What AAC “L” Really Means for NSN Sellers: A Guide to Direct Government Sales Without RFPs
Did you know that many commercial suppliers don’t realize that some of the most accessible opportunities to sell to the Department of Defense don’t require navigating long contracting cycles or formal RFPs. One key indicator? AAC “L” — a powerful code buried within NSN data that signals Local Purchase authority. At OpenFLIS, we believe in […]
Understanding NSN Data: Hidden Opportunities in Single-Supplier Listings
In the complex world of defense contracting, data often tells stories that aren’t immediately obvious. One of the most overlooked opportunities lies in what might seem like a red flag: NSNs with single-supplier listings. The Common Misconception Many contractors see a single CAGE code associated with an NSN and immediately move on, assuming it indicates […]
Beyond the Numbers: How Data Accessibility Transforms Defense Industry Competitiveness
The Department of Defense’s FY2025 budget request of $849.8 billion reveals more than just spending plans—it highlights an evolving landscape where data accessibility becomes a crucial equalizer in defense contracting. While headlines focus on the impressive topline numbers, contractors and Industry Command Posts (ICPs) understand that success in this space isn’t just about budget size—it’s […]
Amazon’s New Approach: Supporting Merchants Across Multiple Platforms
Amazon recently announced that they’ll be supporting merchants selling on rival sites, marking a significant shake-up in the e-commerce world. As discussed in Theo Wayt’s article in The Information, this strategy highlights the growing challenges of supply chain management, with Amazon betting on its own logistics network as a critical advantage. For us, we see […]
Building Resilient Supply Chains with Data-Driven Solutions
The recent Wall Street Journal article, “Supply Chain Woes Carry High Risks, Big Rewards for Some Companies,” highlights how the pandemic and subsequent global disruptions have transformed supply chain resilience from a niche concern into a boardroom priority. As Mirko Woitzik of Everstream Analytics aptly puts it, supply chain risk management has moved from the […]
The U.S. Army’s Continued Reliance on FEDLOG: Importance, Enhancements, and Integration
Introduction The Federal Logistics (FEDLOG) system remains a vital resource for the United States Army, providing essential procurement data for military operations. This article, based on a third-party market research study conducted we initiated in 2021, explores the Army’s current reliance on FEDLOG, the system’s potential enhancements, the proportion of Army personnel using WebFLIS instead […]
The Evolution and Impact of the NSN System and OpenFLIS Online Catalog
Introduction After World War II, the US Government faced the challenge of managing a complex and rapidly expanding military supply chain. This led to the adoption of the National Stock Number (NSN) system in the 1970s, which aimed to streamline procurement and logistics processes. However, a centralized repository for NSNs was missing, and it wasn’t […]
Revolutionizing DoD Procurement: Embracing a Centralized Third-Party Marketplace for NSN Products
Introduction According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), The Department of Defense (DoD) is a significant purchaser of goods and services, with billions of dollars spent annually to support the nation’s defense infrastructure. National Stock Number (NSN) products are essential to this process, as they enable procurement officers to identify and acquire parts from numerous […]