Join the CALCE/SMTA Counterfeit Parts and Materials Symposium 2022 for this and other informative presentations
Stephen Foster
Abstract: Component test laboratories provide the filter to remove counterfeit and substandard parts from the supply chain, protecting critical systems from an unintended operation or premature failure. Test laboratories are the last line of defense for protecting the warfighter from the threat of counterfeit and substandard parts being installed into systems. Accuracy of testing is essential considering that false-negative findings eliminate the protections intended by the testing and false-positive findings can result in months to years of delays in DMSMS resolution potentially impacting warfighter readiness. Test laboratory effectiveness can be readily evaluated through round-robin testing where test results on the same components performed by multiple labs are compared for results commonality. Several round-robin tests have been performed in past years showing false positive/negative error rates as high as 64% with typical error rates exceeding 10%. These same tests also demonstrated significant disparity in lab counterfeit detection capability, and a direct correlation between lab personnel turnover and lab test accuracy. These round robin tests also incorporated substantial individual feedback to serve as a lab training mechanism. Year-over-year lab test performance improvements implied that the feedback was beneficial. AS6171 provides a method to quantify projected testing effectiveness based on a selected test suite. Testing effectiveness can vary significantly from these projections depending on the lab’s ability to execute tests and interpret test findings. This presentation will demonstrate how programs could implement a round-robin exercise leveraging the previous round-robin demonstrated experience, which includes the cost of inaction based on empirical data, discussion on the human factors involved in the forensic analysis, and recommended next steps for programs.
Bio: DLA Land and Maritime Branch Chief and Supervisor for the DLA DMSMS (Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages) and GEM Program (Generalized Emulation of Microcircuits). The DMSMS branch at Land and Maritime works obsolescent parts issues for operational readiness and sustainment for DLA managed items. Program consists of Electronic, Mechanical and Chemical Engineers paired with Technicians and Specialists. The DLA DMSMS program is embedded at Land and Maritime within the Engineering and Technical Support Directorate that has over 17 distinct Technical Programs supporting Material Procurement with 200+ Engineers, Technicians and Specialists. The program reviews obsolescence issues DLA wide-Partnering with GIDEP to obtain the PDNs, and works all cases for solutions. The Program manages Land and Maritime cases in-house and makes recommendations/submit our findings to Aviation and Troop Support.
Stephen holds a Doctorate in Business Administration focused on Global Operations and Supply Chain Management in addition to an MBA, BS, and AAS in Automotive Technology. Aside from his current position at DLA, he also teaches as an Adjunct Professor at Sinclair Community College, Park University, and the American Military University in their respective Operations, Supply Chain, and Logistics academic areas for over the last 10 years.
Prior to his time with DLA, Stephen was a Distribution Center Supervisor for global supply company and also contracted with KBR during OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) and OND (Operation New dawn).
During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Stephen worked up to the position of Materials Manager for three coalition camps from 2005 to 2011, managing the supply chains for each-from procurement, transportation, warehousing, distribution, to final material disposition for camps Delta, Echo, and Kalsu. In the final year, he was asked to join a program level team to begin closing bases in the RDoF (Responsible Drawdown of Forces). He was the Property and Materials lead for closing over 12 bases and other various projects throughout the theater of operations. His Dissertation “Data Science within Supply Chain Management: An Analysis of Skillset Relevance” is cited and published through Proquest and can be found through Google Scholar. Prior experiences include 13 years in the automotive industry and a tour of Duty during Desert Storm in the Army as an 11b – Infantry (Airborne).
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