(a)  NEED DETERMINATION

1.  Identify alliance candidates

a)  All SSA candidates must be suppliers that conduct single-source business with DLA over an extended and defined period. DLA suppliers with competitive and single-source business may be examined for SSA improvements in accordance with this policy. However, competitively procured items may only become part of the SSA under a separate contract with the supplier after a competitive award.

b)  DLA supply chains nominate SSA candidates to HQ DLA. The nominating supply chain creates the SSA nomination package. This information will be used to determine if an SSA presents a value-added opportunity to DLA and as a source document to assign the responsible supply chain. (Projected end state - supply chain assignments will not experience significance change until business systems modernization reaches full operational capability.) SSA nominating packages include the following information:

(i)  Identification of all potential DoD stakeholders in the SSA.

(ii)  Nomination of the supplier candidate identified by corporate name and potential CAGE code (include all associated CAGE codes).

(iii)  Identification of the industry segmentation of the CAGE(s) and the federal supply class(es) of the single -source NSNs.

(iv)  Obligations and annual demand values of single-source business with candidate supplier. The package will use a 3-year business base.

(v)  A list of the single-source NSNs and contract count of the single-source business. The package will use a 3-year business base..

(vi)  A brief description of the business rationale for a SSA with the candidate supplier.

(vii)  Additional information as needed.

c)  The nominating supply chain shall disseminate the SSA nominating package to all DLA center SSA POCs for review and comment:

The DLA center SSA POCs are: (DLA Troop Support ( formerly DSCP ) - P) (DSCC - P) (DLA Aviation ( formerly DSCR ) - KI)

d)  The nominating supply chain submits the SSA nomination package to HQ DLA J-72. HQ DLA J-72 reviews all SSA nomination packages. A determination of approval-to-proceed or disapproval will be made within 5 business days. HQ DLA J-72 will provide rationale for any disapproval. Disagreements between supply chains and their detachments shall be adjudicated by the HQ DLA J-72.

e)  Once HQ DLA grants approval-to-proceed to the SSA effort, all supply chains will be notified by HQ DLA J-72. The responsible supply chain officially initiates contact with the supplier candidate for interest in establishing an SSA. The responsible supply chain determines the best strategy to approach a supplier candidate. Format of the approach is at the discretion of the responsible supply chain. HQ DLA level contact or support with efforts to communicate with the supplier candidate will be made available to the responsible supply chain, if requested. Contact with nominated SSA suppliers may be delayed to accommodate stakeholders. SSA initiatives will be added to the DLA SSA Strategic Execution plan when the nominated supplier accepts the invitation to begin establishment of an SSA.

f)  Once a supplier candidate agrees to begin SSA discussions, the responsible supply chain arranges the initial meeting with the supplier to introduce the SSA concept, if necessary. Initial meetings with the supplier candidate should include SSA education, fact-finding, discovery, and benefit discussions. The initial meeting may include DoD stakeholder representatives and others as determined by the responsible supply chain.

2.  Identify stakeholders

For purposes of this instruction, the term "stakeholder" refers to DoD government activities only. The SSA candidate is known as the "supplier."

a)  The responsible supply chain will identify and make contact with all stakeholders to determine potential interest in participation. All DLA supply chains will be contacted to review inter-agency stakeholder status. DLA customer relationship managers (CRMs) are potential stakeholders. Non-DLA stakeholders may include, but are not limited to, the Military Services, multiple activities within a Military Service, DCMA, and other Federal Agencies. Non-DLA stakeholder point(s) of contact (POCs) are pursued on a case-by-case (individual SSA) basis by the responsible supply chain.

b)  When planning any meeting with the Military Services to discuss strategic issues regarding a specific supplier or DLA's general SSA program, the responsible supply chain must coordinate with HQ DLA J-72 by providing the purpose of meeting, proposed date/time/location/duration, and attendee listing. E-mail is acceptable.

c)  Additional stakeholders may be added to the SSA effort at any point.

