RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER

INNOVATOR

Volume 5 | Issue 3 Summer Edition 2020

In This Issue

Director’s Corner 1

R&D News 2

Finance Corner 2

Program Highlights 3

COVID-19 Updates 4

Partnership Highlights:

J6 Strategic Communications 5

Hails & Farewells 5

Upcoming Events 5

Summer Edition Theme

Synchronizing, Sustaining and Safeguarding our Supply Chain

Director’s Corner

This issue also introduces a modern and intuitive J68 R&D Knowledge

Management (KM) portal to empower users through secure information

sharing.

The R&D response to COVID-19 leverages innovative technologies and

processes for responding to critical supply chain needs, such as personal

protective equipment for our front-line heroes combating the pandemic. In

addition to our demonstrated supply chain response to COVID-19, DLA

R&D is also investigating broader supply chain risks and leveraging

technology to mitigate supply chain challenges. Additionally, R&D is

focused on our internal processes by introducing the new KM Portal to

provide an online resource for our programs, partnerships, budgeting and

execution, and strategic communications. Also of note, R&D successfully

participated in an independent annual audit of our financial processes for

Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) funds to ensure

that financial execution is transparent, accountable, and in compliance with

agency policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

None of these efforts to safeguard our supply

chain could have been possible without our

many dedicated partners, within DLA and

representing small business, Whole of

Government, the Military Services and OSD’s

Joint Acquisition Task Force. Global threats and

domestic constraints will continue to test DLA’s

resilient supply chain, but R&D has proven that

innovative capabilities, along with critical

partnerships ensures successful synchronization

and sustainment of DLA’s supply chain in peace

and war.

DLA R&D Mission

Premier Innovators for Global 

Warfighter Mission Readiness

DLA R&D Vision

Develop and deliver new 

capabilities through applied 

technologies and innovative 

solutions to enhance warfighter 

sustainment

David M. Koch

DLA R&D Director

DLA Research and Development (R&D) is

focused on innovative and technology

solutions in support of DLA’s mission to sustain

warfighter readiness and lethality by delivering

preemptive RDT&E supply chain solutions. With

the global pandemic of COVID-19, DLA’s Major

Subordinate Commands and J-Codes have

demonstrated America’s supply chain

resilience. This issue focuses on some of our

supply chain synchronization and

sustainment efforts, including R&D’s response

to COVID-19, and on some of our internal

processes that safeguard our financial

and budget execution.
INNOVATOR

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER

The R&D Knowledge Management Portal (KMP) is set to

capitalize on recent advances in modern technology. Our

world is changing and together we can change it for the

better by adopting path-breaking tools and technologies that

can keep pace with the ever-changing dynamics of

knowledge management, data sharing, and collaborative

communications. R&D demonstrates commitment towards

knowledge sharing across organizations by using available

technology within the DLA ecosystem as well as embracing

partnership efforts across R&D program portfolios and

programmatic initiatives.

The KMP unlocked creative tools showcased during a sixweek KMP Training Marathon that covered functionality in

our Six Critical Program areas. The training was

administered to over 50 government and contracted support

team members through DISA’s Defense Collaboration

Service (DCS) platform, a web-based training tool.

R&D Knowledge Synchronization: 

Introducing the New J68 R&D Knowledge Management Portal

J68 Landing Page with intuitive links to our 

“Big Six” Program Management office Pages

The DLA Ernst and Young (EY) team is conducting Agency financial reviews of the

General Funds appropriated programs, furthering our efforts to safeguard internal funding

execution processes. Site Visit 034 was held on 15 June 2020, with J68 providing a Business

Process Overview (BPO) and walk through of requested samples to share how RDTE funds are

executed (via Military Interdepartmental Purchase Requests (MIPR), Cost plus fixed-fee and

Firm Fixed-price type contracts) on the multiple Logistics Research, Manufacturing Technology,

and Small Business Innovation Research projects performed annually in support of DLA’s

mission. The event was successful in large part due to sound internal processes and the

finance team’s preparation of evidential matter for all samples, reflecting J68 consistently

performs in executing RDT&E funds. Additionally, the J68 collective leadership reviewed each

sample and communicated to the entire organization the importance of the audit walk through to

underscore the need for continued diligence in following Agency policies and Standard

Operating Procedures (SOPs) in planning and executing RDT&E funds.

Synchronizing and Safeguarding Resources: 

Audit Visit Demonstrates Enabling Processes Finance Corner

2

The initial two weeks focused on user adoption of the transition from the classic to modern view, basic navigation, and various

roles and permissions. Additionally, the KMP training highlighted our application developers: Maniphone Sourivong and Zubair

Ahmed who maintain the technical and functional skillsets that adheres to J6 SharePoint best practices and styling guidance.

