Connecting Suppliers with DLA

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Issue 8

April 2018

Upcoming Events:

Mark Your Calendars!

Training, Knowledge & 

Opportunities (TKO) Seminars are 

FREE!

Learn how to do business with the 

Government

May 15—16

September 11 –12

November 6—7

Registration coming soon: 

https://tko.dla.mil/

All seminars are in Columbus, OH

www.dla.mil

www.facebook.com/dla.mil

www.twitter.com/dlamil

www.youtube.com/user/

dodlogisticsagency

Improving Readiness at DLA Industry Events

DLA is able to carry out its global mission as the nation's combat logistics support 

agency largely due to our strong partnerships with industry. We are committed to 

collaborating with our industrial base at all levels to meet the goals of the agency, 

its suppliers, whole of government partners, and the Warfighter. DLA's early 

engagement, continuous communication, and exchange of information with all 

our industry partners, including new businesses, is critical for DLA becoming more 

operationally agile, innovative, and cost effective. In order to facilitate 

engagements, communication, and exchange of ideas, DLA is hosting a number of 

industry focused events. 

Please go to the link below to see the memorandum outlining our events: 

http://www.dla.mil/Portals/104/Documents/InformationOperations/EBS%

20Supplier%20Information/Improving%20Readiness%20-%20Upcomi ng%20DLA%

20Industry%20Events.pdf?ver=2018-03-14-082923-030 

DIBBS will be unavailable overnight for 

maintenance on the following dates:

Saturday, 4/14/2018

Saturday 4/21/2018

Saturday 5/19/2018

Saturday 6/9/2018

Saturday 6/16/2018

Please make adjustments in your schedule.
The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Land and Maritime is proud to announce the return of the DLA Land and Maritime 

Supplier Conference and Exposition to downtown Columbus, Ohio. The 2018 conference will be held at the Columbus 

Convention Center June 19 – 20, 2018 and will have limited exhibition space available for vendors. This event is now 

open, and can be found by following the web address below.

This year’s theme “Improving Warfighter Readiness by Improving Industry Alliances and Reforming Business Processes” 

speaks to the secretary of defense’s priorities to restore military readiness as we build a more lethal force, strengthen 

alliances and attract new partners, and bring business reforms to the Department of Defense. 

This educational conference will provide an opportunity for us to build 

new and strengthen existing partnerships, at the strategic and tactical 

levels. We have a 2-day event planned, with mornings full of dynamic 

speakers from industry, to include both small and large business panel 

discussions with industry leaders, and with defense representatives with 

backgrounds in logistics and acquisition. We will also feature Army and 

Navy general officer speakers who will provide the voice of our customers. 

Afternoons will feature breakout topics.

DLA welcomes new businesses that want to join the team and those businesses that have been working with us for 

years. Our shared conference goal is improving alliances and reforming business processes to continually improve 

warfighter readiness.

Registration is now open, and we hope to see you there!

http://www.ndia.org/events/2018/6/19/dla-land-and-maritime-conference

2018 Suppliers Conference

Page 2
Implementing Web Services

If using Vendor Shipment Module (VSM) for multiple orders has become a time consuming process, you may find 

comfort in knowing that there is an easier, more efficient way to accomplish the VSM order-entry task. A solution may 

be found in the use of Web Services.

Web Services allows VSM users the opportunity to utilize EDI transmissions to batch multiple shipment orders, all at 

one time, as opposed to entering each order into the web-based VSM site as contract-by-contract manual transactions. 

Programming requirements are dependent on each supplier; however, a DLA J6 system analyst for VSM is available to 

assist.

Prior to 2017, Web Services was only available to multi-shipment suppliers fulfilling FOB destination orders. In summer 

2016, DLA J6 systems analysts began beta testing FOB origin orders with one major supplier. The test results were 

successful and the Web Services program for FOB origin shipments was “rolled out” in early 2017.

Having used Web Services for acquiring packaging labels for an FOB destination contract, a large DLA supplier, 

SupplyCore was already familiar with the program. SupplyCore is a supply chain and technology integrator providing 

key support to U.S. and foreign agencies domestically and abroad, including at-risk environments. So, when 

SupplyCore was awarded a large FOB origin contract in August 2016, they began processing one hundred plus daily 

shipments in VSM. When the capability for Web Services for FOB origin shipments rolled out in 2017, SupplyCore took 

advantage of this time-saving opportunity. To initiate the new process, DLA J6 analyst for VSM, Scot Osborne, supplied 

the programming documentation. SupplyCore programmers then set up a test account in which SupplyCore e-business 

Developer, Mike Koerner, created test shipments to complete all of the program requirements. Results were favorable. 

In fact, at the start of the SupplyCore contract, it was estimated that each order took as long as five minutes to process. 

More than one hundred orders per day created a whole day’s VSM order entry workload for a least one person.

By utilizing nearly one hundred hours of programming, SupplyCore went live with Web Services on October 18th. In just 

the first three weeks, their operations personnel had processed more than 1,200 shipments, saving hundreds of hours 

of work.

SupplyCore’s mission is to sustain and enhance the physical and human 

capital of our nation and its allies in times of peace and crisis. Additional 

information about SupplyCore can be found on their website at 

www.supplycore.com.

To learn more about or get started with a Web Services program, contact the 

DLA J6 VSM analysts, Audry Rottler (Audrey.Rottler@dla.mil), Chris Chapman 

(Christopher.Chapman@dla.mil), or Scot Osborne (Scot.Osborne@dla.mil). 

