1. National Stock Number (NSN)
The
National Stock Number (NSN)
Edward Bartha
September 11, 2018

2. Doing Business with the Government
Register and Obtain a Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number
Submit a request in System for Award Management (SAM) for a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
Consider applying for a Joint Certification Program Number (JCP)

3. What is a NSN?
A National Stock Number or also known as a NATO Stock Number (NSN) is the official label applied to an item of supply that is repeatedly procured, stocked, stored, issued, and used throughout the federal supply system.
Today there are over 7 million active NSNs in the Federal Supply System.
NSN data is stored in the Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS)
A National Stock Number is simply the official label applied to an item of supply that is repeatedly procured, stocked, stored, issued, and used throughout the federal supply system. It is a unique item identifying series of numbers. When a NSN is assigned to an item of supply, data is assembled to describe the item. Some data elements include information such as an item name, manufacturer's REF NUM, unit price, and physical and performance characteristics. NSNs are an essential part of the logistics supply chain used in managing, moving, storing, and disposing of material.
NSNs are used to identify and manage nearly every imaginable item, from aircraft parts to light bulbs. The use of NSNs facilitates the standardization of item names, supply language, characteristics and management data and aids in reducing duplicate items in the federal inventory. It also helps to standardize the military requirements for testing and evaluation of potential items of supply, as well as identifying potential duplicate items.
The NSN is officially recognized by the United States government, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and many governments around the world. Federal Agencies, including the Department of Defense (DOD), use the NSN to buy and manage billions of dollars worth of supplies yearly. Currently, there are over 9 million NSNs in the federal supply system.
-7,030,087 Active NSNs (as of 2/27/18)
-9.4M Inactive NSNs

4. NSN Structure
The NSN is a 13-digit code composed of several sections, as identified below.
FSG 35: Hardware and Abrasives
FSC 5310: Nuts and Washers
The NSN is a 13-digit code, and it is depicted as: NUT,SELF-LOCKING,HEXAGON
The first four digits of the NSN are known as the Federal Supply Class (FSC). For example, 5310 is the FSC for Nuts and Washers. The next two digits make up the Country of Origin code, this code signifies the country that originally assigned the NSN. Codes 00 and 01 are both used to identify the United States. The remaining seven digits are sequentially assigned and are unique to each NSN.

5. NATO Codification System

6. NSN – Single Item Of Supply
History drove legislation…Defense Cataloging and Standardization Act of 1952 to improve the ability to share supplies across the Department of Defense (DOD)
SHIM
Stock No.2
WASHER
Stock No. 3
SPACER
Stock No. 4
SHIM
Stock No. 1
SPACER
Stock No. 5
Problem…multiple stock numbers, weapon systems, and names resulted in
multiple buying activities and lack of interoperability / asset visibility
Solution…A single catalog system as the DOD item master,
Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS) and a
single item of supply identification “National Stock Number”
NSNs are assigned at the request of military / government users
An example on how the military services are cataloging a material prior to the Defense Cataloging and Standardization Act of A single Item of Supply is given multiple Name and Stock Number. . .

7. NSN – Total Item Record (TIR)
example
As you can see from this NSN example from the WebFLIS record, the U.S. Navy (DN) and the United Kingdom (ZK) , are registered entity-users.
There are also several Reference Numbers, Item of Production, associated to the NSN.
The REF NUM/s on the NSN assignment request is assigned a Reference Number Category Codes (RNCC) and Reference Number Variation Codes (RNVC) which signifies if the Item is: Item Identifying, Procurable as a Primary (Design Control/Manufacturer) or Secondary (Distributor) Buy, Obsolete, etc.
One or more REF NUMs, i.e. Item of Production can be associated with an NSN – Item of Supply as long as they meet the same Form-Fit-Function.

8. NSN Assignment – Request - When
Authorized requirement for an item has been identified as needed:
Provisioning; a new weapon system is deployed by a military service
Demand Planning; a non-stocked item is repeatedly ordered
Requested by an authorized submitter
Military Services and Federal Agencies will process the request for cataloging action IAW DoD policies and procedures
Whenever a new weapon system is developed, the DoD Component responsible for the new weapon system will identify the spares needed to maintain the weapon system throughout the life cycle. Spares that do not have NSNs assigned are identified and requests for NSN assignment are sent to the DLA by the DoD Component. In turn, the DLA Cataloging Directorate will processes the requests by assigning new NSNs.
Once a requirement for an item has been identified as needed via.…
Provisioning - new item that is associated with the acquisition of a new end item/weapon system as a part of provisioning for that end item/weapon system
Demand Planning - CAGE and Part Number (PN) to NSN Assignment: When a PN item is requisitioned two or more times in 6 months, the Item user can send a request to the national item manager, i.e., supported weapons system IM, ESA, Provisioner, Material Master Cell to review the item to determine if it qualifies for NSN assignment. If the Item is qualified for NSN assignment, the responsible DoD entity will submit the request via Service ERP or DLA Electronic Cataloging for an NSN assignment.

