Core logistics was a topic of great interest and much discussion during this week’s DoD Product Support Manager’s Workshop. As a public service, wanted to share several key statutory and DoD policy requirements related to Core logistics capabilities and workload, as well as share a few resources we offer here at DAU on the subject. Note that emphasis of key passages below is added, and was not in the original statutory or policy language.

·         According 10 U.S.C §2366a. Major defense acquisition programs: certification required before Milestone A approval:

“(a) Certification.-A major defense acquisition program may not receive Milestone A approval or otherwise be initiated prior to Milestone B approval until the Milestone Decision Authority certifies, after consultation with the Joint Requirements Oversight Council on matters related to program requirements and military needs - …(4) that a determination of applicability of core logistics capabilities requirements has been made;…”

·         According to 10 USC §2366b. Major defense acquisition programs: certification required before Milestone B approval:

“Certification.-A major defense acquisition program may not receive Milestone B approval until the milestone decision authority-… (3) certifies that-…. (F) an estimate has been made of the requirements for core logistics capabilities and the associated sustaining workloads required to support such requirements;…”

·         According to 10 U.S.C. §2464. Core logistics capabilities:

“(a) Necessity for Core Logistics Capabilities.-

(1)   It is essential for the national defense that the Department of Defense maintain a core logistics capability that is Government-owned and Government-operated (including Government personnel and Government-owned and Government-operated equipment and facilities) to ensure a ready and controlled source of technical competence and resources necessary to ensure effective and timely response to a mobilization, national defense contingency situations, and other emergency requirements.

(2)   The Secretary of Defense shall identify the core logistics capabilities described in paragraph (1) and the workload required to maintain those capabilities.

(3)   The core logistics capabilities identified under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall include those capabilities that are necessary to maintain and repair the weapon systems and other military equipment (including mission-essential weapon systems or materiel not later than four years after achieving initial operational capability, but excluding systems and equipment under special access programs, nuclear aircraft carriers, and commercial items described in paragraph (5)) that are identified by the Secretary, in consultation with the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, as necessary to enable the armed forces to fulfill the strategic and contingency plans prepared by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff…

(4)   The Secretary of Defense shall require the performance of core logistics workloads necessary to maintain the core logistics capabilities identified under paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) at Government-owned, Government-operated facilities of the Department of Defense (including Government-owned, Government-operated facilities of a military department) and shall assign such facilities sufficient workload to ensure cost efficiency and technical competence in peacetime while preserving the surge capacity and reconstitution capabilities necessary to support fully the strategic and contingency plans referred to in paragraph (3).”

·         According to paragraph E1.6. of DoD Instruction 4151.20 “Depot Maintenance Core Capabilities Determination Process, core is defined as “ depot maintenance capability (including personnel, equipment, and facilities) maintained by the Department of Defense at Government-owned, Government-operated facilities as the ready and controlled source of technical competence and resources necessary to ensure effective and timely response to a mobilization, national defense contingency situations, and other emergency requirements. Depot maintenance for the designated weapon systems and other military equipment is the primary workload assigned to DoD depots to support core depot maintenance capabilities.

For further information regarding core logistics, see also:

·         10 U.S.C. §2464. Core logistics capabilities

·         DoD Instruction 4151.20 “Depot Maintenance Core Capabilities Determination Process”

·         ”Depot Maintenance Statute: 10 U.S.C. §2464” ACQuipedia Article

·         ”CLL 022, Title 10 Depot Maintenance Statute Overview” Continuous Learning Module

·         ”CLL 023, Title 10 USC 2464 Core Statute Implementation” Continuous Learning Module