IUID
Encyclopedia
Item Unique IDentification (IUID) is an asset identification system instituted by the United States Department of Defense
(DoD) to uniquely identify a discrete tangible item or asset and distinguish it from other like and/or unlike tangible items. Tangible items are distinguished from one another by the assignment of a unique identifier in the form of a unique data string and encoded in a bar code placed on the item. An item unique identifier is only assigned to a single item and is never reused. Once assigned to an item, the IUID is never changed even if the item is modified or re-engineered. IUID is similar to social security numbering used to distinguish citizens of the United States from one another.
In the case of a lot or batch of items that are not individually serialized, the entire lot or batch may have a unique identifier assigned. For example, a manufacturer might place a unique IUID physical mark on the exterior of a kit or container that holds a gross quantity of mission critical items. The government would refer to this IUID at the point of acceptance. The entire gross quantity in this case is treated as a single item. In this case, the IUID is no longer useful after the items are separated, and the individual items from the batch or lot are never uniquely identified.
IUID is physically marked on tangible items or assets using a two-dimensional (2D) Data Matrix
symbol with the data formatted in accordance with specified standards. The encoded data is identified by the use of data identifiers, application identifiers or text element identifiers. The choice of which identifier to use is based upon normal industry practices of the organization assigning the serialization. The formatted data is called a Unique Item Identifier (UII). The Data Matrix symbol is a machine-readable representation of the UII.
When DoD requires this marking it shall be applied directly to the surface of the item or shall be applied to an identification plate, tag or label securely fastened to the item. The UII is intended to be a permanent mark and cannot be changed over the life of the item.
The following IUID Equivalents are also approved:
Accepted Issuing Agencies:
Marking of tangible items or assets in accordance with IUID policy is mandated by incorporating Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252-211-7003 in DoD contracts.
Responsibility - Oftentimes, the question of responsibility for IUID comes into light when multiple organization are involved in the production and/or procurement of items. According to the guidance, IUID is required at the component level based on a program manager determination. Program managers should be interpreted as any activity member who manages the requirement for procurement of an item. This would include personnel such as Integrated Support Team Managers, Systems Managers, or Item Managers.
The prime contractor is responsible for ensuring uniqueness. The prime contractor can direct their vendors to use the prime's EID. However, from a manufacturing process perspective, this may not be the most efficient and effective way for their vendors to mark parts. If the item does not already have unique identification and meets IUID criteria, the enterprise furnishing the item to the Government must provide unique item identification marking as part of the purchase price. In situations where sub-contractors are furnishing items to the prime contractor, it is the responsibility of the prime contractor to ensure that the items are marked in accordance with the IUID requirements prior to furnishing to the Government, either by flowing down the requirements to the subcontractor or marking the item themselves. The prime will also have the added responsibility of ensuring uniqueness of the subcontractor's serial number within the prime's enterprise (Construct #1) or the subcontractor's serial number within the subcontractor's part number within the prime's enterprise (Construct #2).
UID - Unique Identification, the term UID is commonly used for different things and sometimes used in place of IUID, and thus can be a source of confusion. Generally, "The UID" refers to the physical mark on the asset or the UID Label.
UII - The Unique Item Identifier is a set of data for an asset(s) that is globally unique and unambiguous, ensures data integrity and data quality throughout life, and supports multi-faceted business applications and users.
2D Matrix - The square 2D Data Matrix symbol marked on the item contains data compression, redundancy, and additional information to aid in decoding. This information can be translated by a MRI device (per ISO-15343) and concatenated into a human-readable string of 50 characters or less per MIL-STD-130N. (Note that this limit was previously 78 characters in MIL-STD-130M, superseded in December 2007.) The human-readable concatenated UII (Unique Item Identifier) is properly referred to as the IUII or "Individual Unique Item Identifier". The IUII provides a high probability of being globally unique, regardless of context.
IUID Registry - The U.S. Federal Government maintains an IUID Registry data system to store records for all assets marked and delivered to the government or are in the custody of contractors. The registry also stores "Virtual IUID" information for assets that fall under IUID criteria but are unable to be marked (mainly due to asset location constraints) The IUID Registry can be publicly accessed via the web at https://www.bpn.gov/iuid/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Virtual IUID - Asset data is uploaded to the registry as with normal IUID but the asset is not physically marked until a trigger event occurs (such as maintenance, transportation, or inspection). Commonly used when an asset is located overseas or in use and scheduled to return to a central location.
