U.S. Department of Commerce,
Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS)

National Security Assessment:
U.S. Defense Supply Chain Network – C4ISR Survey

Overview

The U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS), Office of Technology Evaluation, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Base Policy, is conducting a series of industrial base surveys of DoD’s supply chain network.  The principal goal of this effort is to provide DoD with a comprehensive sector-by-sector, tier-by-tier (S2T2) assessment of the defense supply chain. The results will be used in the budget process; to inform decision-making on industrial base sustainment, manufacturing technology, and other industrial base investments; and to support other supply chain and market research efforts.  Specifically, the DoD seeks to make informed decisions as the defense budget adjusts to the drawdown from two wars and to new fiscal realities – decisions that protect critical skills and industrial capabilities and that prepare the industrial base to meet future national security requirements.

The current survey emphasizes, but is not limited to, facilities that contribute products and services to the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) supply chain.  Many facilities selected to participate in the survey do not directly supply the federal government, and many facilities involved at lower tiers of the supply chain would not characterize themselves as producers of C4ISR or even defense-related products or services.  Nevertheless, these subcontractor facilities make important contributions to our national defense.

All information submitted to BIS is protected as Business Confidential under provisions of the Defense Production Act (DPA) of 1950, as amended.  Survey responses are also exempt from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests.  The information collected from all survey respondents cannot be published or disclosed, other than in aggregate form.

Response Obligations

Your facility has been identified as a supplier in the DoD supply chain network and selected to participate in this assessment.  Your facility is required by federal law under 50 U.S.C. App Sec 2155 to complete this survey within 30 days of this request.

To begin, download the Microsoft Excel formatted survey and corresponding instructions below:

C4ISR Survey (Excel)* | C4ISR Survey (PDF)*

Drop-Down Guidance (PDF version)*

Complete and submit the Excel version to BIS at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  The PDF version is only a reference document for your organization’s internal use – it cannot be submitted in place of a completed Excel survey document.

*Note 1: First save a copy of the Excel version to your computer before you make any inputs to the survey.

*Note 2: If, when clicking on the above document links, your computer does not ask if you want to download the file to your computer, right click on the link and select "Save As.

Additional Guidance:

In select instances, multiple facilities under the same corporation, business unit, or division have received a letter from BIS.  If your company or facility received multiple letters, do not consolidate your responses into a single submission. BIS requires a facility-level response from all letter recipients.

If you have any questions regarding the survey or overall U.S. defense supply chain assessment, e-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or phone the survey support specialists at 571-372-6279. E-mail is the preferred method of contact and will allow for a detailed response for your organization records.

Thank you very much for your effort and cooperation. We look forward to working with you.