market research team membership, sources for obtaining market data, and techniques for technical evaluation and documentation of market information.
The goal of this online training (OLT) course is to explore the role of effective standardization in defense acquisition and its contribution to program success. It introduces you to standardization and its application across phases of the acquisition life cycle, discusses standardization policy in the DoD and addresses the management and use of standardization documents. The course is designed for professionals involved in the development or management of standardization documents.
The goal of this online training (OLT) course is to provide the student with knowledge of the standardization documents managed within the Department of Defense (DoD). This course covers technical details of the specific purpose of each type of document; how to distinguish each type of document based on the document identifier; general rules for stating requirements in standardization documents; policy regarding the adoption and use of Non-Government Standards; and format and content requirements for Commercial Item Descriptions, Defense Specifications, Defense Standards, and Defense Handbooks. This course also provides an introduction to Federal Standards, Federal Specifications, and Guide Specifications.
This module provides a comprehensive overview of parts management, including policy and contractual implementation requirements, costs and benefits, the parts management plan, participant responsibilities, and tools.
This Course Has Been Retired and Replaced by LOG 0630 on 08-APR-2021.
The Defense Standardization Workshop covers DoD policies and procedures for the development, management, and use of nongovernment standards, commercial item descriptions, and specifications and standards. Group practical exercises tailored to the customer’s organization emphasize the application of standardization tools, policies, and procedures described in CLE 028 Market Research for Technical Personnel, CLE 064 Standardization in the Acquisition Lifecycle, and CLE 065 Standardization Documents."
Upon completion, the participant will be able to apply the following critical behaviors in the workplace:
Determine when specifications, standards and policy initiatives need to be used.
Evaluate when Performance Specifications should be used.
Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Conferences The DSP Conference is a bi-annual event that brings stakeholders together from all over the world to share information, engage in interactive panels and network with like-minded professionals across the standardization community. The 2024 DSP Conference will take place on August 5-8, 2024 in Tysons, VA.
Defense Standardization Program Office Webinars Parts and Material Management Proven Processes This monthly series provides a cross-functional forum for promoting, shaping, and coordinating government and industry approaches to effective DMSMS and parts management. The series leverages subject matter experts to increase your knowledge, awareness and ability to support your program effectively. Upcoming events are listed below. Please visit DAU for a listing of previous events and recordings in the DMSMS and Parts Management Series
1. Obsolescence Strategy vs Action - Who Has Time to Think?, January 18, 2024 [Recording] 2. Stop Acting Surprised - Program and Budget for DMSMS!, February 15, 2024 [Register] 3. Begin with the End in Mind—Technology Management, March 21, 2024[Register]
North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) The following courses are designed to introduce attendees to standardization and to prepare them to represent the United States at NATO Working Groups.
ANSI Training Courses & Webinars ANSI offers an array of training courses on various aspects of the standardization system. Newcomers will benefit from an introduction to the system and the value of getting involved. Those looking to expand their standards knowledge and careers will discover new options for engagement. And seasoned professionals can pick up techniques to maximize the impact of their participation.
Each program is supported by an extensive infrastructure of staff and experts. This team will work to ensure that you walk away with a thorough understanding of the topic and an action plan for success.
This issuance applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this issuance as the “DoD Components”).
This issuance applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this issuance as the “DoD Components”).
a. This issuance applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this issuance as the “DoD Components”).
b. Nothing in this issuance should be construed as preventing the Inspector General of the Department of Defense from fulfilling his or her duties pursuant to Title 5, U.S.C., Appendix, also known and referred to as “the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended.”
This manual applies to OSD, the Military Departments, the Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities within the DoD (referred to collectively in this manual as the “DoD Components”).
This Circular establishes policies to improve the internal management of the Executive Branch with respect to the U.S. Government’s role in the development and use of standards and conformity assessment. Consistent with section 12(d) of P.L. 104-113, the “National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995,” as amended (hereinafter “the NTTAA”), and U.S. Government executive orders, this Circular directs agencies to use standards developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies rather than government-unique standards, except where inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. The policies in this Circular are intended to facilitate agencies’ compliance with obligations under U.S. trade statutes and trade agreements. U.S. Federal law (19 U.S.C. § 2532) specifically prohibits any U.S. Government agency from engaging in standards-related activities that create unnecessary obstacles to the foreign commerce of the United States.
This Circular provides guidance for agencies participating in the work of voluntary consensus standards bodies and describes procedures for satisfying the reporting requirements of the NTTAA. The policies in this Circular are intended to minimize the reliance by agencies on governmentunique standards. The Circular also provides policy guidance to agencies on the use of conformity assessment in procurement, regulatory, and program activities. This Circular replaces Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular No. A-119, dated February 10, 1998.
