# R&D Strategic Distribution and Disposition

/ Published July 26, 2023

                Strategic Distribution and Disposition                            Strategic Distribution and Disposition                            Strategic Distribution and Disposition information paper            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Amber McSherryVIRIN: 200924-D-HW629-073

DLA Research & Development's Strategic Distribution and Disposition program aims to advance innovation, science & technology into DLA’s distribution/disposition network through research & development of technology solutions, specifically smart-warehouses for DLA in order to optimize warehouse operations to efficiently & effectively sustain warfighter readiness.

## Problem Areas

**Inventory Management**DOD’s inventory management practices and procedures have been ineffective and inefficient. DOD has experienced high levels of inventory that were in excess of requirements and weaknesses inaccurately forecasting the demand for inventory items.

**Material Distribution**DOD has faced challenges in delivering supplies and equipment, including not meeting delivery standards and timelines for cargo shipments as well as not maintaining complete delivery data for surface shipments.

**Asset Visibility**DOD has had weaknesses in maintaining visibility of supplies, such as problems with inadequate radio-frequency identification information to track all cargo movements.

## Innovation & Technology

      - Working to identify technologies solutions to solve problem areas
      - R&D support includes market research, requirements analysis, research & development, feasibility studies, prototype development, test & evaluation, and business case analyses
      - Improvements include automation for DLA Distribution/Disposition business processes in inventory management, material distribution, and asset visibility

## 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 resulting in inefficient business processes that are labor intensive leading to long lead times in completing tasks, incurring human error and inaccuracy of data, and high cost in labor and operations compromising DLA logistics response to the warfighter.

## Solution

Develop smart warehouses for DLA in order to optimize distribution operations to effectively and efficiently sustain warfighter readiness. The smart warehouse is a system of system composed of robotics, modeling & simulation, sensor IoT, cybersecurity controls, the cloud, augmented reality, 5G connectivity, and artificial intelligence (predictive analytics).

## Benefits

      - Optimization of DLA Distribution/Disposition Centers
      - Automation of DLA Distribution/Disposition business process to reduce labor hours, operational cost, human error, and lead in completing tasks
      - 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 at DDAG
      - 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

### Contact Us - Logistics.Research@dla.mil