DLA Research & Development's Strategic Distribution and Disposition program aims to advance innovation, science & technology into DLA Distribution and Disposition networks through research & development of technology solutions. This includes a focus on automation, asset visibility, and circular economy.
Problem Areas
Automation
Warehouse automation is necessary to enhance efficiency, reduce cost, improve safety, and enable DLA to meet the evolving demands of the warfighter.
Asset Visibility
Requires the capability to track and monitor assets, such as inventory, equipment, and transportation vehicles, throughout the entire DoD supply chain process.
Circular Economy
DLA has a large potential to transition from their largely linear materiel disposal models and leverage circular economic models to inject materiel back into DoD supply chain.
Innovation & Technology
- Identify technologies solutions to solve the problem areas above
- R&D support includes market research, requirements analysis, research & development, feasibility studies, prototype development, test & evaluation, and Business Case Analyses (BCAs)
- Improvements include automation for DLA Distribution/Disposition business processes for material distribution, asset visibility, and circular economy.
Strategic Thrusts
Support DOD Modernization Priorities
- 5G Connectivity
- Automation & Robotics
- Artificial Intelligence
- Integrated Network of Systems of Systems
- Cybersecurity Controls
Support DLA Strategic Plan
- DLA’s Mission of sustaining warfighter readiness
- DLA’s Vision of being innovative
- Modernize Acquisition & Supply Chain Management
Support DLA CIO’s Information & Technology Strategy
- Digital Business Transformation
- Continually modernize
- Cybersecurity Controls
- Advance analytics
- Technology governance
Program Challenge
The SDD program challenges include legacy capabilities that are inadequate for emerging worldwide distribution and disposition requirements. This results in inefficient business processes that are labor intensive, long lead times in completing tasks, human error and inaccurate data, and high costs in labor and operations. This compromises the DLA logistics response to the warfighter.
Solution
Develop technology solutions for a DLA Smart Warehouse to optimize distribution and disposition operations and effectively and efficiently sustain warfighter readiness. The Smart warehouse is a system of systems composed of Robotics, Modeling & Simulation, Sensor IoT, Cybersecurity controls, the cloud, Augmented Reality, 5G Connectivity, and AI (predictive analytics).
Benefits
- Optimization of DLA Distribution/Disposition Centers
- Automation of DLA Distribution and DLA Disposition business processes to enhance efficiency, reduce cost, and improve safety.
- Enhance and improve DLA’s logistics response to the warfighter
Partners
- FFRDCs
- ERDC
- NAVSUP
- Industry
- MARCOLOG
- UARC
- NIWC
- OUSD R&E
Accomplishments & Ongoing Efforts
- Strategic partnership w/ OUSD R&E, NAVSUP, & MARCOLOG to establish the DLA 5G Smart Warehouse Test Bed.
- Strategic partnership w/ DOD Sponsors Research Center (FFRDCs/UARCs)
- Establish addendums (User Requirements) for Distribution Modernization Program (DMP)
- Establish 5G Integrate Product Team (WIPT) for project collaboration
- Engage Industry for effective and affordable solutions
- Integrate DOD System Engineering concepts for a system of system 5G Smart-warehouse