(a) The Secretary of Defense shall develop a single catalog system and related program of standardizing supplies for the Department of Defense.
(b) In cataloging, the Secretary shall name, describe, classify, and number each item recurrently used, bought, stocked, or distributed by the Department of Defense, so that only one distinctive combination of letters or numerals, or both, identifies the same item throughout the Department of Defense. Only one identification may be used for each item for all supply functions from purchase to final disposal in the field or other area. The catalog may consist of a number of volumes, sections, or supplements. It shall include all items of supply and, for each item, information needed for supply operations, such as descriptive and performance data, size, weight, cubage, packaging and packing data, a standard quantitative unit of measurement, and other related data that the Secretary determines to be desirable.
(c) In standardizing supplies the Secretary shall, to the highest degree practicable—
Standardize items used throughout the Department of Defense by developing and using single specifications, eliminating overlapping and duplicate specifications, and reducing the number of sizes and kinds of items that are generally similar;
Standardize the methods of packing, packaging, and preserving such items; and
Make efficient use of the services and facilities for inspecting, testing, and accepting such items.
(d) The Secretary shall coordinate with the Administrator of General Services to enable the use of commercial identifiers for commercial products (as defined in section 103 of title 41) within the Federal cataloging system.
United States Standards Strategy (USSS)serves as a statement of purpose and ideals resulting from a reexamination of the principles and strategy that guide how the United States develops standards and participates in the international standards-setting process. It provides a vision for the future of the U.S. standards system to support U.S. competitiveness, innovation, health and safety, and global trade.
Section 875 of the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 2017 states that, in general, military specifications shall be used in procurements only to define an exact design solution when there is no acceptable commercial or non-Government standard or when the use of a commercial non-Government standard is not cost effective. It further established a requirement for programs to obtain a waiver for the use of military specifications by either the appropriate Milestone Decision Authority, the appropriate Service Acquisition Executive, or the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics.
The creation and maintenance of military specifications is overseen by the Defense Standardization Council (DS), in accordance with Department of Defense (DoD) Instruction 4120, "Defense Standardization Program (DSP)," and the associated DoD Manual 4120.24, "Defense Standardization Program Procedures," which implements section 12(d) of Public Law 104-113, "The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995;" the Federal Acquisition Regulation, paragraph 11.101(b); and Office of Management Budget Circular A-119. The DSP has significantly reduced our reliance on military specifications. Military specifications that have been deemed necessary by the DSC are entered into the ASSIST database, the official source of DoD standardization documents made available to our acquisition community.
The large number of products used by federal agencies requires some standardization, commercial item descriptions, and other basic terms and conditions. The Federal Standardization Manual (2020) [PDF - 1 MB] provides guidance for users to ensure consistency and relevance of product information.
a. Reissues DoD Directive (DoDD) 2010.6 (Reference (a)) as a DoD Instruction (DoDI) in accordance with the authority in DoDD 5134.01 (Reference (b)) to establish policies and procedures for materiel interoperability and standardization with allies and coalition partners pursuant to section 2457 of title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.) (Reference (c)).
b. In accordance with DoDD 5000.01 and DoDI 5000.02, (References (d) and (e)) provides DoD procedures and responsibilities for materiel interoperability and standardization with allies and coalition partners, and describes the role of Reciprocal Defense Procurement Memorandums of Understanding (RDP MOUs) in promoting interoperability.
This standard establishes the format and content requirements for the preparation of defense specifications and program-unique specifications prepared either by DoD activities or by contractors for the DoD. It also covers the format and content requirements for specification sheets, supplements, revisions, amendments, and notices.
This standard establishes the format and content requirements for the preparation of handbooks prepared either by DoD activities or by contractors for the DoD.
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private, non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standards and conformity assessment system. Founded in 1918, the Institute works in close collaboration with stakeholders from industry and government to identify and develop standards- and conformance-based solutions to national and global priorities.
ASSIST is a robust, comprehensive web site used by standardization management activities to develop, coordinate, distribute, and manage defense and federal specifications and standards, military handbooks, commercial item descriptions, data item descriptions, and related technical documents prepared in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Defense Standardization Program (DSP). Besides DoD-prepared documents, ASSIST also has selected international standardization agreements, such as NATO standards ratified by the United States and International Test Operating Procedures.
The Defense Standardization Program is a comprehensive, integrated standardization program linking DoD acquisition, operational, sustainment, and related military and civil communities.
The Defense Standardization Program Journal (ISSN 0897-2045) is published four times a year by the Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO). Opinions represented here are those of the authors and may not represent official policy of the U.S. Department of Defense. Letters, articles, news items, photographs, and other submissions for the DSP Journal are welcomed and encouraged.
