# New team, process improve material needs for Naval shipyard

/ Published May 19, 2019
BREMERTON, Wash., 
DLA Maritime – Puget Sound is better equipped to assist its shipyard customers with their material needs after developing a new team.

The first of its kind technical review team was established in October 2018 by DLA Maritime – Puget Sound Code PMBB. 

It consists of four, newly hired general schedule 11 General Supply Specialists: Armand Lariza, Jon Enquist, Michelle Etchison, and Val Finley, as well as seasoned Equipment Specialist Vicki Nystrom.  Also imbedded in this group are two members of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s Planning and Engineering Code 244: Pauline Meyers and Chris Abubo.  

The group performs technical reviews of all incoming Job Material Lists to ensure completeness and accuracy before being passed to the credit card or purchasing departments. 

                DLA Maritime – Puget Sound technical branch gather for a photo. The team has been highlighted for its new screening procedures and improved processes that have resulted in customers such as the Navy receiving material in a more timely and efficient manner. Pictured l-r: Armand Lariza, Jon Enquist, Michelle Etchison, Val Finley, Vicki Nystrom and John Slocum.                            DLA Maritime – Puget Sound Technical Branch                            DLA Maritime – Puget Sound technical branch gather for a photo. The team has been highlighted for its new screening procedures and improved processes that have resulted in customers such as the Navy receiving material in a more timely and efficient manner. Pictured l-r: Armand Lariza, Jon Enquist, Michelle Etchison, Val Finley, Vicki Nystrom and John Slocum.            SHARE IMAGE:Download ImageImage DetailsPhoto By: Courtesy PhotoVIRIN: 190430-D-D0441-500The ultimate goal is to have buy-ready procurement packages upon receipt by DLA.  

New procedures were enacted to verify part numbers, sources of supply, technical documents and quotes provided by prospective vendors.

The team researched part numbers to source material through nontraditional avenues such as General Services Administration’s 4th Party Logistics sources or via Military Standard Requisitioning and Issue Procedures, more commonly known as MILSTRIP, using DLA FedMall. 

The screening is completed for this part of the process by routing the customer requirements appropriately and efficiently.

“Communication within DLA and to external organizations have seen vast improvement,” said Ryen Joyce, DLA Maritime – Puget Sound Bremerton site director.

The technical group was recently integrated into the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s JML writing class which educates shipyard personnel on proper origination procedures. 

The team participated in question and answer sessions and provided insight into DLA processes.  

Additionally, the team interacted with DLA expeditors and shipyard personnel to provide a mechanism for timely feedback.  Less time is spent by the buying teams attempting to clarify details regarding procurement packages. 

Furthermore, credit card and contracting department procurement workloads were reduced, enabling them to focus on more difficult and time consuming buys.  

Procurement acquisition lead times, which measure buyer performance, were also reduced.

Since its inception, the technical group have reviewed more than 10,000 JMLs for the credit card department worth a total of $7.4 million; 4,400 JMLs for the contracting department totaling $42.6 million; 817 JMLs for FedMall buys totaling of $1.6 million, and 2,010 JMLs for 4PL buys worth $5.6 million. 

“These numbers are a testament to the significant workload routed through our detachment each day, and the immense amount of attention paid to each requirement by the team,” said Joyce.

Ultimately, the establishment of the technical branch and new screening procedures increased rates of “buy-ready” JMLs, opened lines of communication, decreased rework and lowered material rejection rates.  This in turn helped DLA Maritime – Puget Sound’s customer, the Navy, get their material in a more timely and efficient manner.