TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Air Platform, Battlespace, Chemical/Biological Defense, Ground/Sea Vehicles, Human Systems, Materials/Processes, Nuclear Technology, Sensors, Space Platforms, Weapons
OBJECTIVE: The Department of Defense (DOD) establishes internal DOD policies for detecting, avoiding, and remediating counterfeit parts in the DOD supply chain, and allocates responsibility among various DOD offices and functions for administering or developing those counterfeit prevention policies. Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 4140.67, titled “DoD Counterfeit Prevention Policy,” was issued on April 26, 2013, and prescribes the federal government’s efforts to deal with the epidemic of counterfeit parts that led to the inclusion of a provision specifically targeted at counterfeit electronic parts in the fiscal year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) understands the challenges for our Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and Distributors that make up our supply base with regard to the development and implementation of technological solutions for counterfeit prevention. In an effort to meet the DODI 4140.67, DLA would like to explore technologies in tamper resistance/anti-counterfeit package labeling technologies.
DESCRIPTION: Identify and demonstrate a labelling technology that is applicable across the majority of packaging types for materiel that DLA buys. Demonstrate the technologies capability to detect the application of counterfeit labels or tampered packaging to prevent counterfeit materiel from entering the supply chain without more thorough inspection. The technology should be affordable and be able to detect tampered or counterfeit package labels at DLA’s supply centers and authorized dealers. Establish methods to identify compromised package labels and assess whether the package label is valid. At a minimum, the technology must be effective in preventing counterfeits by reliably authenticating items that have no evidence of tampering and have valid labeling. Anti-Counterfeiting features and tamper evident features may include, for example:
Quick Response (QR) code – A QR code which can be scanned using a QR reader on a phone will take the user to a website page for validation
Print Feature – Deliberate print markings that a counterfeiter may not think to replace
Cold Foiling – Silver foil applied to a package making it more of a challenge to counterfeit
Void Material – Upon peeling back the label material wording such as “VOID” can appear indicating that the packaging has been tampered with
Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags – hidden under labels
Thermochromatic ink – exposure to heat will make print features appear of disappear
2D Matrix – Information encoded text in black and white “cells” arranged in a square
Microtext – Text that is printed so almost imperceptible to the human eye and only legible through a magnifying glass
Holograms – Contains features that are hard to replicate by counterfeiters
Fluorescent Inks – UV light reveals hidden code
PHASE I: The research and development goals of Phase I is to present a technology preferably used as an industry best practice. Examine the feasibility of implementing the technology for DLA’s supply chain through analysis or proof of concept. Prepare a test plan that demonstrates the technologies tamper and counterfeit detection capabilities. The small business firm shall deliver a report that presents the results of the demonstration, describes how the technology might be implemented at DLA, examines the level of detection and reliability of the technology to support the objective as well as the benefit associated with of implementation.
PHASE II: Based on the results achieved in Phase I, DLA Logistics Operations will decide whether to continue the effort based on the technical, commercial merit, and feasibility of the proposed solution.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: At this point, no specific funding is associated with Phase III. The vendor will use its solution and quantifiable results to build a compelling business case where the agency may choose to pursue a sole source contract utilizing the technology developed through the Phase I and Phase II effort.
The developer will pursue dual commercialization of the various technologies and processes developed in prior Phases. Potential commercial uses in manufacturing mechanical parts or materials, labels, and other items determined to be at high risk for counterfeiting
REFERENCES:
DoDI 4140.67, April 26, 2013, DoD Counterfeit Prevention Policy
KEYWORDS: Tamper Resistant, Anti-Counterfeit, Package Labeling, Packaging, Quick Response (QR) code, Print Feature, Cold Foiling, Void Material, Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, Thermo-chromatic ink, 2D Matrix, Holograms, Fluorescent Inks
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