This chapter presents the history ofJust-In-Time (JIT) purchasing from its roots
in the early part ofthe 20th century until today. Once the history is established, the
elements of a civilian JIT purchasing operation are discussed and the benefits derived
from its implementation are examined. The remainder ofthe chapter highlights how the
Government has taken this commercial practice and modified it to take into account the
uniqueness ofGovernment purchasing. Understanding the background and elements of
JIT will help the reader understand the remaining chapters that discuss Just-In-Time
purchasing and the Buy Response Vice Inventory (BRVI) program, the Government's
version of JIT.