Collaboration leads to success at FCC annual meeting

The Federal Cataloging Committee set the next steps for a targeted go-live of the Cataloging Transformation Project in November 2025 at the recent annual meeting in Battle Creek, Michigan.

Defense Logistics Agency Logistics Operations Federal Cataloging Committee Chair Stacey Navarro described the event as relevant, engaging and collaborative, with discussions around the Department of Defense collaboration process a huge win for the Cataloging Transformation Project.

Attendees included representatives from each of the armed services, DLA major subordinate commands, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Government Services Administration, and the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, who collaborated on cataloging topics. Around 145 people attended the meeting in person and virtually.

The two-day event focused on cataloging transformation and other topics impacting the Federal Catalog Program, providing participants the opportunity to discuss and identify conflicts as well as outline pros and cons.

The way forward for the DOD collaboration process for cataloging requests between the Federal Logistics Information System and all military services and agencies generated the most discussion, Navarro said. Other relevant topics included the new WebFLIS demo, additive manufacturing, and 3D drawings. Highlights also included discussions about Defense Logistics Management System transactions, base units of measure, packaging information requirements and other data elements.

Each of the military services provided updates on their own internal transformation efforts.

"These updates are imperative to ensuring we are aligning implementation dates and mitigating any risks to schedule," Navarro said.

Participant Benjamin Burton from DLA Land and Maritime said he found the event relevant and worthwhile because attendees learn of decisions being made.

"It keeps people honest, and we get visibility of the changes coming," Burton said.

Navarro defined the purpose of the FCC governance body as making the process of cataloging consumable and non-consumable items for National Stock Number assignment more efficient and effective for the Federal Cataloging Program and the DOD on behalf of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Supply Chain Integration. The group also ensures that U.S. cataloging policies align with NATO Codification System agreements to maintain consistency across both systems. The group is charged with ensuring that U.S. cataloging policies aligns with NATO Codification System agreements to maintain consistency across both systems.

"The FCP doesn't just support the creation of the NSN," Navarro said. "Our policies and procedures support the DOD supply chain from NSN creation to disposal."