[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 97 (Friday, May 19, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29084-29087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-4682]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Defense Acquisition Regulations System

48 CFR Parts 211 and 252

RIN 0750-AF31


Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; Radio 
Frequency Identification (DFARS Case 2006-D002)

AGENCY: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Department of Defense 
(DoD).

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: DoD has issued an interim rule amending the Defense Federal 
Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) to include additional 
commodities and DoD locations that require package marking with passive 
radio frequency identification (RFID) tags. The rule requires 
contractors to affix passive RFID tags at the case and palletized unit 
load levels when shipping packaged petroleum, lubricants, oils, 
preservatives, chemicals, additives, construction and barrier 
materials, and medical materials to specified DoD locations.

DATES: Effective date: May 19, 2006.
    Comment date: Comments on the interim rule should be submitted in 
writing to the address shown below on or before July 18, 2006, to be 
considered in the formation of the final rule.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by DFARS Case 2006-D002, 
using any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include DFARS Case 2006-D002 in the 
subject line of the message.
     Fax: (703) 602-0350.
     Mail: Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. 
Robin Schulze, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense 
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062.
     Hand Delivery/Courier: Defense Acquisition Regulations 
System, Crystal Square 4, Suite 200A, 241 18th Street, Arlington, VA 
22202-3402.
    Comments received generally will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information provided.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Robin Schulze, (703) 602-0326.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 29085]]

A. Background

    DoD has developed a three-year roll-out plan for supplier 
implementation of RFID. This rule addresses the second year of the 
plan. Year one of the plan was implemented in the final rule published 
at 70 FR 53955 on September 13, 2005. This interim rule adds 
requirements for contractors supplying materiel to DoD to affix passive 
RFID tags at the case and palletized unit load levels when shipping 
packaged petroleum, lubricants, oils, preservatives, chemicals, 
additives, construction and barrier materials, and medical materials to 
the Defense Distribution Depots in Albany, GA; Anniston, AL; Barstow, 
CA; Cherry Point, NC; Columbus, OH; Corpus Christi, TX; Hill, UT; 
Jacksonville, FL; Oklahoma City, OK; Norfolk, VA; Puget Sound, WA; Red 
River, TX; Richmond, VA; San Diego, CA; Tobyhanna, PA; and Warner 
Robins, GA; and the Air Mobility Command Terminals at Charleston Air 
Force Base, Charleston, SC; Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA; and Travis 
Air Force Base, Fairfield, CA. The rule requires that the specified 
commodities delivered to the specified locations be tagged with a 
readable passive RFID tag in accordance with the applicable 
implementation plan at http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/implementation_plan.htm. The data encoding schemes that contractors may write to the 
tags are located at http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/tag_data.htm. In 
addition, contractors must send an advance shipment notice in 
accordance with the procedures at http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/advance_shipment_ntc.htm, to provide the association between the 
unique identification encoded on the passive tag(s) and the product 
information at the applicable case and palletized unit load levels.
    This rule was not subject to Office of Management and Budget review 
under Executive Order 12866, dated September 30, 1993.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This rule may have an impact on a substantial number of small 
entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 
601, et seq. DoD has prepared a separate regulatory flexibility 
analysis, available at http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/regflex.htm. The 
analysis is summarized as follows:
    This rule adds requirements for DoD contractors supplying materiel 
to DoD to affix passive RFID tags at the case and palletized unit load 
levels for specified commodities delivered to specified DoD locations. 
To create an automated and sophisticated end-to-end supply chain, DoD 
is dependent upon initiating the technology at the point of origin, the 
DoD commercial suppliers. Without the assistance of the DoD supplier 
base to populate the DoD supply chain with passive RFID tags, a fully 
integrated, highly visible, automated end-to-end supply chain is 
untenable. DoD contractors are presently required to print and affix 
military shipping labels to every package delivered to DoD. For 
packaged operational rations, clothing, individual equipment, tools, 
personal demand items, and weapon system repair parts shipped to the 
Defense Distribution Depot in Susquehanna, PA, or the Defense 
Distribution Depot in San Joaquin, CA, DoD contractors already are 
required to affix passive RFID tags at the case and palletized unit 
load levels.
    Options to comply with the requirements of the rule can be as 
simple as replacing existing military shipping label printers with 
RFID-enabled printers, which will allow DoD contractors to print 
military shipping labels with embedded RFID tags. The regulatory 
flexibility analysis describes other options and approximate costs to 
comply. The rule will also require contractors to provide an electronic 
advance shipment notice in accordance with the procedures at http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/advance_shipment_ntc.htm, to associate RFID 
tag data with the corresponding shipment. The objective of the rule is 
to improve visibility of DoD assets in the supply chain, increase 
accuracy of shipments and receipts, and reduce the number of logistic 
``touch points'' in order to decrease the amount of time it takes to 
deliver materiel to the warfighter. The rule does not duplicate, 
overlap, or conflict with any other Federal rules.

