A clause in Defense Logistics Acquisition Directive (DLAD) 52.211-9074, which was expanded on November 7, requires SigNature DNA marking for procurements of items falling within Federal Supply Class 5962, Electronic Microcircuits. The requirement applies only to procurements made by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA).
A developing list of participating defense contractors will enable the military electronics supply chain to move toward compliance with the anti-counterfeiting language in Section 818 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (Section 818). A major deadline for Section 818, which imposes strict requirements for control of counterfeits, is due to be reached soon. In a press announcement released on October 31, DLA pointed to the connection between the mandate and the coming implementation of NDAA Section 818:
The new requirement also facilitates the goals of Congress to protect DoD's supply chains and national cybersecurity, which Congress outlined in the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. This requires DoD, as well as industry, to develop counterfeit item detection and prevention measures for electronic items.
In the same press announcement, DLA stressed the "broad implications" of its DNA marking mandate, stretching beyond electronics, saying:
DLA is initially targeting microelectronics, but the technology is used with other commodities commercially and has broad implications for other DLA products and equipment at risk for counterfeiting.
Applied DNA Sciences, Inc., a provider of DNA-based anti-counterfeiting technology, announced it has signed multiple contracts in support of the DLA mandate. The companies involved in these contracts have or will receive SigNature DNA and essential materials and services from APDN for DNA marking during or after manufacture. These steps will qualify them as SigNature DNA-compliant.
For distributors and others, a SigNature DNA provenance mark establishes traceability to the point of the mark, ensuring that the part can be tracked to a supplier.
APDN is suggesting that electronics companies check with suppliers to find whether they have joined the list of companies which are SigNature DNA-compliant.
"DLA, in its efforts to provide support to our war fighters, has worked for years to develop new technology and processes to mitigate counterfeit risk,” said Janice Meraglia, vice president, military and government programs for Applied DNA Sciences. “We are pleased to see these efforts materialized in the electronics industry, something which will benefit industry and national security."
