United States Transportation Command

WASHINGTON (USTCNS) --- Defense Logistics Agency Director Vice Adm. Keith Lippert spoke about the DLA transformation and several other topics to more than 600 people Nov. 29 at the annual North American Defense Logistics Conference in Washington.

The transformation is not going to be done by DLA itself, he told the crowd at the Renaissance Hotel. The military services and U.S. Transportation Command are big partners in this. Together, we can make this system better and better by providing reliable, cost-efficient and high-quality material, services and information support through end-to-end supply chain integration. And were doing it.

He went on to speak about three of the 13 major transformation initiatives that by themselves are returning $3 billion to the services through reduced operating costs and greater efficiencies. The three initiatives Lippert spoke about included business systems modernization, base realignment and closure and the integrated data environment.

In speaking about BSM, Lippert noted that replacing the old system is long overdue. It was written in the '60s, implemented in the '70s and should have been retired in the '80s, he said.

The older, vintage systems will be replaced by a single commercial off-the-shelf system. As a result, cycle times will be reduced dramatically, and there will be significant savings in inventory and personnel. For DLA employees, BSM will provide training and opportunities to succeed in a new environment. The new system is expected to be fully operational by September 2006. BSM is a key enabler for achieving the goals of the DLA Strategic Plan, Department of Defense Logistics Strategic Plan and Joint Vision 2020.

Lippert addressed three BRAC recommendations, which will result in transformational change to the Agency. All depot-level reparable procurement, as well as the vast majority of consumable hardware items not currently managed by DLA, will transition to the Agency.

Additionally, management of repair depot supply operations will transition to DLA. Tires, compressed gases and pre-packaged petroleum products will transition to direct vendor delivery.

Integrated data environment was the final transformation initiative about which Lippert spoke. IDE will provide supply chain information technology linkages and single point of system access for DLAs internal processes, DOD-wide log data exchange interoperability and total asset visibility," he said. "It will also assure access to supply chain management data, centrally managed metadata, authoritative data sources and DoD logistics business rules.

In addition to the transformation initiatives, Lippert addressed DLAs growing role in natural disaster relief and noted several performance trends that highlight the Agencys successes.

In the three days after Hurricane Katrina hit, we were told it was now our problem," he said. "Over the next days and weeks we supplied $305 million of relief to our people on the Gulf Coast.

In total, DLA supplied the Federal Emergency Management Agency with more than 25 million Meals, Ready to Eat, 2.2 million units of bottled water, 50,000 cots, 60,000 blankets, 4.5 million gallons of fuel and many other supplies to support relief efforts.

Finally, Lippert mentioned some significant performance achievements. These included a record low for back orders, the lowest cost-recovery rate in DLA history and a 90 percent customer satisfaction rate.

Later the same day, DLA Logistics Operations Director Maj. Gen. Bennie Williams spoke about how DLA is providing expeditionary support and transforming logistics through innovative excellence. Like Lippert, Williams emphasized the importance of transformation. He said the root of DLAs transformation is in giving the war fighters what they need.

Williams went on to discuss several DLA transformational initiatives including BSM, supplier relationship management, National Inventory Management Strategy and the Distribution Planning and Management System, among others. By implementing these programs, William said the Agency will further evolve into a customer-focused enterprise, based on best practices and [information technology] tools.

Lippert and Williams represented senior leaders within the Agency during the two-day conference. During their presentations, both addressed DLAs efforts associated with the conferences theme, Marching toward seamless support of our war fighter.

An awards ceremony was held Nov. 29 in conjunction with the event. Two Defense Supply Center Philadelphia employees were selected as finalists for an award entitled Beyond The Call Of Duty: Logistician of the Year. Gary Shifton, chief of supplier operations for the Europe and Middle East Team, and Debbie Sinno, customer account specialist for the subsistence supply chain were nominated.

Lippert addresses Defense Logistics Conference

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