GIDEP is a cooperative activity between government and industry participants seeking to reduce or eliminate expenditures of resources by sharing technical information essential during research, design, development, production and operational phases of the life cycle of systems, facilities and equipment. Since GIDEP's inception, participants have reported over $2.1 billion in prevention of unplanned expenditures. That means without GIDEP, participants could have potentially realized additional expenses of over $2.1 billion.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) was founded in 1901 and is now part of the U.S. Department of Commerce. NIST is one of the nation's oldest physical science laboratories. Congress established the agency to remove a major challenge to U.S. industrial competitiveness at the time — a second-rate measurement infrastructure that lagged behind the capabilities of the United Kingdom, Germany and other economic rivals
The NATO Standardization Office (NSO) facilitates standardization contributions to the NATO Defense Planning Process (NDPP) to achieve interoperability. The NDPP aims to coordinate national and multinational development of forces and capabilities for the full range of Allied operations and missions. Standardization contributions to the NDPP enhance the interoperability of those forces and capabilities
The QPD contains qualification information regarding products and manufacturers as compiled and maintained by the individual Qualifying Activities(QA). One of the primary goals of QPD is to create an on-line, real-time replacement for paper-based QPL documents. It can provide buyers with assurance that items currently comply with specified requirements. The QPD is a robust application that facilitates frequent updates to qualification data and its immediate availability to users within the Standardization community.
Quick Search is a public website that lets users search for defense and federal specifications and standards, military handbooks, commercial item descriptions, data item descriptions, MS detail drawings, Qualified Product Lists (QPLs), and related technical documents prepared in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Defense Standardization Program (DSP).
Acquisition & Sustainment Mission: Enable the Delivery and Sustainment of Secure and Resilient Capabilities to the Warfighter and International Partners Quickly and Cost Effectively.
The Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) serves as the primary advisor to Department of Defense (DOD) leadership on all matters pertaining to the Department’s Research and Engineering (R&E) enterprise, technology development and transition, developmental prototyping, experimentation, and administration of testing ranges and activities. USD(R&E) has the lead responsibility within the Department for synchronizing Science & Technology (S&T) efforts across the DOD, the Joint Staff and the Services.
WSIT provides access to information about weapon systems and specifications associated with (National Stock Numbers) NSNs. The system helps to group parts influenced by a specification and evaluate the impact of specification changes on weapon systems.
This document includes a list of answers to common questions posed to the ASSIST Service Desk by ASSIST users and the public. Should you need additional assistance after reading this document, please feel free to contact the Defense Standardization Program Automation Office, ASSIST Service Desk.
The Standardization Directory provides a list of all DoD Standardization Management Activities (SMA), and civilian agency standardization offices. Assignments of Lead Standardization Activities and Participating Activities by FSC and Standardization Area. A list of Federal Supply Groups (FSG), FSC`s, and Standardization Areas, and definitions for the Areas. Data Item Description (DID) Approval Authorities.
This document offers guidance on acquisitions involving all types of commercial and non-developmental items: systems, subsystems, assemblies, parts and items of supply. Commercial services are also addressed. This document does not present a "cookbook" approach to the acquisition of commercial and non-developmental items; such an approach could not accommodate the vast array of potential applications. It does offer lessons learned and things to consider when participating on an integrated product item.
The purpose of this document is to provide DoD and other Federal personnel involved in the acquisition process with practical guidance on using market research to ensure the acquisition of products and services that will best serve the government's need. Specifically, this document is designed for personnel involved with establishing requirements for products or services, such as engineers, technical specialists, project officers, and customers; personnel involved with purchasing goods or services, such as contracting officers, contract specialists, and cost analysts; and personnel who support the acquisition process, such as logisticians, testing and quality assurance specialists, and legal counsel.
These provisions are issued as guidance for manufacturers and their authorized distributors who wish to submit products for qualification by the Department of Defense. A product may be qualified when a governing federal or defense specification or non-government standards contains a requirement for qualification. Lists are not otherwise established for qualification.
The purpose of this document is to promote more effective DoD use of nongovernment standards (NGSs) and participation in their development.To achieve this purpose, this document describes the different types of NGSs and the organizations that develop them, provides general guidance and practices relative to DoD¿s involvement in developing or using NGSs, identifies criteria that should be considered regarding requirements and verification before developing an NGS or replacing an existing military or federal document with an NGS, clarifies the roles and responsibilities of DoD personnel when participating in NGS activities, and explains the meaning of DoD adoption of an NGS and its importance.
