NEW CUMBERLAND, Pennsylvania –
In 2010, the storage missions at the Naval Construction Battalions in Port Hueneme, Calif., and Gulfport, Miss., transferred to Defense Logistics Agency Distribution as part of the Navy Warehouse Transfer initiative. These sites originally reported to Naval Supply Systems Command and supported the Navy Seabee battalions at these locations. Port Hueneme is now under the direction of DLA Distribution San Diego, while Gulfport falls under DLA Distribution Jacksonville.
The NWT initiative uses the DLA Distribution network to meet customer requirements and allows the Navy to concentrate on delivering global logistics services to fleet and joint operational units. The partnership between NAVSUP and DLA was born out of a Navy Program Objective Memorandum 10 initiative to generate savings the Navy can use to build the future force. In leveraging this relationship, NAVSUP is seeking new ways to use its resources to improve current and future logistics operations.
In order to ensure proper accountability of the materiel in storage, as well as maximize audit readiness and process excellence, DLA Distribution along with the Information Operations team, Port Hueneme and Gulfport implemented the Distribution Standard System.
DSS is an automated information system that manages all functional business processes of DLA’s warehouse operations. These processes include receiving, storage, consolidation, packing, shipping, inventory, inspection and workload management. The system includes both commercial-off-the-shelf software packages and developed application software.
Leading the efforts, DLA Distribution Future Plans office along with representatives from DLA Distributions Current Operations office, subject matter experts, and the DSS team from DLA Information Operations visited the two sites in October and November of 2014. Having conducted site surveys and terrain walks, the team identified the steps necessary to implement DSS. Additionally, the team identified that the Seabee supply and warehouse management system had no interfaces with systems outside the Naval Facilities Command. DLA Distribution Future Operations office and the Information Operations team worked together to develop short-term measures to conduct a successful operation until the coding for interfaces between DSS and NAVFAC’s supply management system was complete.
“Our people amaze me in their ability to work so well with others and integrate with personnel not only from New Cumberland, Pa., but with personnel in the field,” said DLA Distribution J4 director, Sonya Gish. “DLA Distribution worked as one team to make these efforts so successful.”
During the implementation phases, the subject matter experts worked with site employees, IT analysts and instructors to rollout DSS and execute standardized processes properly.
“The DLA Distribution/J62D team ensured there were no gaps in execution,” said Gish.
“They were relaxed, you could tell they enjoy their jobs and were not afraid of work,” said Port Hueneme site director, John Crandall. “The comments from my folks were positive, and they thoroughly enjoy working with people that enjoy and believe in the system.”