Success in DLA contracting involves more than just manufacturing a compliant part; it requires that the part arrives at the designated depot in a condition that the Government can readily process. The standard for this is MIL-STD-129P, which governs the "Military Marking for Shipment and Storage."
The DLA handles millions of line items. Their automated systems rely on standardized barcodes (Standard 3 of 9 or PDF417) and human-readable text to manage inventory. Failure to adhere to MIL-STD-129P often results in "Frustrated Freight"—shipments that sit at the depot because they cannot be scanned, leading to payment delays and negative ratings in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).
Common Pitfall: Placing labels over the seams of a carton or in a location where they are obscured by packing tape. Ensure labels are flat, visible, and protected from the elements during transit.
While MIL-STD-129P is complex, DLA’s Vendor Shipment Module (VSM) can help. VSM allows contractors to generate compliant MSLs and identification labels directly from the system. However, understanding the underlying requirements remains essential for troubleshooting and for shipments where VSM use is not applicable.
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