ATF SUPPLY CHAIN & LIFE CYCLE MANAGEMENT

THE CHALLENGE:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is comprised of a set of sub-offices—each with its own specialized missions and requirements. In 2009, the ATF established a multi-year IDIQ uniform distribution contract in an effort to enhance the readiness of its operators with a more effective and efficient acquisition process. This contract instilled a single integrator to manage the supply chain, warehousing, inventory, ordering and fulfillment of the commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) tactical and operational equipment required across all ATF offices.

While the uniform distribution contract helped the ATF move toward achieving their goal of enhanced operator readiness, several issues and challenges with the current system quickly became apparent. There was a lack of inventory accuracy and accountability under the existing lead integrator and the performance goals originally set for the program were not being met. The ATF also identified two new capabilities they wanted to integrate into the acquisition system—life cycle management and ongoing emerging technology adoption.

The ATF needed an acquisition system capable of complete supply chain and life cycle management for all of their tactical and operational equipment requirements.

ADS was able to support their efforts and help them meet their mandated sources requirements at the same time. ADS Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) worked with ATF personnel to assess each of their office’s needs and create a consolidated list of equipment to offer through the acquisition system. We worked with our large network of industry-leading manufacturers to identify high quality, low-cost product options to fulfill their requirements.

Procedure:

• Integration
• Procurement
• Website Design & Development
• Total Asset Visibility
• Supply Chain Management
• Life Cycle Support
• Warehousing & Distribution

We introduced the ATF to one of our set-aside customers, GBS, LLC.—an Alaska Native Corporation. GBS specializes in government contracting and program management. By allowing them to apply their expertise as lead integrator and ADS to supply industry-leading equipment and support solutions, ATF Contracting Personnel were able to quickly formulate and award a sole source, 5-year, $30 Million IDIQ for the complete supply chain management, life cycle support and efficient, cost-effective acquisition solution they required.

We developed a web-based total asset visibility system to support their ordering and reporting requirements.

This all-in-one system provided users with the ability to easily place and process orders, accurately track warehouse inventory levels, and generate up-to-date reporting on user and item life cycles. We customized the system by categorizing ATF users into groups based on their office or assigned missions.

Each group was given the ability to order only the specific items relevant to their mission requirements. Items available through the system were programmed with time or quantity limits to ensure excess items were not being ordered outside of their expected life cycle. Finally, all users in the system were assigned to a specific “Super User” responsible for reviewing and approving orders before they were processed for fulfillment.

ADS and GBS worked together to provide ongoing support.

ADS logistics teams and GBS worked together at their 20,000 sq. ft. facility to manage day-to-day operations, maintain inventory levels, expedite order fulfillment, and provide ongoing support. As ATF orders were approved through the system, GBS and ADS logistics support teams would pick the items, package the orders and arrange for shipping directly to the user with a full bill of materials for simplified receiving and inventory control.

Our SMEs worked with ATF to identify emerging technology for future adoption.

In an ongoing effort to keep ATF operators informed about the latest cutting edge equipment innovations, our SMEs identified relevant emerging technologies, educated ATF leadership on the features and benefits, and coordinated with our contracting experts to ensure items of interest were approved for procurement through the total asset visibility system.