DMSMS Transformation: Sustaining the Lighter, Faster Warfighter

BACKGROUND:
Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) is the loss or impending loss of manufacturers or suppliers of critical items and raw materials due to production discontinuance. DMSMS can be caused by rapid changes in item or material technology, uneconomical production requirements, foreign source competition, federal environmental or safety requirements, and limited availability or increasing cost of items and raw materials used in the manufacturing process. These problems can affect readiness and operating cost if left unresolved by increasing repair times and the cost of resolving the materiel shortage.

DMSMS problems are an increasing concern as the service lives of DoD weapon systems are extended and the product cycle times for high technology components decrease. The problem is further complicated by a reduction in the industrial base dedicated to production of military equipment. In fact, the DoD now accounts for less than one-half of one percent of total microelectronic component sales. In addition, aging fleets of ships and aircraft have lost their original supplier-base of constituent mechanical, hydraulic, and other component parts.

OBJECTIVE:
The objective of DMSMS 2002 is to focus on the transformation required within the DMSMS community to sustain and support the modern warfighter. With the emphasis of the DoD evolving to the “lighter, faster” strategy, our approaches to managing the ever-present obsolescence problem must be examined. As the military seeks a quicker, less burdensome warfighting capability, we must also implement processes and methodologies that respond to non-availability issues more rapidly and efficiently than in the past. Exploitation of modern information technology to anticipate problems and share solutions will become a requirement in the sustainment process.

This conference will present an opportunity to hear the views of military leaders on what will be required to sustain the modern warfighter and a forum to discuss the best programmatic, technical and logistical approaches for us to take.

NEW EVENTS:
With continuous improvement in mind, the 2002 conference will feature three new session events:

DMSMS Tutorial Session: The conference will feature a DMSMS Tutorial Session on Monday afternoon for those who are newcomers to the obsolescence arena or first-time participants of the conference. The DMSMS Tutorial will provide: a high-level overview of the current state of DMSMS as it pertains to military weapon systems, as well as the organizations and people intimately involved with DMSMS mitigation; an introduction of effective methods of managing and measuring DMSMS resolutions; and a discussion of current DMSMS issues that will be explored in many conference presentations and panel sessions.

Interactive Panel Sessions: In response to requests from past conference participants to engage in dialogue regarding DMSMS issues, three interactive panel sessions are planned. These sessions will allow conference participants to question panel members and express their own opinions on matters of interest.

Poster Session: To broaden our scope of discussions, a poster session is planned for Monday and Tuesday nights in the exhibition booth area. Participants will have an open forum to discuss other ideas and innovations within the DMSMS spectrum.

SPOUSE PARTICIPATION:
Badges and/or tickets will be required to attend all conference functions. Spouse/family members may attend the DMSMS 2002 Conference receptions on Monday and Wednesday nights. However, as a security precaution, we will require tickets be purchased for family members. Tickets may be purchased at the registration desk for $30, which will cover attendance at both the Monday and Wednesday receptions.

CALL FOR PAPERS:
POTENTIAL TOPICS:

TECHNOLOGY ISSUES:
· Advances in Emulation Techniques
· Ceramics
· Cost and Reliability Issues Associated with COTS
· Criteria for Selection of COTS
· Electronic Simulation
· Non-electronic Obsolescence
· Obsolescence Impacts on Passives
· Open Architecture Design
· Packaging
· Reverse Engineering
· Technology Forecasting
· Technology Insertion
· Technology Trends
· Up-Screening
· Use of VHDL as a Technology Independent Solution

MANAGERIAL and LOGISTICAL ISSUES:
· Acquisition and Mergers
· Best Managerial Practices
· Commercial Tools and Technologies
· Configuration Management
· Contractual Considerations
· Cooperative Efforts at DMSMS Management
· DMSMS in the Acquisition Process
· DMSMS in the Performance Specification
· DMSMS/Obsolescence Management Strategies
· Impacts of DoD Transformation on DMSMS Management
· Incorporation of the Depot into DMSMS
· Industrial Base Developments
· Industrial Trends
· International Issues and Perspectives
· Inventory Management at the DOD Level
· Program Costs of Obsolescence
· Weapon System Program Specific (F-16, B-2, MLRS, F-15, etc.)


