Enhancing Analysis, Modeling, and Decision Support
Abstract
The Strategic Distribution and Disposition (SDD) program continued to lay the groundwork for DLA’s Smart Warehouses. During FY22, SDD met with vendors and potential vendors, and continued research of the technologies required to implement smart warehousing solutions. The SDD program provided applied research, analytical and decision support to DLA Distribution and Disposition Services and provided support to the Distribution Modernization Program (DMP). Additionally, SDD will continue to engage with Industry, Department of Defense (DoD) sponsored Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and University-Affiliated Research Center Laboratories (UARCs) leveraging subject-matter expertise in key areas of research such as Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Internet of Things (IoT), Augmented Reality, and Autonomous/Robotics systems. SDD will continue to incorporate Integrate Project Teams (IPT) for project collaboration and Integrated System Engineering concepts (test and evaluation) into Distribution projects. - Completed the Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Autonomous Guided Vehicle (AGV) case study to prove out DLA’s acquisition approach for implementing AGV technology in the Warehouse processes at the DLA Distribution Center Hill, and DLA Distribution Center Corpus Christi which lack automated material technology such as AGVs to move material between tunnels and warehouses. Current material process is with forklift and designated driver. This project concluded with no plans to proceed to Phase II due to the vendor’s low Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 3. When funding levels are adequate SDD will revisit more Phase I research to provide a proof of concept to ascertain the utility, feasibility, maintainability, and cost-effectiveness of using AGVs to improve inventory efficiency. This project concluded in FY22Q1. - Completed the Phase I Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) DLA Warehouse Artificial Intelligence (AI) case study to prove out DLA’s acquisition approach for implementing AI technology in the Warehouse processes. Currently DLA Distribution is unable to predict when items and material arrives at its Distribution Warehouses ad this inability to predict the induction of inventory and material consequently increases lead times, operational costs, and incurs human error. This project concluded with no current plans to proceed to Phase II due to the low Technical Readiness Levels (TRLs) of 1 to 3 for the three vendors who participated in this research pilot. When funding levels are adequate SDD will revisit more Phase I research to provide a proof of concept to ascertain the utility, feasibility, maintainability, and cost-effectiveness of using AI to improve inventory efficiency and predict the induction of inventory and material at the DLA Distribution Centers. This project concluded in FY22Q4. - Completed the Phase II Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Augmented Reality (AR) case study to prove out DLA’s acquisition approach for implementing AR technology in the Warehouse Picking process. This project continued to develop a prototype augmented reality system in a DLA warehouse environment and will provide a proof of concept to ascertain the utility, feasibility, maintainability, and cost-effectiveness of using AR to improve inventory efficiency. This project concluded in FY22Q2. - Adjusted project funding priorities to FY 2024 for Automated Storage and Retrieval Systems (AS/RS), In-Transit Visibility (ITV), AI imbedded Robotic Arms, and a Systems of Systems Smart Warehouse.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2024
- Source ID
- 6e7bce640dd7b5853a2a6415370f2b63