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Frequently Asked Questions

Listed below are answers to some frequently asked questions. Answers about more specific topics are available in the Knowledge Base located in our Customer Center (available to registered users).   For technical assistance call 760-788-3032, or click here to create a support case.   Note: We are in the process of adding articles to our Knowledge Base. If you would like to assist us by suggesting an article, please click here to send us a note.

Popular Topics

Mil-Std-129 - Information about Mil-Pac Compliance with Mil-Std-129.

Unit Containers as Exterior Containers?

Please refer to Mil-Std 129P(4), para 3.12, 4.1.1, and 4.4.1.9. These paragraphs indicate that when the Unit Container serves as the Exterior Container, Exterior Container marking will apply. This also applies to RFID marking. DCMA Packaging Specialists can be a resource to gain official government guidance. Their contact information is on the Resources page.

Item Description Does Not Print on Exterior Labels

Std-Barc does not print the item description on exterior container formats to maintain compliance with Mil-Std-129P:

4.1.2. Identification marking information on exterior containers and unpacked items (see Figure 1). Unless specifically exempted in the contract or solicitation, the following minimum identification information shall be marked on all exterior containers and unpacked items, in the order listed.

4.1.2.d. Item description or nomenclature (for hazardous items and ammunition and explosives only (see 4.1.1d)).

It is possible to include the Noun on the printed label by placing it in the Additional Info field, or by using HazMat version of the label (129HXC or 129HXCSN).

Can the new 2D symbol be used in place of all linear barcodes?

The new 2D (PDF417) symbol introduced in Change Notice 4 is required when UIDs are shipped. It can used on other shipments as well, serving to replace the five to ten linear barcodes possible on a container.

4.4 Identification linear (Code 39) and 2D (PDF417) bar code markings ... For shipments of UII items, the 2D (PDF417) symbol shall be used for listing the concatenated UIIs (DI 25S) and the data normally included in the linear (Code 39) identification bar codes (see 4.4.2.3 and 4.4.3.3.1). Application of the linear bar codes is not required when the 2D (PDF417) identification symbol is used. For shipments of other than UII items, use of the 2D (PDF417) symbol for identification marking is optional.

Are Shipment and CLIN Barcodes Required on Unit Container Labels?

No. These barcodes are required by Change Notice 4 for exterior containers, but not for unit container labels. This is illustrated by Figure 1, in Mil-Std-129P(4), and more precisely spelled out by para 4.4.1.1 and 4.4.1.2.

The Std-Barc label doesn't look like the illustration in Mil-Std-129

The diagrams in Mil-Std 129 are intended only to be illustrations of the requirements and are not of themselves the requirements. For instance, look at paragraph 4.1 on page 21 (pdf page 39) immediately above Figure 1, which states:

"The exact placement of identification and bar code markings on specific containers may vary in configuration and format from those shown in the figures."

DCMA Packaging Specialists are excellent resources for guidance on specific Mil-Std 129 requirements. Contact information for these specialists are on the Resources page.

What does UID have to do with Mil-Std-129, how does it differ from RFID?

The Unique Identifier (UID) is a permanent marking applied to directly to an item. Radio-Frequency (RF) ID is another means of identifying a box, pallet or other container. RFIDs are associated with UIDs only as long as the marked item is in the RFID-tagged container. Each UID in an RFID-tagged container must be identified and this data submitted to Wide-Area Workflow (WAWF). More information on UID and RFID can be obtained from the respective program management office (PMO) links found on the Resources page.

With Change Notice 4 to Mil-Std-129, UIDs must also be identified on the unit, intermediate and exterior containers in a 2D PDF417 symbol, which is different than the 2D DataMatrix symbol used for the UID itself.

RFID - Information about compliance with the DOD Radio Frequency Identification Initiative.

Is RFID Required on Fast Pay Contracts?

RFID is not required Fast Pay contracts. It is specifically excluded from the DFARs clause requiring RFID. Per DFARs 252.211-7006 (b)(2): The following are excluded from the requirements of paragraph (b)(1) of this clause: (ii) Shipments to locations other than Defense Distribution Depots when the contract includes the clause at FAR 52.213-1, Fast Payment Procedures.

Is RFID Required In WAWF Prior to Acceptance of Shipments?

RFID data input to WAWF is not a condition of acceptance of shipments. However, RFID must be present in WAWF at the time shipments arrive at the depot, in order to facilitate the receipt of the shipment. Consistent failure in this regard may result in increased surveillance on the contractors shipping process. RFID may be applied to shipments after acceptance by the government and uploaded to WAWF after the shipment takes place. This is borne out by the following instructions on the WAWF web site:

WAWF Web Site (25 Jul 2008)  In order to expedite receipt and vendor payment, contractors should generate the Advance Shipment Notice within 2 days of shipping the material. Material items received with RFID tag information prior to an Advance Shipment Notice will be subject to receive a Supply Discrepancy Report(SDR).

Value-Added Network (VAN) - The role of a VAN in the DOD Supply Chain.

What is a VAN and how does it help me?

Value-Added Networks are electronic post offices for routing electronic transactions between business systems. They are much like a specialized email systems, sending electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions instead of email.

The DOD uses EDI to distribute purchase orders, logistics information, etc, and to route receiving reports and invoices to Wide-Area Workflow (WAWF). Some government systems require a VAN, but most, like WAWF and DIBBS, provide other means of performing the same function. However, EDI-based transactions are one of the most efficient means of communicating large amounts of data, such as that related to UID and RFID compliance.

DIBBS Automated Contract Delivery

To begin the flow of DIBBS contract data to Mil-Pac software, contact Mr. Shawn Schartiger, 614.692.1057, Shawn.Schartiger@dla.mil. You will need to provide the following information. CAGE code: Your Company Name: ISA qualifier: ISA ID: GS ID: VAN: Mil-Pac Technology This information is provided to you in the Mil-Pac Technology VAN setup email.

DoD eMall Automated Contract Delivery

The correct procedure to begin getting contract data for eMall orders is to contact your eMall Supplier Account Manager (SAM). If you don't know who that is, you can contact the eMall help desk directly at emall.vendors@dla.mil or 1-877-DLA-CALL / 1-877-352-2255.

Vista Compatibility - Successfully running Mil-Pac software on Vista.

Vista is not completely backward compatible with software products based on technologies used by some current production versions of Mil-Pac software. Mil-Pac software compatibility with Vista versions is shown below:

Vista Aero Glass - Vista uses a new feature called Aero Glass. Aero Glass changes how software windows display. Symptoms that indicate that a program is incompatible with Aero Glass include any of the following:
  • A flickering screen
  • Desktop and window artifacts
  • A program window not painting correctly on the screen
  • A program window not painting at all and possibly causing a black window
  • Checkboxes not displaying

    To make Mil-Pac software display properly in Windows Vista, follow these steps:

    1. In the Programs list, right-click the program that you are configuring, and then click Properties.
    2. On the Compatibility tab, click to select the Disable desktop composition check box.

    When you select the Disable desktop composition option in the program properties, Windows Vista disables Aero Glass every time that you run the program. Aero Glass is re-enabled when the program is closed.