Naval Postgraduate School research summaries

Navy Supply Corps Newsletter, May-June, 2004 by Phil Candreva

DoD Supply Chain Implications of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Use within Air Mobility Command

By LT Marcelo A. Hozven, Chilean Navy and LT George W. Clark Ill, SC, USNR

Abstract: The purpose of this project is to identify the existing and potential value of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) use in the operations of Headquarters Air Mobility Command (HQAMC) and its worldwide network of aerial ports. The project seeks to determine how the applications of RFID within Air Mobility Command (AMC) can add value to AMC's operations and the operations of other DoD supply chain members. In doing so, the project describes the technical attributes of DoD's RFID tags and infrastructure, AMC's legacy Automated Information System (ALS) known as Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES), and AMC's role within its supply chain. The project includes a discussion of potential AMC and DoD supply chain RFID applications and resulting potential value. Ultimately, the project offers a process for creating a robust RFID infrastructure.

Analysis of Churn and Excess Material at the Pearl Itarbor Naval Shipyard

By LCDR Lawrence Bangert, SC, USN; LT Kevin Cheshure, SC, USNR and LCDR Anthony Hunt, SC, USN

Abstract: This professional report is for a Naval Shipyard, the amount of material ordered after beginning an availability (churn) and the amount of material ordered but not used (excess) are key performance indicators. Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard's metrics indicate that an average of 50 percent of material ordered during an availability is ordered after the start of the availability and that 15 percent of material is excess. The NAVSEA goal for both metrics is 5 percent. We investigate the causes of high rates of material churn and excess at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and provide recommendations for reducing them.

Examination of the Open Market Corridor

By LCDR James T. Chavis, SC, USN; LCDR (Sel) James Cheatham, SC, USN; 2nd LT Vaughn Gonzalez, USAF; LT Rolando Ibanez, USN; LCDR Richard Nalwasky, SC, USN; LCDR Martin Rios, SC, USN; and LCDR (Sel) Marco A. Turner, SC, USN

Abstract: Present procurement practices for the purchase of commercial, commercial off-the-shelf, and non-developmental products and services can take anywhere from 30 days to sometimes years to procure and deliver to the end user. Federal contracting offices spend costly amounts of time advertising the actions and preparing formal solicitation documents for each purchase order generated by the end-user. This translates to high administrative costs, high prices, and, at times, marginal performance. In an effort to ease the administrative burden on the contracting system throughout the DoD by capitalizing on current technologies, a new system was recently developed by Professor Ron Tudor and students at the Naval Postgraduate School. This new program is currently under testing by a prime contractor under the auspices of the Department of the Interior. The new on line contracting/procurement program, known as the Open Market Corridor, will allow federal, state and local government users to purchase supplies and services on line through the use of electronic catalogs and embedded contract templates accessible via the Internet. This thesis project will review various aspects of the new program evaluating current efficiencies and recommend modifications in an effort to improve the current procurement and logistics process.