AMC and AMSC codes explained: can a new source win this DLA part?
When DLA has an acquisition method on file for a part, two short codes tell you whether a shop that has never supplied it has a realistic shot. Here is what each one means, in DLA's words and in plain English.
The short version
The acquisition method code (AMC) is a single digit from 0 to 5. It records how DLA has decided to buy the part: openly competed, from the actual manufacturer, or only from the prime contractor.
The acquisition method suffix code (AMSC) is a single letter (or 0). DLA describes it as the primary reason the AMC was assigned, for example that the government does not own the drawings, or that the part needs special testing.
You always read them as a pair, such as 1G or 1R. The digit says whether DLA wants competition. The letter says what stands between a new shop and that competition.
A rough way to sort the letters:
- Open: G. The government owns the data and the package is complete.
- Open after a qualification step: C (engineering source approval), B (get onto the source control drawing), T (get onto the qualified products list), K (use an approved casting or forging source).
- Not open to a new shop working from drawings: D, H, P, Q and R (the data is missing or not owned), M (tooling the government cannot share), S (classified), U, V and Y.
That sorting is our reading of DLA's definitions below, not a DLA category. The definitions themselves are what count.
Acquisition method codes (AMC)
DLA definitions from PUB LOG, release 2026-10-27.
| AMC | DLA definition | What it means for a new shop |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not establishedNot established. | Nobody has decided how this part should be bought yet. The code tells you nothing either way. |
| 1 | Suitable for competitive acquisitionSuitable for competitive acquisition. | The part is meant to be competed. Read the suffix (AMSC) to see what a new source still has to clear. |
| 2 | Suitable for competitive acquisition for the first timeSuitable for competitive acquisition for the first time. | The part has just been opened to competition. Read the suffix to see on what terms. |
| 3 | Acquire directly from the actual manufacturerAcquire directly from the actual manufacturer, whether or not the prime contractor is the actual manufacturer. | DLA buys from whoever actually makes the part. Unless you are that manufacturer, this is not an open buy. |
| 4 | Acquire for the first time directly from the actual manufacturerAcquire, for the first time, directly from the actual manufacturer rather than the prime contractor who is not the actual manufacturer. | DLA is moving the buy from the prime to the real manufacturer. Good news if you are that manufacturer, otherwise not an opening. |
| 5 | Acquire only from the prime contractorAcquire only from the prime contractor although the engineering data identifies the CAGE and part number of a source other than the prime contractor. | Only the prime contractor can be paid for this part, even though the drawings name another source. |
Acquisition method suffix codes (AMSC)
DLA definitions from PUB LOG, release 2026-10-27. Some longer definitions are shortened by leaving out procedural notes. "Valid with AMC" is also from DLA.
| AMSC | DLA definition | Valid with AMC | What it means for a new shop |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | Not establishedNot established. | n/a | No reason has been recorded. Treat it as unknown. |
| A | Government's rights to use its data are questionableThe government's rights to use data in its possession is questionable. Only applicable to parts under immediate buy requirements and only while the rights are under review. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | A temporary code while data rights are being sorted out. Expect it to be recoded later. |
| B | Restricted to sources on source control drawingsAcquisition of this part is restricted to source(s) specified on "source control", "altered item" or "selected item" drawings/documents. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Only the sources named on the drawing can supply it. A new source has to get onto that list first. |
| C | Requires engineering source approvalThis part requires engineering source approval by the design control activity in order to maintain the quality of the part. An alternate source must qualify in accordance with the design control activity's procedures, as approved by the cognizant government engineering activity. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | You can become a source, but you have to win engineering source approval first. Plan for that step before you plan to quote. |
| D | Data not physically availableThe data needed to produce this item from additional sources is not physically available. | 3, 4, 5 | The government does not have the drawings a new shop would need. Without them you cannot build to print. |
| G | Government has unlimited rights to the technical dataThe government has unlimited rights to the technical data, and the data package is complete. | 1, 2 | The clearest opening for a new shop. The government owns the data outright and the package is complete. |
| H | Not sufficient, accurate or legible dataThe government physically does not have in its possession sufficient, accurate, or legible data to purchase this part from other than current source(s). Only applicable to parts under immediate buy requirements and only while the deficiency is under review. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | The drawings on file are not good enough to build from, so for now the buy stays with current sources. |
| K | Must be produced from class 1A castingsThis part must be produced from class 1A castings (e.g., class 1 of MIL-C-6021) and similar type forgings. The part must be procured only from sources which use castings or forgings obtained from approved (controlled) source(s). | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | You can machine it, but your castings or forgings must come from an approved foundry or forge. |
| L | Annual buy value below the $10,000 screening thresholdThe annual buy value of this part falls below the screening threshold of $10,000 but it has been screened for known source(s). Not assigned in preference to or to supersede any other AMSC. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | A low-dollar part that DLA has screened for known sources. The code does not by itself say a new source is blocked. |
| M | Master or coordinated tooling is requiredMaster or coordinated tooling is required to produce this part. This tooling is not owned by the government or, where owned, cannot be made available to other sources. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Making the part needs tooling the government cannot hand to you. That is a hard barrier for a new shop. |
| N | Requires special test and/or inspection facilitiesThis part requires special test and/or inspection facilities to determine and maintain ultra-precision quality for its function or system integrity. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | You would need the specialised test or inspection setup as well as the machining capability. |