9. NSN Assignment Request
Private industry, i.e. Manufacturers and Distributors must be sponsored by one of the below authorized submitters:
DOD Component
Federal/Civil agency
International partner
Contractor Supported Weapon Systems
Manufacturers and Distributors are NOT authorized to submit their CAGE and Part Number to DLA to be added to the NSN or request a NSN
Manufacturers and suppliers do not have the authority to request a NSN. This is usually accomplished once a requirement/need for that manufacturer's/supplier's item has been identified by a military service, NATO country, federal/civil agency or various Contractor Support Weapons Systems (CSWS) managed by a contractor. Requests are then forwarded thru the appropriate supply chain for cataloging and then forwarded to DLA Cataloging for NSN assignment.
As part of the NSN Assignment process, the DOD Components must provide to the DLA Cataloging Technical Documents, Drawings and other supporting documentation which provides item-identifying characteristics and other logistics management data for the Item being catalogued.
Each DoD Component/Federal Agency has designated personnel with decision making authority for NSN assignment requests

10. NSN – How to Find a Sponsor
Army:
USMC: Business-Programs-OSBP/
Navy:
Air Force:
Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD):
DLA:
GSA: government
PTAC:
Manufacturer and Suppliers can also respond to solicitations for bid at:
Manufacturers and distributors can have their products sponsored into the federal supply system by selling to DoD and Federal Agencies
Once DoD or a Federal Agency adopts the item of supply, it would be their responsibility to submit the NSN assignment request to DLA.

11. Tailored Logistics Support Program (TLSP)
Features
“One Stop Shopping”
24/7 Vendor Support
Routine/Emergency Delivery
Electronic Ordering
Consolidated Billing
Name Brand Products
Value-Added Services
Surge/Contingency Coverage
Tailored Vendor Logistics Specialist
Leveraged Buying
Benefits
Improved pricing through competition
Improved access to wide range of high-quality commercial products
Reduced overhead charges
Reduction in manpower needed to manage items
Elimination of DLA inventory investment
Reduction in infrastructure costs
Improved Logistics Response Time (LRT)
Procurement vehicle that utilizes commercial industry capabilities to efficiently acquire Fire & Emergency Services Equipment (FESE) and Special Operational Equipment (SOE)

12. Special Operations Equipment
Survival Gear and Equipment Kits
Tactical Equipment
Personal Protection Equipment (gloves, spectacles, goggles, etc.)
Protective Eyewear and Vision Enhancing Equipment
Escalation of Force Equipment
Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS)
Scuba Gear and Miscellaneous Diving Equipment
Thermal Protection Equipment
Surface Supplied Diving Equipment
Communication Devices (such as walkie-talkies, two-way radios, etc.)
Compressors and Air Purification Systems
Hyperbaric Instrumentation & Equipment and Saturation Equipment
Lifesaving/Search and Rescue Equipment
Air Crew Support and Flight Deck Safety Items
Underwater Tools
Protective Gear, Miscellaneous Apparel, Clothing and Textiles
Load Carrying Equipment (vests, backpack systems, trunk lockers, etc.)
Lethality Support Items (slings, holsters, straps, fasteners, reflective belts, etc.)
Mountain Climbing Equipment

13. Fire Emergency Services Equipment
Firefighting (hoses, hose fittings, tools, gloves, ladders, burn houses, etc.)
Safety (goggles, warning signs, protective clothing, etc.)
Rescue (harnesses, propel gear, extraction equip., jaws of life, etc.)
Environmental (CBRN items)
Hazardous material (HAZMAT) (decontamination equip)
Domestic preparedness (alert systems)
First responder (communication and rescue equip.)
Search and rescue (rescue vehicles, harnesses, ropes, etc.)
Other emergency response equipment

14. Participating Vendors
Atlantic Diving Supply, Inc. (ADS)
Virginia Beach, VA
Web Address:
Phone number:
Federal Resources Supply Company
Stevensville, MD
Web Address:
Phone number:
Quantico Tactical 9750 Aberdeen Road
Aberdeen, NC
Web Address:
Phone number:
Source One Distributors Inc.
Wellington, FL
Web Address:
Phone number:
Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc (TSSI) Harrisonburg, VA
Web Address:
Phone number: TSSI
W.S. Darley & Co
Itasca, IL
Web Address:
Phone number:
Note: Vendors may change yearly, contact Mr. Turner for an updated listing.

