THIS MULTI-NSN INITIATIVE HAS A POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 1,400 NSNs COVERING FSC: 5365. ALL NSNs INCLUDED IN THE POPULATION ARE COMPETITIVE ITEMS. DLA Aviation is seeking information in an attempt to determine strategic support options that will increase automation, improve efficiencies, and enhance support to our customers with a minimum impact on the small business industrial base. Presently, DLA Aviation uses a multitude of sources, storage facilities, and delivery methods to satisfy its customer demands for rings, shims, and spacer products. DLA Aviation's intention is to leverage the commercial industry's best practices and implement a solution which assures readiness, safety, and efficiency. Ultimately, the goal is to effectively reduce lead-times, reduce material and administrative costs, and improve our support to our customer, the warfighter. ATTACHED IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) DOCUMENT. THE DOCUMENT CONTAINS QUESTIONS WHICH WILL HELP ASSIST IN BUILDING THE MOST EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE PROCUREMENTS. RESPONSES TO THE RFI ARE REQUESTED BACK BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS 1/11/2012. PLEASE REVIEW THE QUESTIONS AND RETURN YOUR RESPONSES TO MICHAEL K. BROWN AT MICHAEL.K.BROWN@DLA.MIL OR AT THE FOLLOWING MAILING ADDRESS: DLA-Aviation, Richmond Attention: Michael K. Brown, Project Manager 8000 Jefferson Davis Hwy Richmond, VA 23297 DLA-AVIATION IS HOLDING A STRATEGIC SPACERS INDUSTRY DAY/MARKET RESEARCH WORKSHOP TO BE HELD AT THE DLA-AVIATION LOTTS CONFERENCE CENTER. A NEW AND INNOVATIVE ACQUISITION APPROACH WILL BE PRESENTED TO SUPPORT OUR RINGS/SHIMS/SPACERS COMMODITIES. WE INTEND TO PROVIDE AN INTIMATE VENUE ALLOWING FOR CANDID DISCUSSION OF THE ISSUES IMPACTING OUR BUSINESS. THE CONFERENCE WILL ALSO ALLOW CAPABLE MANUFACTURERS, DISTRIBUTORS, AND SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRAGORS TO SHARE INFORMATION ON CAPABILITIES, PRODUCTS, SERVICES, INDUSTRY BEST PRACTICES, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES, AND CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS WITH OUR GOVERNMENT ACQUISITION PROFESSIONALS. ENCLOSED IS REGISTRATION INFORMATION AND A REGISTRATION FORM. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHMENT LABELED "SPACERS INDUSTRY DAY/MARKET RESEARCH WORKSHOP" FOR MORE INFORMATION. DLA IS UNDERSTANDING THAT INFORMATION SHARED DURING INDUSTRY DAY MAY IGNITE NEW OR MORE IN DEPTH RESPONSES TO THE RFI QUESTIONARRE. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE INDUSTRY DAY CONFERENCE, THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) WILL BE REOPENED FOR TWO ADDITIONAL WEEKS.