RFID Compliance Labeling, Tags, and Technology Solutions

Department of Defense Mandate
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Department of Defense Mandate DoD contractors receiving a new or renewed contract may find that their contract includes the DFARS (Defense Federal Acquisition Regulations Supplement) Clause. DFARS requires that you utilizes RFID shipping labels on cases and pallets. This is not to be confused with a UID mandate, which mandates that UID items be permanently tagged. You may also have to utilize RFID tags for shipping / receiving purposes on UID products / shipment.

Here’s the latest synopsis on the DoD RFID DFARS mandate:

In a May 19th 2006 document the DoD advised that the after September 30, 2006 they will only accept GEN 2 Class 1 tags for the DFARS mandate. Between now and September 30, 2006 you may ship Class 0, Class 1 GEN 1 and Class 1 GEN 2 tags.
Frequency range of 860-960 MHz
EPC or DoD numbering format
RFID tags may be integrated into MSL or separate containing 129 type data or blank
Required on cases, pallets and case within a pallet load
Placement of the label is per MIL-STD-129 Section 4.9.2 which basically provides placement guidance but you are ultimately responsible for the RFID tag readability (10’).
RFID Tag performance requirements
- Portal -10’ at 10 miles per hour
- Conveyor – 3’ at 600 feet per minute
There are 3 phases
- Phase I = 2005 Passive RFID Tags on cases and pallets
- Reference supplier guide http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/implementation_plan.htm
- All three conditions are met:
  - The RFID DFARS clause is in the contract
  - Items are Class 1 (Rations), Class 2, Class VI or Class IX
  - Destination is DD Susquehanna or DD San Joaquin
- Phase 2 = All of the above plus Class IIIP, Class IV, Class VIII
- Phase 3 = All of the above to ANY DoD location for commodities* and UIDs. * Except items excluded under the bulk commodities definition.
ASN must be complete via WAWF (Wide Area Workflow) and include RFID HEX values and association data of case, outer pack to pallet. This step is critical especially since the DoD naming convention does not identify the goods!