15. Tailored Logistics Support Program
TLSP Contact: Mr. Dan Turner
Phone:
Fire & Emergency Services (FES) Equipment
Special Operational Equipment (SOE)
Tents, Shelters & Accessories

16. NSN – How to Update Data
Interactive Government Industry Reference Data Edit and Review (iGIRDER)
You have an NSN and would like to update your reference number (CAGE + Part Number)
Manufacturers, Vendors, and Suppliers have the ability to review and update their product information and Reference Numbers by registering with the Interactive Government Industry Data Edit Review (iGIRDER).
iGIRDER web page:
Interactive Government Industry Data Edit Review (iGIRDER) is a manufacturers tool (database) that allows manufacturers, vendors and suppliers the ability to review and (or) update product information that is recorded in the Federal Catalog System (FCS).
provides government contractors, manufacturers, vendors, and suppliers the ability to review and/or update product information used by Federal and Civil activities will accept both government and commercial reference data
offers industry a link to the Federal Catalog System (FCS) in support of Department of Defense (DOD) and Civil Agency supply chain requirements
in cooperation with Government vendors and manufacturers, has facilitated over four million corrections and/or verifications to product information contained in the Federal Catalog
is an effective tool in controlling National Stock Number (NSN) proliferation between the military services and the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA)

17. iGIRDER Screenshots
Registration questions,

18. NSN – Ways to Access Data
Public Logistics (PUB LOG) Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS) Search
mationServices/FOIAReading.aspx
FedMall provides visibility to customers looking to purchase an item (replaced DOD EMALL)
Contains all active DLA managed NSNs
Better advantage if you have fully described items
Link,
Public Logistics Data on Mobile Media (PUB LOG) Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS) Search is an Information Operations web service intended for use by public entities requiring information about supply items including National Stock Number (NSN), Item Name, Reference/Part Numbers, Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) codes and other Federal logistics data. Available for download from the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Electronic Reading Room, PUB LOG FLIS Search requires no subscription or Common Access Card (CAC) authorization.

19. Place the icon on your computer desktop from folder
PUB LOG FLIS Search
Place the icon on your computer desktop from folder

20. Search Options (FLIS & CAGE)

21. Identification Table
H6 Item Name Directory: Defines item names and cross references them to the Item Name Code (INC)

22. Acquisition Method Code / Acquisition Method Suffix Code
MOE Rule Table
Acquisition Method Code / Acquisition Method Suffix Code
Major Organization Entity (MOE) Rule: Recorded / Authorized users of the NSN
AMC 3: Acquire directly from the actual manufacturer
AMSC Z: Commercial / Non-Development / Off-the-Shelf Item

23. Reference Data Table
RNSC: Reference Number Status; A code specifying whether and under which conditions manufacturer and reference number are authorized for procurement.
RNSC B: Not authorized for procurement
RNCC 5 / RNVC 9: Obsolete part

24. RNCC / RNVC Combinations
Definition 3 2
Primary Reference Number (RN) which is item identifying - OEM
Primary vendor RN on a source control item with is item identifying, reparable 5
Secondary RN which is item identifying - Distributor 1
Secondary RN which is non-item identifying without the use of additional information 9
RN which is cancelled as obsolete or superseded; retained 7
Vendor item drawing number which is item identifying (must have a 3/2 reference number assigned)
Definitive RN (authoritative) developed from a government spec or standard 4
Non-definitive RN developed from a government spec or standard D
Identifies a drawing – for informational purpose only E 8
RN which has transferred to the replacement NSN as a result of a Cancel use Action

25. Management Data

26. Item Characteristics Master Requirement Codes (MRCs)
Item Name Code (INC): (non-approved item name)
Item Identification Guides (IIG) is the listing that outlines the characteristics data requirements for an Approved Item Names to accurately describe Items of Supply.
Importance of a complete Technical Data Package / Drawing

27. DLA Customer Interaction Center
The DLA Customer Interaction Center (CIC)
is your
“One Call Resolution” point of contact for all logistics issues from acquisition to disposition.
We’re here for you 24 x 7 x 365 days a year!
Toll Free: DLA-CALL ( ) Commercial:
DSN: CONUS
OCONUS xx
Commercial Fax: