Success in DLA contracting doesn't end when the part is manufactured. It ends when the part is accepted at the DLA Distribution Center. One of the most common reasons for delivery delays and administrative hold-ups is a failure to comply with MIL-STD-129, the standard practice for military marking and shipping labels.
MIL-STD-129 requires specific linear and 2D barcodes (PDF417) on every level of packaging—from the unit pack to the exterior shipping container. These barcodes must include critical data such as the National Stock Number (NSN), Contract Number, CLIN, and CAGE Code. If the DLA scanner cannot read these barcodes upon arrival, the shipment is often diverted to "Problem Resolution," delaying payment and potentially counting as a performance failure.
For many DLA contracts, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are mandatory for certain shipment destinations. These tags must be encoded with unique identifiers and data must be transmitted through WAWF (Wide Area Workflow) before the shipment arrives. Missing or inactive RFID tags are a common technical compliance pitfall for newer contractors.
To ensure compliance, contractors must meticulously follow the "Packaging and Marking" section of their contract awards. This section explicitly defines whether Military Shipping Labels (MSL) are required and what specific marking levels (Levels A, B, or C) apply to the preservation and packing of the items.