Analysis of Frustrated Vendor Hazardous Material Shipments Within the Defense Airlift System

Since military units do not want to deploy with excess materiel or maintain large stockpiles of supplies, the services are looking to improve the purchasing and delivery processes of vendor items to overseas personnel. Unfortunately, due to miscommunica-tion and overlooked transportation requirements some shipments are becoming frustrated and are delayed in reaching their purchaser or intended overseas customer when they enter the defense transportation system. The Under Secretary Of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics has highlighted the problem of Government Purchase Card (GPC) purchases becoming frustrated upon entering the DoD organic distribution system and has addressed the documentation and modal packaging requirements of hazardous material. This research quantifies the extent that hazardous vendor cargo is becoming frustrated within the defense airlift system and the potential improvements that can be made in guidance that is provided to GPC holders who need to purchase items from commercial vendors. A case study methodology is used to determine the top causes of cargo frustration, the average time shipments were frustrated, and what potential improvements could be made to reduce these discrepancies. Data includes interviews with aerial port personnel from Dover AFB and deployed GPC holders, literature review of existing GPC and hazardous material guidance, and archival data of frustrated hazardous vendor cargo. The research highlights areas for change including more involvement by transportation experts and improved communication of requirements.