Prospective speakers must submit unclassified abstracts of approximately 500 words. Abstracts should include the title, author(s) name(s), complete address, telephone number, and e-mail address, and must be received no later than August 31, 2001. Authors will be notified of paper acceptance no later than October 15, 2001. A final presentation in electronic format must be provided for inclusion into the final proceedings no later than February 15, 2002. Unclassified abstracts should be e-mailed to:

gary@smaplab.ri.uah.edu

or abstracts may be mailed to:

DMSMS Conference 2002
ATTN: Dr. Gary Maddux
Von Braun Research Hall E-47
The University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL 35899

PAPER/PRESENTATION GUIDELINES:
Papers and presentations must be provided electronically prior to the conference. While substantial freedom is granted authors in choosing their formats, a few restrictions will apply. All papers should be in either MS Word (*.doc) or portable document format (*.pdf). The preferred font size is 12, and there should be only one column per page.

All presentations should be prepared in MS PowerPoint. Presentations should use appropriate color combinations, i.e., black or dark blue background with white or yellow lettering. In addition, charts should contain NO MORE THAN seven bullets, or ten lines of text per page. Presentations that are quite large (greater than 5M) should be submitted via ZIP disk rather than e-mail.

ADMINISTRATION:
The overall administration of the conference, including registration, is being provided by The University of Alabama in Huntsville Systems Management and Production Lab. For registration information, you may contact the DMSMS 2002 Conference Telephone Hotline at: (256) 876-0635.

FOREIGN PARTICIPATION:
The DMSMS 2002 Conference is open to all U.S. citizens and non-citizens with a legitimate interest in helping the military mitigate its obsolescence issues. While no classified information will be discussed at the Conference, the DMSMS Conference Committee reserves the right to require non-U.S. citizens to provide documentation of their affiliation to a U.S. military program. This documentation may be via a letter on official military letterhead stating the registrant’s involvement in the specific military program, or from a military organization’s security office stating the registrant’s security status. Because of the time constraints in verifying this information, registration of non-U.S. citizens must occur before March 10, 2002 .

ACCOMMODATIONS:
The host hotel for the DMSMS 2002 Conference is the Hilton New Orleans Riverside at Two Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70140 ( Tel: 1-504-561-0500 Fax: 1-504-568-1721). Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, 3 blocks from the French Quarter, the hotel is within easy walking distance of the IMAX Theatre, the Aquarium of the Americas and the Riverwalk Festival Marketplace. In a well-lit and heavily traversed corner of the city, the Hilton Riverside offers a safe and secure environment for all attendees.

A block of rooms has been reserved at the Hilton for the event. Special pricing is in effect from Saturday, 23 March through Thursday, 28 March. Pricing is as follows:

Guestroom @ prevailing government per diem: $139 (single or double)
Guestroom for non-government: $159 (single or double)

Above rates are subject to applicable taxes, which includes a $3 city and occupancy tax that will be added with 12% sales tax. In order to receive government per diem rate and tax exempt status, attendee must present appropriate credentials.

Reservations must be received no later than February 28, 2002. Hotel reservations are made on a first come first serve basis and can be made at (504) 584-3999 or via the Internet at http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/hotels/index.jhtml?moreDesc=true&ctyhocn=MSYNHHH. When registering, please use code "DSM" (non-government) or "DSS" (government) to identify yourself for special rates. It is Hilton's policy that all credit cards used as first night's prepayment will be charged immediately. However, for the DMSMS 2002 Conference this prepayment requirement has been waived. If for some reason anyone is charged or is advised that they will be charged, please state that the prepayment requirement has been waived. Please note that since the deposit has been raised, the room is not guaranteed for late arrival. All attendees should be advised that if a credit card is not placed on the reservation, it is technically held until 4PM. After 4PM a credit card or deposit is needed to guarantee the reservation for late arrival. In order to receive a refund, individual reservations must be cancelled at least 72 hours prior to arrival. Individuals are responsible for their own charges.

New Orleans is served by the New Orleans International Airport. Due to the downtown location of the Hilton, it is recommended that attendees utilize public transportation from the airport. Restaurants, after-hours attractions, and shopping are available within easy walking distance of the conference hotel. Self-parking rates at the hotel are $20/night and valet is $25/night.

See you in N 'awlins,

Gary