At the close of the Vietnam War, there was in existence over
2,000 varieties of different makes, models and sizes of
generator sets in the Department of Defense (DoD) inventory.
With the potential for non-standard generators to proliferate
within DoD and the Marine Corps, efforts are warranted to
streamline the size and types of generators fielded, thereby
providing for cost effective logistics support. While commercial
generator sets are excellent machines for the environments and
customers for whom they are designed, they often times lack the
necessary robustness, features, characteristics and performance
required in generators for the military environment. When
analysis or trade-offs warrant introduction of a non-standard
generator, the process to allow a deviation of policy is
provided.
Department of Defense Directive 4120.11 "Standardization of
Mobile Electric Power (MEP) Generating Sources", mandates a
standard family of Mobile Electric Power Generating Source (MEPGS)
within the DoD and establishes procedures for controlling
procurement of non-standard MEPGS. This Directive is binding on
all USMC activities. The Joint Services Program Manager for
Mobile Electric Power is the designated authority for approval
to use non-standard generators.
"Joint
Operating Procedures (JOP) Management and Standardization of
Mobile Electric Power Generating Sources", adopts and implements
DOD Directive 4120.11 as Marine
Corps Order 11310.27. This MCO applies the policies of DOD
Directive 4120.11 and clarifies directions for the management
of MEPGS. Marine Corps Order 11310.27 assigns the Program Manager,
Expeditionary Power Systems, Marine Corps Systems Command as
the USMC Central Control Point for the Request for Deviation (RFD)
process to utilize a non-standard generator in the Marine Corps.
Military Handbook
633 "Standard Family of Mobile Electric Power Generating Sources,
General Description Information and Characteristics Data
Sheets", provides a detailed description of the standard family
of Mobile Electric Power Generating Sources. These web pages
describe generators from the DOD family that the USMC is using.
Military Standard 1332 "Definitions of Tactical, Prime, Precise and Utility
Technologies for Classification of the DoD Mobile Electric Power
Engine Generator Set Family", defines subdivisions and
classifications of power quality and also details standard
voltage connections, altitude operating requirements and
restrictions, required environmental operating conditions, and
power ratings. A waiver is not needed to cite Mil-Std-1332 in a
contract.
Military Standard 705 provides test procedures for Mobile Electric Power Generators
and is applicable for standard and non-standard generator
purchases. A waiver is not needed to cite Mil-Std-705 in a
contract.
All
requests for use of a non-standard generator must be reviewed,
and approved in accordance with the above references before
development or acquisition efforts commence. A Marine Corps
specific Waiver Assistance Package is available to assist procurement
activities in the preparation of a request. Additional
information or assistance can be obtained from the Program
Manager, Expeditionary Power Systems, PMM-153, Marine Corps
Systems Command. NOTE: Acquisition Reform, Acquisition
Transformation, or other non-traditional purchasing methods does
not supercede DODD 4120.11 or MCO 11310.27.
In
sustained operations and base infrastructure applications where
the electric power is being procured, but is not Mobile Electric
Power, a Request for Deviation is not needed. With sustainment
and support of Global War on Terror efforts, many organizations
have procured commercial generators to fulfill their urgent need
for power. If you are a Marine or part of a Marine organization
that need to procure commercial generators, a point paper,
entitled White Gear - Green Mission is available to help you. In
addition, please contact the Power Systems Field Service Representatives for your Marine
Expeditionary Force. They have specific knowledge to help you
out in this and many other power related matters.
NOTE: Acquisition Reform, Acquisition Transformation, or other non-traditional acquisition methods do not supercede DODD 4120.11 or MCO 11301.27
Lithium based batteries, to include Sulfur
Dioxide (LiSO2), Lithium Manganese (LiMn), and Lithium Ion
(Li-Ion) have special Development, Testing, Handling, Logistics
Support, and Disposal Guidance due to their greater chemical
volatility.
Lithium based batteries are used throughout the
Department of Defense in numerous weapons and communication
systems. Special guidance is in effect from several governing
or controlling bodies, as they apply to and impact USMC
implementation.
DEVELOPMENT / TESTING
As part of the Naval Service, the Marine Corps
using units and organizations charged with developing and
fielding batteries that contains lithium, or weapons systems
that utilize lithium based batteries that are transported on any
mode of Naval transport (ship, aircraft, ground vehicle) or
used/stored on any Naval/USMC facilities fall under the Naval
Lithium Battery Safety Program, as detailed in Naval Sea Systems Command Instruction 9310.1B.
Additional details as they pertain to evaluation and testing
procedures are contained in Naval Technical Manual S9310-AQ-SAF-010.
For programs under the guidance and direction of
the Marine Corps Systems Command that contain or use lithium
based batteries, they need to adhere to the Command’s
Acquisition Policy Letter 3-04, “Implementation of Naval Lithium Battery Safety Program”, dated August 2004. A key tenet of the Commands implementation
of the Battery Safety program is adequate testing and safety
analysis, in accordance with Military Standard 882B of 30 Mar 84 for Systems Safety
Procedures.