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DoD) to uniquely identify a discrete tangible item or asset and distinguish it from other like and/or unlike tangible items. Tangible items are distinguished from one another by the assignment of a unique identifier in the form of a unique data string and encoded in a bar code placed on the item. An item unique identifier is only assigned to a single item and is never reused. Once assigned to an item, the IUID is never changed even if the item is modified or re-engineered. IUID is similar to social security numbering used to distinguish citizens of the United States from one another.
In the case of a lot or batch of items that are not individually serialized, the entire lot or batch may have a unique identifier assigned. For example, a manufacturer might place a unique IUID physical mark on the exterior of a kit or container that holds a gross quantity of mission critical items. The government would refer to this IUID at the point of acceptance. The entire gross quantity in this case is treated as a single item. In this case, the IUID is no longer useful after the items are separated, and the individual items from the batch or lot are never uniquely identified.
IUID is physically marked on tangible items or assets using a two-dimensional (2D) Data Matrix
Data Matrix
A Data Matrix code is a two-dimensional matrix barcode consisting of black and white "cells" or modules arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern. The information to be encoded can be text or raw data. Usual data size is from a few bytes up to 1556 bytes. The length of the encoded data...
symbol with the data formatted in accordance with specified standards. The encoded data is identified by the use of data identifiers, application identifiers or text element identifiers. The choice of which identifier to use is based upon normal industry practices of the organization assigning the serialization. The formatted data is called a Unique Item Identifier (UII). The Data Matrix symbol is a machine-readable representation of the UII.
When DoD requires this marking it shall be applied directly to the surface of the item or shall be applied to an identification plate, tag or label securely fastened to the item. The UII is intended to be a permanent mark and cannot be changed over the life of the item.
IUID construction
The following methodologies (constructs) and equivalents are approved:- UID Construct 1, composed of Issuing Agency Code, an Enterprise Identifier, and a Serial Number unique within the Enterprise
- UID Construct 2, composed of Issuing Agency Code, an Enterprise Identifier, a Part Number and a Serial Number (unique within the Part Number)
The following IUID Equivalents are also approved:
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)
- Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)
- Electronic Serial Number (ESN), typically assigned to cell phones
Accepted Issuing Agencies:
- DoD and NATO (CAGE or NCAGECommercial and Government EntityThe Commercial And Government Entity Code, or CAGE Code, is a unique identifier assigned to suppliers to various government or defense agencies, as well as to government agencies themselves and also various organizations...
) - D-U-N-S (Dun & Bradstreet)
- GS1 (formerly EAN/UCC)
The basics
To create a compliant unique item identifier, all required information about the part and the organization producing it is linked together – concatenated – into a single data field of up to 50 numeric, alphabetic or alphanumeric characters. This data must be entered into the IUID Registry to “ensure uniqueness” of each item submitted for listing in the registry. This unique item identifier can also see use within manufacturing, maintenance and logistics organizations for any number of varied purposes.Marking of tangible items or assets in accordance with IUID policy is mandated by incorporating Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clause 252-211-7003 in DoD contracts.
Policy
Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 5000.64 mandates that the following tangible items are marked with an item unique identifier:- All delivered items for which the Government’s unit acquisition cost is $5,000 or more
- Items for which the Government’s unit acquisition cost is less than $5,000, when identified by the requiring activity as serially managed, mission essential, or controlled inventory;
- Serially Managed - When DoD elects to serially manage an item it becomes "DoD serially managed". This means it is a tangible item used by DoD, which is designated by a DoD, or Service Item Manager to be uniquely tracked, controlled or managed in maintenance, repair and/or supply by means of its serial number.
- Mission Essential - A measure of an item's military worth in terms of how its failure (if a replacement is not immediately available) would affect the ability of a weapon system, end item, or organization to perform its intended functions. (DoD 4140.1-R)
- Controlled Inventory - Those items that are designated as having characteristics that require that they be identified, accounted for, segregated, or handled in a special manner to ensure their safeguard and integrity. Includes classified items (require protection in the interest of national security), sensitive items (require a high degree of protection and control due to statutory requirements or regulations, such as precious metals; items of high value, highly technical, or hazardous nature; and small arms), and pilferable items (items having a ready resale value or application to personal possession, which are especially subject to theft) (DoD 4140.1-R); and safety controlled items.
- Items for which the Government’s unit acquisition cost is less than $5,000, when the requiring activity determines that permanent identification is required; and
- Regardless of value—
- Any DoD serially managed subassembly, component, or part embedded within a delivered item; and
- The parent item (as defined in 252.211-7003(a)) that contains the embedded subassembly, component, or part.
