Which statement about prime vendors is true?

• A. Civilian companies that use the 13-digit national stock number (NSN)
• B. Civilian companies with which the government has a blanket purchase agreement
• C. Civilian companies that accept the International Merchant Purchase Authorization Card (IMPAC)
• D. Civilian companies contracted by Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) that usually deliver supplies within 24 hours

Answer: (A)

Prime vendors are civilian companies contracted by the Defense Logistics Agency to supply a broad range of standard items for the DoD, and those items are identified in the federal supply system by the 13-digit national stock number. The NSN provides a uniform, universal identifier that lets the government, DoD services, and the vendors know exactly which item is being ordered and tracked, regardless of service or location. That NSN-based identification is what ties the vendor’s offerings to the widespread DoD supply chain, making this description the best fit. While prime vendors may participate in blanket purchase agreements or accept government payment methods, or offer rapid delivery, none of those features define a prime vendor as definitively as the use of NSNs to identify and track the standard items they supply.