SECTION I. INTRODUCTION - TB-43-0002-10004

TB 43-0002-1

SECTION I. INTRODUCTION

1-1. Purpose. This Technical Bulletin (TB) implements the provisions of AR 750-1 (Army Materiel Maintenance Policies),

and AR 750-2 (Army Materiel Maintenance Wholesale Operations). Maintenance Expenditure Limits (MELs) have been

established to ensure that only the repairs that benefit the Army are accomplished. This TB is intended to be used for

items in the following Federal Supply Classes (FSC) 1560, 1610, 1615, 1620, 1630, 1650, 1660, 1680, 1710, 1730, 1740,

2810, 2840, 2915, 2925, 2935, 2945, 2995, 4920, 6340, 6610, 6620, and 8145. It establishes the requirement to

determine the cost of direct labor and material needed to restore an item to full serviceability. Expenditures for the repair

of aircraft assemblies, modules, components, parts, and related ancillary or support items, including reusable

shipping/storage containers, should not exceed the cost of replacing the item. This TB includes instructions for

conducting wear and/or damage assessment evaluations, and provides guidance for requesting disposition instructions or

waiver authorization from the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM). These instructions apply when wear,

damage and/or deterioration exceeds the maximum allowable repair expenditure limits, or the needed repairs exceed the

authorized limits stated in the applicable technical manual Maintenance Allocation Chart (MAC).

1-2. Scope. This TB applies to the Active Army, Army National Guard (ARNG), U.S. Army Reserve (USAR), Department

of Defense (DOD) and other Government, or contract activities engaged in supply and maintenance (either contract or in

house) of aircraft secondary items, aerial delivery, and life support equipment.

1-3. Responsibilities. Commanders or civilian supervisors at each management level are responsible to ensure full

compliance with the procedures and criteria prescribed in this TB. Item managers at the National Inventory Control Point

(NICP) will continuously monitor depot repair programs. Whenever a Unit Funded Cost (UFC) item exceeds the standard

or planning price, appropriate action shall be taken. The item manager will grant waivers to exceed the MEL when

deemed necessary, and they are responsible for maintaining an audit trail of all waivers.

1-4. Explanation of Terms. Terms used in this TB are defined as follows:

a. Maintenance Expenditure Limit (MEL). A maximum dollar limit, established by the appropriate Army Materiel

Command (AMC) major subordinate command (MSC), which can be spent to repair an item and return it to a fully

serviceable condition as defined by the appropriate TB, Technical Manual (TM), or Depot Maintenance Work Requirement

(DMWR). The MEL factors for AVIM are expressed as a percentage of the items standard price. The depot MEL is

expressed as a dollar amount that is established by the material proponent. This dollar amount when used with other

factors determines if the repair is cost effective and in the best interest of the Army.