C. Paperwork Reduction Act

    This interim rule adds new information collection requirements. The 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has approved the information 
collection requirements for use through October 31, 2006, under OMB 
Control Number 0704-0434, in accordance with the emergency processing 
procedures of 5 CFR 1320.13. DoD invites comments on: (a) Whether the 
collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of 
the functions of DoD, including whether the information will have 
practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the estimate of the burden of 
the information collection; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, 
and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) ways to 
minimize the burden of the information collection on respondents, 
including the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of 
information technology.
    Title: Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS); 
Radio Frequency Identification Advance Shipment Notices.
    Type of Request: New collection. (Of the following 31,556 estimated 
annual burden hours, 21,038 hours were previously approved under OMB 
Control Number 0704-0434, for the advance shipment notice requirements 
in the final rule published at 70 FR 53955 on September 13, 2005.)
    Number of Respondents: 25,500.
    Responses Per Respondent: 3,981.
    Annual Responses: 101,515,500.
    Average Burden Per Response: Approximately 1.12 seconds.
    Annual Burden Hours: 31,556.
    Needs and Uses: DoD needs an advance shipment notice prior to 
shipment of materiel containing RFID tag data. DoD receiving personnel 
use the advance shipment notice to associate the unique identification 
encoded on the RFID tag with the corresponding shipment. Use of RFID 
technology permits DoD to create an automated and sophisticated end-to-
end supply chain, thereby increasing visibility of assets and 
permitting delivery of supplies to the warfighter more quickly.
    Affected Public: Businesses or other for-profit and not-for-profit 
institutions.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
    OMB Desk Officer: Ms. Hillary Jaffe.
    Written comments and recommendations on the information collection 
should be sent to Ms. Jaffe at the Office of Management and Budget, 
Desk Officer for DoD, Room 10236, New Executive Office Building, 
Washington, DC 20503, with a copy to the Defense Acquisition 
Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Robin Schulze, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), 
IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-3062. Comments 
can be received from 30 to 60 days after the date of this notice, but 
comments to OMB will be most useful if received by OMB within 30 days 
after the date of this notice.
    To request more information on this information collection or to 
obtain a copy of the proposal and associated collection instruments, 
please write to Defense Acquisition Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Robin 
Schulze, OUSD (AT&L) DPAP (DARS), IMD 3C132, 3062 Defense Pentagon, 
Washington, DC 20301-3062.

[[Page 29086]]

D. Determination to Issue an Interim Rule

    A determination has been made under the authority of the Secretary 
of Defense that urgent and compelling reasons exist to publish an 
interim rule prior to affording the public an opportunity to comment. 
DoD considers the implementation of RFID to be a strategic imperative, 
necessary to deliver supplies to our warfighters more quickly. Use of 
RFID technology improves the accuracy of shipment and receipt data, 
increases the visibility of assets throughout the DoD supply chain, and 
permits DoD to optimize the manner in which it moves and accounts for 
materiel. This interim rule adds commodities and DoD locations to those 
already required by the clause at DFARS 252.211-7006, Radio Frequency 
Identification.
    DoD has developed a three-year roll-out plan for supplier 
implementation of RFID. This rule addresses the second year of the 
plan, and is necessary for effective application of RFID technology 
throughout the DoD supply chain. Comments received in response to this 
interim rule will be considered in the formation of the final rule.

List of Subjects in 48 CFR Parts 211 and 252

    Government procurement.

Michele P. Peterson,
Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations System.

0
Therefore, 48 CFR parts 211 and 252 are amended as follows:

PART 211--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for 48 CFR parts 211 and 252 continues to 
read as follows:

    Authority: 41 U.S.C. 421 and 48 CFR Chapter 1.


0
2. Section 211.275-2 is revised to read as follows:


211.275-2  Policy.

