FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
A Defense Logistics Agency program that partners with small businesses to solve critical equipment shortages has been awarded the Department of Defense Supply Chain Excellence Award.
The DLA’s Weapon System Readiness Program, part of DLA’s Research and Development portfolio, improves military readiness by finding and fixing supply chain problems such as obsolete parts, reliance on single suppliers, and long waits for new equipment. The program achieved an average 84% reduction in wait times for critical parts, cut lifecycle costs by an estimated 45%, and delivered a 4-to-1 return on investment.
The WSRP was established to strengthen the military supply chain by solving part-level issues before they can escalate into mission-crippling crises. It uses the Small Business Innovation Programs to find novel solutions from the nation’s small businesses, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, robotics, and sensor technology. As these parts are manufactured in the US, it also means they are American made.
Matthew Borsinger, the SBIR/STTR Program Manager for Information Operations, said the award is a testament to the program's strategic focus.
"This award validates our core mission, turning the agility of our small business partners into a strategic advantage for the warfighter," Borsinger said. "We're not just funding ideas; we're solving critical readiness gaps and delivering a clear return on investment to the taxpayer."
Ali Olinger, chief of the Sourcing and Reliability Programs Branch for Weapons Support, also emphasized the program's teamwork.
"Each member of the team plays an important role in the success of the program," Olinger stated. "By integrating the agility and ingenuity of our small business partners with the expertise of the DLA R&D and DLA Weapons Support teams, we are tackling critical piece-part challenges head-on. This collaboration builds a more resilient and responsive supply chain, which directly translates to enhanced warfighter readiness."
The program’s impact is demonstrated through several mission-critical successes.
For example, the U.S. Air Force faced a one-year wait for a critical safing wrench for the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile, directly impacting national security. A WSRP small business partner redesigned the tool and delivered new wrenches in just 60 days.
In another instance, a necessary wire support spring for missile launchers on B-52 and B-1 bombers became unavailable. The WSRP started a project that created a new way to make it. The solution is projected to save the DLA more than $5.4 million on its first order and cut the cost per spring by more than half.
The WSRP provides a model that can be repeated and expanded to build a stronger industrial base, preparing the nation for future security needs. Winning the DoD Supply Chain Excellence Award formally recognizes its pivotal role in that mission.