Expired System for Award Management (SAM) Entity Registrations

DLA processes payments to contractors using financial information stored in registrations submitted to the System for 

Award Management (SAM), operated by the General Services Administration (GSA). GSA recently identified a data 

discrepancy impacting a limited number of active entity registrations in SAM. As a precaution, GSA changed the status 

of those impacted records from active to expired. If your entity registration status is recently expired, we recommend 

you review and update your information in SAM, particularly the registered banking information. Incorrect SAM data 

can result in an erroneous and/or late payments for goods/services rendered. Contact 

the supporting Federal Service Desk at http://www.fsd.gov or 1-866-606-8220 for free 

help updating your registration. 

Page 3
Page 4

VSM labeling and packaging is a critical component to on-time delivery of material. Following the guidelines and 

contacting the correct points of contact below are critical when labeling, packaging , and arranging delivery of material.

“VSM is a DLA Enterprise wide, web based, system that improves cargo movement from DLA 

vendors to customers while providing in-transit visibility. It streamlines movement through utilization of DLA routing/addressing logic and integrates shipments into the Defense 

Transportation System (DTS).” (DLA VSM website)

Vendor registration is located at the following website: https://vsm.distribution.dla.mil/net/.

Vendor User Guide can be found at: https://vsm.distribution.dla.mil/net/docs/Vendor_User_Guide.pdf

All issues concerning the shipment of the material, shipping addresses, and first destination pick-up and delivery should 

be addressed to the VSM POCs prior to contacting the responsible contract administration office. If after contacting the 

VSM POC, the issue cannot be resolved, please submit a Post Award Request per group email box listed in Block 6 of 

the award or in DIBBS over an internet protocol. 

See more information at: https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/notices/msgdspl.aspx?msgid=821 

Packaging and Labeling

Packaging and labeling issues discrepancies can cause a considerable delay in payment of invoices, goods receipt, and, 

more importantly, delay the availability of the material to the Warfighter.

Common Types of Non-Compliances 

 Heat-Treated Wood requirements – all wood products used

 Not in accordance with DLA contract clause 52.247-9012 – Requirements for Treatment of Wood Packaging 

Material (WPM) 7/2008

 WPM (including pallets) is not heat treated and marked in accordance with the heat treated compliant mark, ISPM 15

ESD Parts not Packaged in Compliance with Method of Preservation “GX”

 Not packaged in DoD approved packaging materials by qualified manufacturers

 Missing wrapping or cushioning material (one or the other must be inside the barrier bag)

 Part punctured through barrier bag (which compromises the material)

 Tape, staples, or rubber bands inside barrier bag

 Barrier bag not heat sealed CONTINUED ON PAGE 5

Customer Support for DLA Customer Support for DCMA

delivery@dla.mil vsm.shipments@dcma.mil

1 (800) 456-5507 1 (314) 331-5573

Hours of Operation Hours of Operation

Monday through Friday Monday through Friday

0600-1700 Eastern Standard Time 0600-1630 Central Standard Time

VSM Labeling and Packaging
Page 5

Qualified Suppliers List of Manufacturers (QSLM)

VSM Labeling and Packaging (Cont’d from page 3)

Marking Problems

 Elements of MIL-STD-129 missing or completely omitted

 Incorrectly labeled

 Not bar-coded

 Omission of e-code, shelf-life, or lot date code

Preservation and Packaging Non-Conformances

 No authorization to substitute ASTM D3951 for military Method of Preservation (MOP)

 Used incorrect Method of Preservation – example: MOP 31 used when MOP 41 is called out in contract

 Container oversized, stacking strength not adequate, or wrong container used

Submit all post award issues to Post Award Request per group email box listed in Block 6 of award or DIBBS over an 

internet protocol. See more information at: https://www.dibbs.bsm.dla.mil/notices/msgdspl.aspx?msgid=821

Administered by DLA Land and Maritime - Sourcing and Qualifications Division (DLA-VQ), Columbus, Ohio

The Qualified Suppliers List of Manufacturers (QSLM) was developed to establish 

and maintain a list of pre-qualified manufacturers for select NSNs found in FSCs 

1005, 1010, 1015, 1020, 1025, 1055, and 1095 that are purchased by Defense 

Logistics Agency Land and Maritime. The process to become listed on the QSLM 

starts with contacting DLA-VQ. In general, obtaining approval involves several steps.

The manufacturer must have, maintain, and use a quality program which 

satisfies all the criteria set forth in the QSLM program as well as an active CAGE 

code. This quality program requirement is similar to that of ISO 9001.

The manufacturer submits a completed application to DLA-VQ along with a controlled copy of their quality manual 

(along with some additional required documentation). This application will be reviewed and a determination will be 

made to accept and move forward with the process or if additional information or changes are needed.

A site survey of the facility may be scheduled and will include a review of the manufacture's quality management 

system and all of the systems and processes, which the manufacturer is required to have in place and in use, under the 

criteria of the QSLM program. Upon successful completion of the evaluation process, the manufacturer will be listed 

on the QSLM. The manufacturer will submit an initial list (maximum of 30 to start) of applicable products by NSN 

which they have the capability to manufacture and may be allowed to add additional items later.

Another important aspect of the QSLM program applies to any product which requires phosphate coating. This 

process must be performed in a facility which maintains a Nadcap certification for chemical processing specific to 

MIL-DTL-16232.

You can find complete information under the download tab called Qualified Suppliers List of Manufacturers (QSLM) 

Criteria and Provisions for Small Arms Components Information as well as the application form and a list of applicable 

NSNs at the link below:

https://landandmaritimeapps.dla.mil/Offices/Sourcing_and_Qualification/default.aspx