Responsibility - Oftentimes, the question of responsibility for IUID comes into light when multiple organization are involved in the production and/or procurement of items. According to the guidance, IUID is required at the component level based on a program manager determination. Program managers should be interpreted as any activity member who manages the requirement for procurement of an item. This would include personnel such as Integrated Support Team Managers, Systems Managers, or Item Managers.
The prime contractor is responsible for ensuring uniqueness. The prime contractor can direct their vendors to use the prime's EID. However, from a manufacturing process perspective, this may not be the most efficient and effective way for their vendors to mark parts. If the item does not already have unique identification and meets IUID criteria, the enterprise furnishing the item to the Government must provide unique item identification marking as part of the purchase price. In situations where sub-contractors are furnishing items to the prime contractor, it is the responsibility of the prime contractor to ensure that the items are marked in accordance with the IUID requirements prior to furnishing to the Government, either by flowing down the requirements to the subcontractor or marking the item themselves. The prime will also have the added responsibility of ensuring uniqueness of the subcontractor's serial number within the prime's enterprise (Construct #1) or the subcontractor's serial number within the subcontractor's part number within the prime's enterprise (Construct #2).
IUID benefits expected
DoD’s IUID policy was designed to help the defense community –- Save taxpayer dollars through increased productivity and efficiency:
- Provide improved item visibility for the warfighter for operational planning
- Lower the total life-cycle costs of items acquired and managed
- Provide item visibility regardless of the weapon system or who owned the item
- Supply item data needed for top-level logistics and engineering analysis
- Facilitate issuance of a clean audit opinion as required by the 1990 Chief Financial Officers' Act by providing an accurate data source for determining value and accountability of property and equipment
- Improve access to historical item data across the life cycle from system design to disposal
Terminology
IUID - Item Unique Identification is the strategic system implemented by the DoD to enhance the traceability of the property.UID - Unique Identification, the term UID is commonly used for different things and sometimes used in place of IUID, and thus can be a source of confusion. Generally, "The UID" refers to the physical mark on the asset or the UID Label.
UII - The Unique Item Identifier is a set of data for an asset(s) that is globally unique and unambiguous, ensures data integrity and data quality throughout life, and supports multi-faceted business applications and users.
2D Matrix - The square 2D Data Matrix symbol marked on the item contains data compression, redundancy, and additional information to aid in decoding. This information can be translated by a MRI device (per ISO-15343) and concatenated into a human-readable string of 50 characters or less per MIL-STD-130N. (Note that this limit was previously 78 characters in MIL-STD-130M, superseded in December 2007.) The human-readable concatenated UII (Unique Item Identifier) is properly referred to as the IUII or "Individual Unique Item Identifier". The IUII provides a high probability of being globally unique, regardless of context.
IUID Registry - The U.S. Federal Government maintains an IUID Registry data system to store records for all assets marked and delivered to the government or are in the custody of contractors. The registry also stores "Virtual IUID" information for assets that fall under IUID criteria but are unable to be marked (mainly due to asset location constraints) The IUID Registry can be publicly accessed via the web at https://www.bpn.gov/iuid/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1
Virtual IUID - Asset data is uploaded to the registry as with normal IUID but the asset is not physically marked until a trigger event occurs (such as maintenance, transportation, or inspection). Commonly used when an asset is located overseas or in use and scheduled to return to a central location.
UID enumeration
The following enumeration constructs are approved:- UID Construct 1, composed of Issuing Agency Code, an Enterprise Identifier, and a Serial Number unique within the Enterprise
- UID Construct 2, composed of Issuing Agency Code, an Enterprise Identifier, a Part Number or Batch/Lot Code, and a Serial Number (unique within the Part Number)
- Vehicle Identification NumberVehicle identification numberA Vehicle Identification Number, commonly abbreviated to VIN, is a unique serial number used by the automotive industry to identify individual motor vehicles. VINs were first used in 1954...
(VIN) - Global Returnable Asset Identifier (GRAI)
- Global Individual Asset Identifier (GIAI)
- Electronic Serial NumberElectronic Serial NumberElectronic serial numbers were created by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to uniquely identify mobile devices, from the days of AMPS in the United States from the early 1980s. The administrative role was taken over by the Telecommunications Industry Association in 1997 and is still...
(ESN), typically assigned to cell phones
External links
- Official UID Policy Site - Official UID Policy Site