    Radio frequency identification (RFID), in the form of a passive 
RFID tag, is required for individual cases and palletized unit loads 
that--
    (a) Contain items in any of the following classes of supply, as 
defined in DoD 4140.1-R, DoD Supply Chain Materiel Management 
Regulation, AP1.1.11, except that bulk commodities are excluded from 
this requirement:
    (1) Subclass of Class I--Packaged operational rations.
    (2) Class II--Clothing, individual equipment, tentage, 
organizational tool kits, hand tools, and administrative and 
housekeeping supplies and equipment.
    (3) Class IIIP--Packaged petroleum, lubricants, oils, 
preservatives, chemicals, and additives.
    (4) Class IV--Construction and barrier materials.
    (5) Class VI--Personal demand items (non-military sales items).
    (6) Subclass of Class VIII--Medical materials (excluding 
pharmaceuticals, biologicals, and reagents).
    (7) Class IX--Repair parts and components including kits, 
assemblies and subassemblies, reparable and consumable items required 
for maintenance support of all equipment, excluding medical-peculiar 
repair parts; and
    (b) Will be shipped to one of the following locations:
    (1) Defense Distribution Depot, Susquehanna, PA: DoDAAC W25G1U or 
SW3124.
    (2) Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, CA: DoDAAC W62G2T or 
SW3224.
    (3) Defense Distribution Depot, Albany, GA: DoDAAC SW3121.
    (4) Defense Distribution Depot, Anniston, AL: DoDAAC W31G1Z or 
SW3120.
    (5) Defense Distribution Depot, Barstow, CA: DoDAAC SW3215.
    (6) Defense Distribution Depot, Cherry Point, NC: DoDAAC SW3113.
    (7) Defense Distribution Depot, Columbus, OH: DoDAAC SW0700.
    (8) Defense Distribution Depot, Corpus Christi, TX: DoDAAC W45H08 
or SW3222.
    (9) Defense Distribution Depot, Hill, UT: DoDAAC SW3210.
    (10) Defense Distribution Depot, Jacksonville, FL: DoDAAC SW3122.
    (11) Defense Distribution Depot, Oklahoma City, OK: DoDAAC SW3211.
    (12) Defense Distribution Depot, Norfolk, VA: DoDAAC SW3117.
    (13) Defense Distribution Depot, Puget Sound, WA: DoDAAC SW3216.
    (14) Defense Distribution Depot, Red River, TX: DoDAAC W45G19 or 
SW3227.
    (15) Defense Distribution Depot, Richmond, VA: DoDAAC SW0400.
    (16) Defense Distribution Depot, San Diego, CA: DoDAAC SW3218.
    (17) Defense Distribution Depot, Tobyhanna, PA: DoDAAC W25G1W or 
SW3114.
    (18) Defense Distribution Depot, Warner Robins, GA: DoDAAC SW3119.
    (19) Air Mobility Command Terminal, Charleston Air Force Base, 
Charleston, SC: Air Terminal Identifier Code CHS.
    (20) Air Mobility Command Terminal, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA: 
Air Terminal Identifier Code NGU.
    (21) Air Mobility Command Terminal, Travis Air Force Base, 
Fairfield, CA: Air Terminal Identifier Code SUU.

PART 252--[AMENDED]

0
3. Section 252.211-7006 is amended as follows:
0
a. By revising the clause date;
0
b. In paragraph (a), by revising the definition of ``Passive RFID 
tag''; and
0
c. By revising paragraphs (b) through (e) to read as follows:


252.211-7006  Radio Frequency Identification.

* * * * *
    RADIO FREQUENCY IDENTIFICATION (MAY 2006)
    (a) * * *
    Passive RFID tag means a tag that reflects energy from the reader/
interrogator or that receives and temporarily stores a small amount of 
energy from the reader/interrogator signal in order to generate the tag 
response.
    (1) Until September 30, 2006, the acceptable tags are--
    (i) EPC Class 0 passive RFID tags that meet the EPCglobal Class 0 
specification; and
    (ii) EPC Class 1 passive RFID tags that meet the EPCglobal Class 1 
specification. This includes both the Generation 1 and Generation 2 
Class 1 specifications.
    (2) Beginning October 1, 2006, the only acceptable tags are EPC 
Class 1 passive RFID tags that meet the EPCglobal Class 1 Generation 2 
specification. Class 0 and Class 1 Generation 1 tags will no longer be 
accepted after September 30, 2006.
* * * * *
    (b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this clause, the 
Contractor shall affix passive RFID tags, at the case and palletized 
unit load packaging levels, for shipments of items that--
    (i) Are in any of the following classes of supply, as defined in 
DoD 4140.1-R, DoD Supply Chain Materiel Management Regulation, 
AP1.1.11:
    (A) Subclass of Class I--Packaged operational rations.
    (B) Class II--Clothing, individual equipment, tentage, 
organizational tool kits, hand tools, and administrative and 
housekeeping supplies and equipment.
    (C) Class IIIP--Packaged petroleum, lubricants, oils, 
preservatives, chemicals, and additives.
    (D) Class IV--Construction and barrier materials.
    (E) Class VI--Personal demand items (non-military sales items).
    (F) Subclass of Class VIII--Medical materials (excluding 
pharmaceuticals, biologicals, and reagents).
    (G) Class IX--Repair parts and components including kits, 
assemblies and subassemblies, reparable and

