The Defense Logistics Agency manages procurement for millions of NSN-coded items across every branch of the U.S. military. This guide explains how to source parts through DLA, when DLA stock runs out, and how qualified distributors fill the gap to keep defense programs on schedule.
If you've spent time around government contracting, you've seen five-character codes attached to suppliers—those are CAGE codes. Here's what the Commercial and Government Entity code is, how to look one up, and why it matters for sourcing and bidding.
Behind every Department of Defense purchase is the Federal Logistics Information System—a massive database that catalogs and tracks every item the military buys. Here's a plain-English breakdown of the NSNs, CAGE codes, reference codes, and acquisition data that defense contractors use to win work.