3.  Each stakeholder identifies desired benefits When notified that an SSA effort has been approved-to-proceed and stakeholders have been identified, the responsible supply chain will request and coordinate benefit analysis from all stakeholders. Each stakeholder must articulate desired benefits and planning assumptions. The responsible supply chain will consolidate stakeholder input.

4.  Stakeholders meet to determine SSA focus/common strategic goals and establish plan of action and milestones (POA&M) for the SSA Once benefit analysis has begun among the stakeholders, the responsible supply chain conducts an SSA focus meeting. Ideally, the focus meeting should occur prior to contact with the candidate supplier. Stakeholder participation in SSAs is a GO/NO-GO decision. A GO decision indicates a stakeholder will join DLA in the SSA process. A NO-GO decision indicates the stakeholder will not take part in DLA SSA efforts.

a)  The focus meeting must discuss and document the basic goals and objectives of the SSA.

b)  The focus meeting must document an overall Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M).

c)  The focus meeting must negotiate and document a GO/NO-GO decision schedule. An affirmative decision (GO) to participate is required by an established decision date.

d)  The responsible supply chain shall invite the HQ DLA J-72 to attend SSA focus meetings. If the HQ DLA J-72 is unable to attend, the responsible supply chain shall provide minutes.

5.  SSA "GO/NO GO" decision by all stakeholders

a)  After the focus meeting, all DoD stakeholders will conduct internal coordination concerning the proposed SSA. If no focus meeting is held, stakeholders need only respond to the responsible supply chain to register their intentions (GO/NO-GO). DoD stakeholders must respond affirmatively (GO) to the responsible supply chain in accordance with the established schedule to participate in the SSA. If a DoD stakeholder expresses a NO-GO decision, its status as a stakeholder is removed from the SSA effort. A "NO-GO" activity may continue unilaterally with the candidate supplier or rejoin the effort at a later time.

b)  Once all stakeholders have made a GO/NO-GO decision, the responsible supply chain shall develop the overall SSA strategy based upon the benefit analysis and focus meetings. In coordination with stakeholders, the responsible supply chain drafts the SSA charter to formalize the relationship. Each individual SSA charter is tailored to the supplier as negotiated.

6.  SSA charter routed for signature by senior leadership

a)  The responsible supply chain shall submit the SSA charter to HQ DLA J-72 when the final version has been negotiated with the supplier and DoD stakeholders. HQ DLA J-72 will coordinate the charter for signature by DLA-D. The responsible supply chain will determine what other stakeholder signature(s) are to be included on the charter. The responsible supply chain will obtain these DoD stakeholder signature(s), and the supplier signature in the order cited in paragraph b below. The responsible supply chain will sponsor any signature ceremonies. SSA supplier signatory level must be at a level equal to or greater than the Director of DLA. The responsible supply chain will ensure enough SSA charter copies are available for each signatory to have a charter with original signatures.

b)  Sequence of charter signatures:

(Signatories: only DLA-D and supplier) - DLA-D, then the supplier

(Signatories: Multiple DoD Stakeholders, DLA-D, and supplier) - Various DoD stakeholders, then DLA-D, then the supplier

c)  There may be cases when DLA joins a SSA alliance initiated by a military service. The DLA Director's signature on a Military Service-initiated charter signifies DLA's SSA participation with the supplier.

d)  Once signed by all parties, the responsible supply chain will distribute charter originals and copies as needed. An SSA charter will remain on file at HQ DLA J-72. When additional DoD stakeholders join the SSA after the charter has been signed, use an addendum to the SSA charter if no significant changes to the charter are anticipated. Minimum DLA signatory level on SSA charter addendums is a DLA center Commander/Director/Administrator. Create a new charter for significant changes advanced by a new DoD stakeholder and approved at the executive committee level. The responsible supply chain is responsible for the creation, coordination, and execution of any modifications or addendums to the existing charter. HQ DLA J-72 must be notified prior to changes in any SSA charter.