DOD Reiterates Gen2 RFID Requirement
In another indication of how government decisions impact private industry, the Department of Defense has reiterated its commitment to eventually require RFID Gen2 tags on all products shipped to the DOD -- no matter how small or inexpensive the items being shipped.
In clarifying how it intends to apply the new Gen2 contract requirment, DOD reiterated that the tags will be required for "suppliers of packaged field rations such as Meals Ready to Eat, clothing and individual equipment, tools, tents, and weapons systems repair parts and components; ...lubricants, oils, preservatives, chemicals, additives, construction and barrier materials, and medical materials ."
While clarifying the deadlines and reiterating its support for Gen2 tags, the DOD responded to government contractors concerned about the stockpiles of Generation 1 tags they purchased at the urging of the DOD -- tags that would be immediately obsolete under the new rules. DOD gave them a small extension of time to continue using their surplus of Generation 1 tags.
This maneuver has obvious business consequences for those in the RFID space - either technology providers or their customers. Government contractors - especially smaller businesses shipping inexpensive merchandise -- may be reluctant to again invest a lot of time and money upgrading their systems to accept Gen2 tags if they are stuck holding a lot of Generation 1 inventory from previous requirements. While DOD has demonstrated some flexibility and has telegraphed its intentions well over time, implementing RFID systems can be expensive and challenging especially for smaller businesses. Anyone not paying attention to what the DOD's intentions were regarding RFID could be working overtime now to address an expensive mistake.
