More than 4 million things are stored in the Defense Department’s supply system, with the Navy holding more than a million of these items. Basic knowledge of DOD supply system language and structure is required to order goods efficiently from this system. All things transported by the United States Government are named, described, classified, and numbered according to these standards. From the time an object is purchased until it is disposed of, only one unique identifying number is used.
Federal Supply Classification System
The Federal Supply Classification (FSC) System was created to classify all federal government-owned supplies. A separate FSC will be created for each piece of equipment or material. Two two-digit numeric numbers make up the Federal Supply Code (FSC). These are the Federal Supply Group and Federal Supply Class. According to their titles, each federal supply group’s commodities are classified.
An example of a class in the 6500 series Federal Supply Group, which is utilized for medical, dental, and veterinary supply equipment, is as follows.
Class | Equipment |
---|---|
6505 | Drugs and Biologicals – (Note-Only items specifically formulated for human use are appropriate to this class.) |
6508 | Medicated Cosmetics and Toiletries |
6509 | Drugs and Biologicals, Veterinary Use |
6510 | Surgical Dressing Materials |
6515 | Medical and Surgical Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies |
6520 | Dental Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies |
6525 | Imaging Equipment and Supplies: Medical, Dental, Veterinary |
6530 | Hospital Furniture, Equipment, Utensils, and Supplies |
6532 | Hospital and Surgical Clothing and Related Special Purpose Items |
6540 | Ophthalmic Instruments, Equipment, and Supplies |
6545 | Replenishable Field Medical Sets, Kits, and Outfits |
6550 | In Vitro Diagnostic Substances, Reagents, Test Kits, and Sets |