Class 5 and Class 6 Lead Times | How DO and DX Ratings Affect Your Order

When ordering a GSA Approved security container on the open market the lead times are subject to change without notice. Generally speaking the lead time fluctuates from approximately two weeks during slow times of the year and up to 90 days during peak production times.

The Federal government and Department of Defense has a special system in place that allows for "rated orders" to receive preferential treatment for production and shipping. Generally speaking if the order has a national security or national defense concern it receives a priority rating labeled DX or DO through DPAS. This means that commercial orders for both Class 5 and Class 6 safes and containers may be subject to extended lead times. 

We work hard to ship products to our customers in a timely manner, however when a rated order is entered into the system we have no control over the change in shipping time.  As a rule of thumb you quote will state " Lead times are subject to change without notice due to DX and DO priority rated orders."

What is DPAS?

DPAS is an acronym that stands for Defense Priorities and Allocation System.

There are a total of two levels of priority ratings associated with GSA containers that fall under the "rated orders" category which has been established by DPAS. These are referred to and can be identified by the rating symbols "DO" and "DX."

According to http://www.dtc.dla.mil/dsbusiness/Info/DPAS.htm

"a. (All DO rated orders have equal priority with each other and take reference over unrated orders (including commercial orders). All DX rated orders have equal priority with ach other and take preference ver DO rated and unrated orders.

b. DX ratings are used for special defense programs designated by the resident to be of the highest national priority. AR 11.604—Solicitation Provision and Contract Clause.

a. Contracting officers shall insert the provision at FAR 52.211–14, Notice of Priority Rating for National Defense Use, in solicitations when the contract to be awarded will be a rated order.

b. Contracting officers shall insert the clause at FAR 52.211–15, Defense Priority and Allocation Requirements, in contracts that are rated orders."