MIL STD 130

MIL STD 130

MIL-STD-130, "Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property," is a specification commonly used for giving directions on how to mark items sold to the Department of Defense DoD, including the recent addition, in about 2005, of UII unique identifier data matrix machine-readable information (MRI) requirements. MIL-STD-130 describes the materials allowed, minimum text size and fonts, format, syntax and rules for identifying marks on a part, where to locate this marking plus exceptions and unique situations, such as vehicle VIN numbers, cell phone IDs, etc. Other non-identifying markings such as "'this end up'" are covered under MIL-STD-129.

The purpose of the Department of Defense IUID Registry is to have a single location where everything they own is logged with purchase date, purchase price and dates when it was sent for repairs/refurbishment or taken out of commission. CLIN (contract line items) are entered automatically into the UID database if request for payment was made using a DD250 form and sent using the government portal WAWF. If there was any deviation from that, then 3rd party reporting software can be used to report.

Since 2005, MIL-STD-130 is most noted for the UID data matrix, which is a square, pixelated bar code that when scanned connects the DoD user immediately to the record in the DoD UID Database. The UII data matrix does not contain information in itself. The construction rules exist to achieve the desired goal of a truly unique number for all time. There are only several label-making software and a handful of scanner-verifiers on the market that achieve the required syntax of a DoD UID data matrix. There are also commercial data matrix that do not meet DoD standards, and the software that makes them is far less expensive; while they 'look' the same they will not pass verification (a MIL-STD-130 requirement).

When clauses DFARS 252.211-7003 ( or DFARS 252.211-7007 are in the contract, assets and personal properties priced at over $5,000 each on the contract or assets in the possession of the contractors costing over $5,000 must be marked with a unique serialized identification number in compliant with MIL-STD-130 either when the Gov. buys them or as they're serviced.

MIL-STD-130 standard requires qualifying government furnished property in possession of contractors (PIPC), and qualifying end item deliverables or legacy items to be marked with a machine readable 2D Data Matrix bar code. There are several allowed methods for marking, the most common being a polyester or polymide label marked with a thermal transfer printer (the cheapest is about $3,000). Other methods are: metal nameplate laser etched, metal plate metalphoto processed, direct part-marked by dot peen, ink jet, laser etch or chemical etch. The bar code must meet several quality specifications, pass a verification process with a grade of 'B' or better, and "be as permanent as the normal life expectancy of the item and be capable of withstanding the environmental tests and cleaning procedures specified for the item to which it is affixed". A full list of suggested marking methods are outlined in Table II of MIL-STD-130N.