COLUMBUS, Ohio –
Defense Logistics Agency Land and Maritime Acting Commander Kenneth Watson shared how the Agency is shifting to an automated technical data management system in a Fed Gov Today podcast released July 17.
Watson outlined how Technical Data Management Transformation – or TDMT – aims to provide a faster, more efficient approach to item management, describing it as a “universal translator,” capable of integrating diverse technical data formats from the services’ various Product Lifecycle Management systems.
He detailed how improving the existing process, which requires manual back-and-forth communication to resolve engineering variations requested by vendors, is a major operational benchmark for TDMT. The digitized workflow will give both DLA and its partners visibility into where a request stands in the review process resulting in less administrative lead time, faster approvals and quicker delivery of parts to the field.
“Instead of manually requesting data every time a contract action is needed, DLA will use this new system to pull and push updated specifications in real-time, streamlining the process from solicitation to award,” he said.
Watson also emphasized the importance of collaboration with the military services and said DLA is currently partnering with the Army as a pilot case, in line with their ongoing efforts to consolidate PLM systems. This collaboration enables DLA to test its TDMT infrastructure with real-world data and refine the system for broader application across other services.
While data flow is a key marker of success, DLA is also watching metrics like response timeliness, vendor engagement and source approvals – all of which impact the agency’s ability to onboard new suppliers and improve defense industrial base resilience, he said.
Looking ahead, Watson noted that Phase One of the TDMT program – connecting the system to DLA’s enterprise business systems – is set for rollout in November, and said he anticipates an initial operating capability by the end of fiscal 2026.