[[Page 29087]]

consumable items required for maintenance support of all equipment, 
excluding medical-peculiar repair parts; and
    (ii) Are being shipped to any of the following locations:
    (A) Defense Distribution Depot, Susquehanna, PA: DoDAAC W25G1U or 
SW3124.
    (B) Defense Distribution Depot, San Joaquin, CA: DoDAAC W62G2T or 
SW3224.
    (C) Defense Distribution Depot, Albany, GA: DoDAAC SW3121.
    (D) Defense Distribution Depot, Anniston, AL: DoDAAC W31G1Z or 
SW3120.
    (E) Defense Distribution Depot, Barstow, CA: DoDAAC SW3215.
    (F) Defense Distribution Depot, Cherry Point, NC: DoDAAC SW3113.
    (G) Defense Distribution Depot, Columbus, OH: DoDAAC SW0700.
    (H) Defense Distribution Depot, Corpus Christi, TX: DoDAAC W45H08 
or SW3222.
    (I) Defense Distribution Depot, Hill, UT: DoDAAC SW3210.
    (J) Defense Distribution Depot, Jacksonville, FL: DoDAAC SW3122.
    (K) Defense Distribution Depot, Oklahoma City, OK: DoDAAC SW3211.
    (L) Defense Distribution Depot, Norfolk, VA: DoDAAC SW3117.
    (M) Defense Distribution Depot, Puget Sound, WA: DoDAAC SW3216.
    (N) Defense Distribution Depot, Red River, TX: DoDAAC W45G19 or 
SW3227.
    (O) Defense Distribution Depot, Richmond, VA: DoDAAC SW0400.
    (P) Defense Distribution Depot, San Diego, CA: DoDAAC SW3218.
    (Q) Defense Distribution Depot, Tobyhanna, PA: DoDAAC W25G1W or 
SW3114.
    (R) Defense Distribution Depot, Warner Robins, GA: DoDAAC SW3119.
    (S) Air Mobility Command Terminal, Charleston Air Force Base, 
Charleston, SC: Air Terminal Identifier Code CHS.
    (T) Air Mobility Command Terminal, Naval Air Station, Norfolk, VA: 
Air Terminal Identifier Code NGU.
    (U) Air Mobility Command Terminal, Travis Air Force Base, 
Fairfield, CA: Air Terminal Identifier Code SUU.
    (2) Bulk commodities are excluded from the requirements of 
paragraph (b)(1) of this clause.
    (c) The Contractor shall ensure that--
    (1) The data encoded on each passive RFID tag are unique (i.e., the 
binary number is never repeated on any and all contracts) and conforms 
to the requirements in paragraph (d) of this clause;
    (2) Each passive tag is readable; and
    (3) The passive tag is affixed at the appropriate location on the 
specific level of packaging, in accordance with MIL-STD-129 (Section 
4.9.2) tag placement specifications.
    (d) Data syntax and standards. The Contractor shall encode an 
approved RFID tag using the instructions provided in the most recent 
EPCTM Tag Data Standards document, available at http://www.epcglobalinc.org/standards_technology/specifications.html.
    (1) If the Contractor is an EPCglobalTM subscriber and 
possesses a unique EPCTM company prefix, the Contractor may 
use any of the identity types and encoding instructions described in 
the most recent EPCTM Tag Data Standards document to encode 
tags.
    (2) If the Contractor chooses to employ the DoD Identity Type, the 
Contractor shall use its previously assigned Commercial and Government 
Entity (CAGE) Code and shall encode the tags in accordance with the tag 
identity type details located at http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/tag_data.htm. If the Contractor uses a third party packaging house to 
encode its tags, the CAGE code of the third party packaging house is 
acceptable.
    (3) Regardless of the selected encoding scheme, the Contractor is 
responsible for ensuring that each tag contains a globally unique 
identifier.
    (e) Receiving report. The Contractor shall electronically submit 
advance shipment notice(s) with the RFID tag identification (specified 
in paragraph (d) of this clause) in advance of the shipment in 
accordance with the procedures at http://www.acq.osd.mil/log/rfid/advance_shipment_ntc.htm.
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 06-4682 Filed 5-18-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-P