| P | Data rights not owned and cannot be purchasedThe rights to use the data needed to purchase this part from additional sources are not owned by the government and cannot be purchased. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | The government cannot give a new source the data, and cannot buy the right to. Not an opening. |
| Q | Inadequate data, no rights to data, or bothThe government does not have adequate data, lacks rights to data, or both, needed to purchase this part from additional sources. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | The data a new source would need is missing, restricted, or both. |
| R | Data or rights not owned, and uneconomical to buyThe data or the rights to use the data needed to purchase this part from additional sources are not owned by the government and it has been determined that it is uneconomical to purchase them. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | The government decided buying the data was not worth it, so new sources will not get it. |
| S | Restricted by security classificationProcurement of this item restricted to limited source(s) because security classification of confidential or higher prevents public disclosure. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | Security classification (confidential or higher) limits the buy to a few sources. Not an opening for most shops. |
| T | Controlled by QPL proceduresAcquisition of this part is controlled by QPL procedures. | 1, 2 | Competitive, but only among products on the qualified products list. Getting qualified is the first step. |
| U | Breakout cost exceeds projected savingsThe cost to the government to break out this part and acquire it competitively has been determined to exceed the projected savings over the life span of the part. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | The government decided opening this part to new sources would cost more than it saves. |
| V | High-reliability partThis part has been designated a high-reliability part under a formal reliability program. The cognizant engineering activity has determined that data to define and control reliability limits cannot be obtained nor is it possible to draft adequate specifications for this purpose. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | A formal high-reliability part, and DLA says adequate specifications cannot be drafted. Not an opening. |
| Y | Design is unstableThe design of this part is unstable. Major changes are contemplated. Limited acquisition from the present source is anticipated pending configuration changes. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | The design is expected to change, so buys stay limited to the present source for now. |
| Z | Commercial / non-developmental / off-the-shelf itemThis part is a commercial/non-developmental/off-the-shelf item. | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 | A commercial, non-developmental or off-the-shelf item. If you make or sell that commercial item, it may fit what you already do. |
Worked example: NSN 3040-00-798-5858
This is a real part, read straight from DLA's PUB LOG catalog (release 2026-10-27).
- Item name: GEARSHAFT, SPUR (part number 577C441G3)
- Codes: AMC 1, AMSC R, on the Defense Logistics Agency management record (MOE code DS)
- Design control: CAGE 07482, General Electric Company, Cincinnati, OH (reference number category 3, design control reference)
- Also listed: CAGE 24446, General Electric Company, Boston, MA, under the same part number as a secondary reference (category 5)
- Catalog unit price: $10,122.04 each (DLA's catalog reference price, not an award price; management record effective 1 October 2026)
How to read it. AMC 1 says DLA considers the part suitable for competitive acquisition. AMSC R explains the catch: the data, or the rights to use it, are not owned by the government, and buying them was judged uneconomical. So a shop that has never made this gearshaft will not be handed a drawing package to quote from.
A high unit price is tempting, but on its own it does not open a part up. The suffix is what decides that. If the same part had read 1G, it would be worth pulling the drawings. At 1R, a new shop has no government drawing package to work from.
You can check any CAGE code from an NSN record with our CAGE code lookup.
What to do with the codes
- Filter for AMC 1 or 2 with AMSC G first. These are the parts where the government says the data package is complete and it holds unlimited rights.
- Treat C, B and T as a project, not a quote. DLA's source approval guide lists AMSC B, C and D as examples of codes eligible for a source approval request (SAR), and says AMSC G is not evaluated because it is already full and open competition. Approval comes before award.
- Get access to the drawings. Export-controlled DLA drawings need JCP certification and DLA's own approval. See DD Form 2345 and JCP certification.
- Learn the bid board. Our DIBBS guide walks through registering and reading a solicitation.
Common questions
What is an acquisition method code (AMC)?
DLA defines the AMC as a code reflecting the decision of the primary inventory control activity as to the technique of purchasing to be employed, from a planned procurement review. It is a single digit from 0 to 5 and is always read together with the suffix code (AMSC).
What is an acquisition method suffix code (AMSC)?
DLA defines the AMSC as a supplementary code that indicates the primary reason why the AMC was assigned, for example that the item requires special testing or that rights to procurement are not legally available. It is a single letter or the digit 0.
Which AMSC is the best opening for a new machine shop?
AMSC G. DLA's definition is that the government has unlimited rights to the technical data and the data package is complete. It is only valid with AMC 1 or 2, which are the competitive codes.
Can a new source ever win an AMSC C part?
Yes, but not straight away. DLA's definition says an alternate source must qualify in accordance with the design control activity's procedures. DLA's source approval guide lists AMSC B, C and D as examples of codes eligible for a source approval request.
Where do I find the AMC and AMSC for an NSN?
They are part of the management data in DLA's public FLIS catalog (PUB LOG). An NSN can have more than one management record, and the codes sit on each record, so check which service or agency a code belongs to.
Send us a part number
Give us the NSN or part number you are looking at. We will tell you what the catalog says about who can make it and match it to machine shops in our directory that could quote it.
Want a person to check a solicitation for you? See the DLA bid desk. New to this? Start with our government contracting guide for machine shops, or try the free NSN and part number lookup.
Sources
- DLA PUB LOG, P_HELP code definitions for AMC and AMSC. Release 2026-10-27. Source of every definition in the tables on this page
- DLA PUB LOG, FLIS management, MOE rule, reference and CAGE records for NSN 3040-00-798-5858. Release 2026-10-27. Source of the worked example
- DLA Source Approval Request (SAR) and Alternate Offer (AO) Guide. Which suffix codes are eligible for source approval
- DLA Land and Maritime: Alternate Offers