DoD UID Overview

DoD requirements for UID, IUID and defense inventory

The DoD UID program, or the Department of Defense’s unique identification program, is the inventory management system within the Defense Supply Chain. The program was put into effect to improve the inventory tracking of the DoD’s personal property, real property personnel and roles.

IUID, or Item Unique Identification, is a part of the DoD UID program that focuses on the DoD’s personal property. In order to comply, the DoD requirement states that all qualifying items must be marked with a permanent 2D DataMatrix that is encoded with a Unique Item Identifier (UII). The UII is a unique set of data elements that is distinguishes an item from all others. It can be applied to the item using a label, tag, band or identification plate. Each item’s UII is also stored in the IUID Registry to allow the DoD to accurately track its inventory.

The DoD IUID program was intended to bring the following benefits to the defense community:

• Item visibility regardless of platform or “owner”
• Lower item management costs
• Item data necessary for top-level logistics and engineering analysis
• Accurate sources for property and equipment valuation/accountability
• Access to historical data for use during systems design and throughout the life of an item
• Better item intelligence for the warfighter for operation planning
• Reduced workforce burden through increased productivity and efficiency

Learn more about the DoD UID program and how to comply:

• What is Unique Identification (UID)?
• What requires Item Unique Identification (IUID)?
• DoD Requirements: How do I comply with DoD UID