The next four weeks focused on key process policies and procedures on the following Project Management Office (PMO)

functional areas: Program Management, Partnerships, Strategic Communications & Outreach, Budget Execution, and

Contract Management. All participants received training certificates signed by the R&D Director. The KMP Training Team

received feedback through user surveys which are included with the permanent placement of all training modules and artifacts on

the KMP Training “How-to” page. The KMP Training Marathon ensured the success of the R&D SharePoint transformation and

seamless cutover which was completed on July 8th into a user-friendly format which should garner expanded usage by the R&D

Team.

Our KMP roadmap will continue with Phase II site enhancements that include content management, archiving previous FY data,

and streamlining capabilities. Our goal is to empower you to develop your site for continuous relationship outreach and

information sharing. The KMP team will continue to leverage out-of-the-box capabilities, nominal coding, and access to an

operational tool set for knowledge management that will enhance user experience and adoption.

Employees with access can reach the R&D KM Portal at: https://dlamil.dps.mil/sites/RD_PlanEx/SitePages/TheLanding.aspx
INNOVATOR

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER 3

The Subsistence Network (SUBNET) Program conducts Research Development Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) projects that

promote synchronizing, sustaining, and safeguarding the subsistence supply chain. As technologies continue to evolve in the

DoD environment, safeguarding the supply chain means synchronizing or coordinating with subsistence community

stakeholders and striving to sustain strong partnerships. The stakeholders in this case include: the Military Services, Meals,

Ready-to-Eat (MRE) Assemblers, Industry and Academia, and other Federal Agencies. As the functional experts for the

DLA R&D program, DLA Troop Support Subsistence is essential to the success of the program, and the contracting

community at DLA Contract Services Office- Philadelphia are vital to attaining award of R&D contracts.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS: Subsistence Network (SUBNET)

SUBNET is currently engaged with its stakeholders on various RDT&E projects to improve

processes and implement innovative capabilities in an effort to ensure a robust supply

chain is safeguarded or maintained. For instance, the SUBNET Program is collaborating

with U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Research and Development Center (ERDC) and the

University of Oregon to develop a method to extract and analyze potentially dangerous per

and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds from packaging materials used to

assemble MREs. This RDT&E project will aid DLA in responding to National Defense

Authorization Act language that requires MRE packaging to be PFAS free.

Additionally, SUBNET has partnered with Vibronyx, a Small Business, on the

Modernization and Readiness Analysis of Food Management Systems project. The project

is currently focused on research and assessment of the processes, technology and data

interactions in TRANSCOM, DLA Distribution, DoD Veterinarian Services, and Subsistence

Prime Vendors to determine if some of the current manual processes can be automated to

add predictability and visibility in the supply chain.

Another noteworthy project is the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) – SUBNET project with partner, AAPlasma

and Drexel University. This innovative project is working to combat COVID-19 through rapid disinfection of Personal

Protective Equipment (PPE) with Cold Plasma Fog, which became a SBIR Phase II project as a result of the current project

with AAPlasma that seeks to extend the shelf-life of fresh fruit and vegetables through the same cold plasma fog technology.

SUBNET Fun Fact 

MREs must be capable of withstanding parachute 

drops from 1,250 ft. & non-parachute drops of 100 ft.

The DLA HQ Veterinarian Advisor from HQ DLA J34 serves

as a Senior Advisor to the SUBNET program. Outgoing

Veterinarian Advisor, COL Brian Kim will truly be missed for

his unwavering support and expertise. In September 2020,

the new DLA Veterinarian Advisor, COL Anthony Bostick

joins the SUBNET team and he brings with him 25 years of

DoD Public Health experience. We welcome him to the

SUBNET team!

Important to the success of the SUBNET program is the

partnership with all stakeholders involved in R&D projects

from the receipt of white papers for evaluation to the end of

the project when the project transitions to DLA Troop

Support Subsistence, Military Services or its Industry

partners. Most importantly, collaborating with the team at

DLA Troop Support Subsistence, DCSO-P, and DLA R&D

Finance helps to synchronize and sustain short-term and

long-term SUBNET RDT&E.

DLA stocked the USNS Comfort and USNS Mercy with more

than $14 million in protective equipment, pharmaceuticals,

medical supplies, fuel, food and repair parts.

PFAS in the 

ecosystem
INNOVATOR

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER

DLA’s Joint Additive Manufacturing Model Exchange (JAMMEX) Tool improves supply chain readiness and

expands manufacturing industry response to COVID-19

The R&D Additive Manufacturing Program (with collaboration from the Military Service, Industry and Whole of Government)

has developed a capability to consolidate the Defense Department's technical data into packages for advanced manufacturing.