This document provides guidance for the identification and development of standards and specifications using the International System of Units (SI), commonly known as the metric system. The guide does not cover metric practice, such as methods of converting and rounding, as addressed in IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
This document provides guidance information on performance specifications focusing primarily on stating requirements in performance terms and ensuring that sufficient verification means are included in the specification to evaluate conformance. While the focus of this document is on defense specifications developed under DoD 4120.24-M, Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Policies and Procedures, the principles and techniques can also be applied to program unique performance specifications, performance-based purchase descriptions, commercial item descriptions, or any other type of procurement specification. This guide is intended to supplement the format and content requirements for writing performance specifications found in MIL-STD-961, Defense and Program-Unique Specifications Format and Content.
The need for program offices to have an effective Parts Management Program is greater than ever before. Disciplined, risk-based oversight of parts selection is necessary to avoid bad outcomes such as counterfeits, cyber vulnerabilities, tampering, poor reliability, and obsolescence. Such oversight ensures that the parts selected for DoD systems and equipment meet their allocated and derived requirements at an acceptable level of assurance. Oversight includes program office approval of a contractor Parts Management Plan, verification that the contractor is following the processes in that Plan, and validation that the parts selected are optimum.
The purpose of this document is to provide a list of known specifications and standards whose use by Department of Defense (DoD) program offices, buying activities, and contractors is mandated by Public Law or Government regulation. This information is intended for guidance only. Users must consult the actual Public Law or Government regulation in order to determine the applicability of a specification or standard, and if a waiver process exists to exempt mandatory use of a specification or standard.
This guidebook provides best practices for implementing an effective Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) management program throughout the entire life cycle of a system. A DMSMS issue is the loss, or impending loss, of manufacturers or suppliers of items, raw materials, or software. DMSMS management is a multidisciplinary process to identify issues resulting from obsolescence, loss of manufacturing sources, or material shortages; to assess the potential for negative impacts on schedule and/or readiness; to analyze potential mitigation strategies; and then to implement the most cost-effective strategy.
All systems are susceptible to DMSMS issues. The DoD loses a manufacturer or supplier when that manufacturer or supplier discontinues production and/or support of needed items, raw materials, or software or when the supply of raw material is no longer available. DMSMS issues affect materiel readiness and operational availability, which, in turn, affect both combat operations and safety. A robust risk-based DMSMS management program, using practices outlined in this guidebook, can minimize the negative impacts of DMSMS on program costs, schedule, and system performance—and ultimately warfighter readiness and lethality.
The Parts and Material Management Program (P&MMP) provides processes to improve parts selection by requiring a systems engineering approach to parts management planning. An integral part of the P&MMP, the Item Reduction (IR) Program effectively increases part standardization and finds preferred parts in the supply system. The IR Guidebook contains procedures for sorting and identifying items in the supply system, as either preferred items or items discontinued for future acquisition and supply.
VE is an organized/systematic approach that analyzes the functions of systems, equipment, facilities, services, and supplies to ensure they achieve their essential functions at the lowest life-cycle cost consistent with required performance, reliability, quality, and safety. Typically the implementation of the VE process increases performance, reliability, quality, safety, durability, effectiveness, or other desirable characteristics.
The SD-26 provides program offices with guidance and examples to help determine sufficient contract requirements for robust diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS) management and disciplined parts management. It also serves as a reference to be used by program offices to help avoid the elimination of critical requirements during contract negotiations. The guide contains 24 examples of illustrative DMSMS management requirements including case management and reporting, issue notification, and flow down of requirements to subcontractors. Another eight illustrative examples are associated with the delivery of a contractor parts management plan and validation that the parts selected, according to the processes in that plan, meet their allocated requirements.
This manual reissues DoD 4120.24-M (Reference (a)) in accordance with the authority in DoD Directive (DoDD) 5137.02 and DoD Instruction (DoDI) 4120.24 to assign responsibilities and prescribe the procedures for implementing the DSP in accordance with sections 2451-2457 of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.)
Purpose: Under the authority vested in the Secretary of Defense by Sections 113 and of Title 10, United States Code (U.S.C.), this issuance: Establishes the position, responsibilities and functions, relationships, and authorities of the USD(R&E). Authorizes the USD(R&E), as a Principal Staff Assistant (PSA) reporting directly to the Secretary of Defense, to promulgate DoD policy within the responsibilities, functions, and authorities assigned in this issuance.
This DoD Instruction issues (DoDI) 4120.24 to establish policy and assign responsibilities for the DSP pursuant to sections 2451, 2452 and 2457 of title 10, United States Code (Reference (c)) and establish the Charter for the Defense Standardization Council.
Commanders Brief: Defense Standardization Program Virtual Conference Stephanie Possehl Director, Engineering Policy and Systems Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Research and Engineering Advanced Capabilities 13-OCT-2020
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