The Defense Standardization Program (DSP) is in charge of standardization throughout the Department of Defense (DoD) to reduce costs and improve operational effectiveness and is governed by DoD Manual 4120.24. The program is run by the DoD Standardization Program Office (DSPO). The documents they develop include DoD or federal specifications or standards, military specifications, military standards, military handbooks, commercial item descriptions (CIDs), qualified product lists (QPLs), qualified manufacturers lists (QMLs), guide specifications, Joint Service Specification Guides, Data Item Descriptions (DIDs), and other documents used in the Defense Standardization Program, such as international standardization agreements and DoD notices of adoption of non-Government standards. [2]
The following websites are databases for Mil-Standards, Specifications, and other standardization documentation. [2]
- EverySpec.com
- US DoD ASSIST (CAC Card Needed)
- DoD Standardization Program Office (DSPO)
A few of the programs that the DSPO run are:
- Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS)
- Government-Industry Data Exchange Program
- Item Reduction Program
- Defense Standardization Program Office (DSPO) International Standardization Program
- Defense Parts Management Program
- Qualified Product Management Council (QPMC)
The Standardization Template was developed by the DSPO to help DoD Standardization Management Activities and other DoD organizations engaged in making standardization decisions. The Template helps a user to make an informed decision by assessing: [2]
- Standardization opportunities,
- Standardization decision processes, and
- Implementation of the standardization decision.
Standardization is the process of developing and implementing technical standards. The process establishes a common agreement for engineering criteria, terms, principles, practices, materials, items, processes, and equipment parts, and components. Supply managers need to understand standardization before purchasing products. An organization can benefit from standardization because it: [1,3]
- Enables mass production
- Enables customization
- Improves supplier coordination
- Improves quality
- Enables simplification
- Enables delayed differentiation
- Lowers inventories
AcqLinks and References:
- DoD Manual 4120.24 “Defense Standardization Program (DSP)” – 15 Oct 2018
- Old: DoD Instruction 4120.24 “Defense Standardization Program (DSP)” – 13 June 2011
- DSP Standardization Template
- SD-22 “DoD Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages Guidebook” – Aug 2012
- Website: [1] Wikipedia – Standardization
- Website: [2] DoD Standardization Program
- [3] Burt, Petcavage, and Pinkerton, “Supply Management” McGraw-Hill 2010
Updated: 5/22/2019