Though still in development by DLA in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health and the military services, JAMMEX lets

users download and print models from a multi-source platform. Users can access, download, and print critical models for items

such as face shields and surgical masks.

The DLA SUBNET and Small Business Innovation Program (SIBP) are leveraging an innovative technology

to provide Cold Plasma Treatment for Rapid Disinfection of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) to help

reduce supply chain burden

“The machine, about the size of a large 

microwave oven, is utilizing a cold plasma fog 

technology. It has been shown to be able to 

oxidize or to kill viruses and pathogens from 

personal protective equipment.”

David Koch, on Federal News Radio 

June 5, 2020

The SUBNET/SBIP effort is working to combat COVID-19 through novel

technology developed by AAPlasma and Drexel University that uses cold

plasma fog to provide rapid disinfection of PPEs. AAPlasma and its design

partner NextFab will validate 100 systems in hospitals and in the food industry

after they gain approval from the FDA through an Emergency Use

Authorization. This Cold Plasma OXYSTRIKETM bioburden reduction systems

aids in disinfecting PPE (masks, gowns, head covers, etc.) for re-use after 20-

cycles. In development are small PPE disinfection systems capable of

“between-patient” disinfection within 20 minutes.

DLA R&D’s supply chain solutions 

provide support for COVID’s front 

line heroes

R&D’s Technology Accelerator Team prototype PPE Efforts

The Technology Accelerator has two separate efforts to deliver personal protective

equipment (“PPE”): first, to use rapid manufacturing methods to design and create items

on a just-in-time basis; and second, to work directly with experienced mask

manufacturers to make certified N95 respirators that are specifically-tailored for DoD end

users.

Rapid Manufacturing. The team made 11,000 face shields for NYC first responders.

We also made 34 face shields for DDSP (DLA Susquehanna) to keep the DLA depot

operational. Both designs were laser cut, but we have the ability to make parts using a

number of processes: CNC machining, injection molding, additive manufacturing.

N95s. The team is working with two companies to create various novel N95s.

For additional information, please visit our COVID Resource Center at 

https://dlamil.dps.mil/sites/RD_PlanEx/SitePages/ResourceCenter.aspx

Three notable points:

1. DoD-Focused Design. Prototype respirators are uniquely tailored for the warfighter:

comfortable, compatible with headgear, allow for warfighter mobility. These designs

attach to the user’s face with a medical adhesive rather than the usual head-straps.

2. U.S. Companies & Materials. Untapped domestic production capacity, in contrast to

4

J68 R&D Provides Supply Chain Solutions to Combat COVID-19 

most N95s, which either rely on imported filtration media or pull on common, dwindling domestic materials.

3. Cost at Scale. The flat style with no straps, fewer components, and less assembly drastically lowers cost.
INNOVATOR

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT NEWSLETTER

Hails & Farewells

Hails (Welcome) Farewell (Thank you!)

RADM Michelle Skubic, USN DLA Director LTG Darryl Williams, USA

COL Anthony Bostick, DLA Veterinarian Advisor COL Brian Kim

CDR James P. Zakar, USN J68 R&D Deputy

John McMath J68 Funds Holders Paul Henry 

Rodney Dickerson (August) J68 Resource Manager Karen Cotton Peterkin

DLA Partnership Highlight: J6 Strategic Communications Team

Through a collaborative partnership with DLA J6 Strategic Communications, the

J68 R&D Strategic Communications team is bringing increased visibility and

awareness to the many projects and initiatives DLA R&D is pursuing in support

of the warfighters. Strategic Communications efforts include articles for internal

and external media, social media, briefings, media engagements, photos, event

planning, and much more.

J68’s Strategic Communication efforts are a vital part of the overall J6 communication mission to prompt organizational level

action in line with Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and J6 priorities, moving the agency forward deliberately and collectively.

J68 is a key partner in getting the right message to the right audience at the right time for the right effect.

Army Col. Brian Kim, senior veterinary advisor,

demonstrates the heater in a “meal, ready to eat”

field ration at a lunch-and-learn event at DLA

headquarters

Defense Logistics Agency Director Army Lt.

Gen. Darrell Williams addresses attendees at

the Defense Manufacturing Conference, Dec. 3,

2019

Upcoming Events

5

August 25-26 Aug: NDIA DLA Land & Maritime Supplier Conference

September 1-3 Sept: R&D Biannual Offsite

14-16 Sept: AFA Air, Space & Cyber Tech Expo

22-24 Sept: Modern Day Marine

30 Sept: End of FY20

November 18 Nov: R&D Industry/Collider Day

Sara Moore, J68 Strategic Communications liaison