Engineering Support Services

N21 partners with other directorates within NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support (NAVSUP WSS) to solve engineering and technical support problems and address weapon system performance concerns. N21 provides technical support and guidance regarding reliability and supportability concerns, material obsolescence and request for variance processing and acts as technical liaison between NAVSUP WSS and Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) 4.0 Engineering. We also provide engineering support services to internal and external customers to improve supportability and reduce total ownership costs for Navy weapon systems. N21 participates in various working groups and public-private partnerships and interfaces with external engineering activities, including NAVAIR 4.0, Navy Warfare Centers and various Centers of Excellence.

N21 maintains a working relationship with Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) Keyport and NAVAIR Aviation Rapid Action Team to accelerate implementation of supportability improvements for NAVSUP WSS weapon systems.

The Item Improvement Program within N21 provides active engineering support to NAVSUP WSS Integrated Weapon System Teams to improve material availability and reduce life cycle support costs for NAVSUP WSS managed assets.

N21 strongly encourages NAVSUP WSS Supply Planners and Equipment Specialists to utilize the Item Improvement Program to improve readiness and reduce sustainment costs for NAVSUP WSS-managed material. Examples of item improvement submittals include, but are not limited to:

• Contractor "no bids"
• Unprocurable items (obsolescence/Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages)
• Poor reliability/supportability/availability
• Material with high volume backorders and Unfilled Customer Orders (UCOs)

N21 provides direct technical support for LECPs and VECPs within NAVSUP WSS to improve material reliability and reduce sustainment costs.

N21 is the program manager for DMSMS within NAVSUP WSS and maintains liaison with NAVAIR, NAVSEA, and Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) DMSMS focal points. Issues related to DMSMS and obsolescence for NAVSUP WSS material should be directed to N21.

N21 provides technical support for NAVSUP WSS PBL initiatives and recommends contractual language for inclusion in PBL statements of work for the following functional areas:

•  Contract Data Requirements Lists
•  Commerciality
•  Configuration Management
•  Counterfeit Parts Screening and Reporting
•  Critical Item Management (Critical Safety Items and Critical Application Items)
•  Defense Priorities and Allocation System
•  Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) Reporting
•  LECP and VECP
•  Obsolescence Management Plan
•  Reliability Management and Repair Procedures
•  Special Tooling and Special Test Equipment
•  Specifications and Standards
•  Technical Data
•  Item Unique Identification
•  Requests for Variance

N21 provides technical review and guidance to NAVSUP WSS contracting personnel regarding the procurement of commercial products and services.

N21 provides technical direction and overall management of Navy-owned ST/STE.

N21 provides guidance and recommends contractual language concerning implementation of IUID for NAVSUP WSS programs.

N21 serves as competition advocate and provides contracting support for sole-source contracts.

N21 works within DoD systems engineering and acquisition communities to identify risks, vulnerabilities and address policy, guides, regulations and procedures aiding in the prevention and detection of counterfeit materiel in the supply chain.

N21 provides information regarding additive manufacturing initiatives across the DoN and interfaces with the NAVAIR AM Integrated Program Team regarding AM supply chain solutions.

N21 provides technical review of RFVs for NAVSUP WSS and DLA contracts in order to expedite the acceptance of nonconforming material by authorizing a contractor to depart from an approved product configuration for a specific number of units or a limited period of time.