The DLA Logistics Information Service, located in Battle Creek, Michigan, assigns all NSNs at the request of the military services, certain federal and civil agencies, and foreign friendly countries. Each NSN assigned to an item of supply is the result of a careful review process known as cataloging. Cataloging is the process whereby each item of supply is named, assigned a Federal Supply Class, described to identify all known characteristics and performance data, and ultimately assigned a NSN. This information is contained and maintained in the Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS), which is managed by the DLA Logistics Information Service, which is part of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). DLA Logistics Information Service is the only organization authorized to assign NSNs.
Requests for NSNs are initiated whenever a non-stocked item is repeatedly ordered or when a new weapons system is being developed. Whenever a new weapon system is deployed by a military service, the service engages in an upfront review known as a provisioning process. This process identifies all potential spares to ensure weapon system support throughout the life cycle of the weapon system. This step is essential to properly provide support to the warfighter. During the provisioning process all potential spare parts are identified and requests for NSN assignment are submitted to DLA Logistics Information Service.
NSN: 6240-00-357-7976
Item Name:LAMP, MERCURY VAPOR
During NSN assignment, a wide range of logistics data is assembled to describe the item. This information includes the item name, manufacturer’s part number, unit price, physical and performance characteristics, shipping data, special handling, storage, shelf life, and information associated with how to dispose of the item when no longer needed in the inventory. Throughout the life of the NSN, this data is routinely updated to include new manufacturers, price changes, part number changes or other changes affecting the support, logistics data, or characteristics of the item.