Technical Inquiries (TIs)

The core function of DSIAC is to answer technical questions using our in-house technical personnel, vast DoD information resources, and our extensive network of subject matter experts (SMEs). DSIAC has technical staff available to conduct technical research in order to give you a head start on your analysis or study in any of our technical focus areas. We offer a free 4-hour TI research service or, for slightly larger research efforts, we offer an extended technical inquiry (ETI) service.

Technical Inquiry Features

Our TIs include the following to help you with your research:

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Literature Searches

A curated bibliography given a technical topic

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Document Requests

Dissemination of technical reports to authorized users

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SME Referrals

Contacts and connections with relevant, technical SMEs

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Free Technical Inquiry Services

DSIAC's free TI service offers 4 hours of free research per inquiry on any topic within our technical focus areas. Typical TI efforts may include answering technical questions, literature searches, document requests, or referrals to SMEs. Completed responses are compiled and delivered to the inquirer in less than 10 business days. Registered users can submit TIs online through the provided form or by phone.

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Extended Technical Inquiry (ETI) Services

ETIs are externally funded research efforts that go slightly beyond 4 research hours. ETIs require between 5 and 160 technical hours of research, with a $50K maximum ceiling and period of performance up to 2 months.

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Notable Inquiries

Notable TIs are findings and/or summaries of responses to the most recent and impactful technical inquiries submitted by DSIAC members under our 4 free hours of information research support.

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Filter by Technical Focus Areas

By default, only content within your selected technical focus areas is displayed throughout the site. You can update your technical focus areas in your profile or temporarily filter the content here.

Public-Private Partnerships for Material Qualification

What examples exist of public-private partnerships to develop and qualify additive manufacturing (AM) materials databases?

DSIAC was asked to investigate cases of public-private partnerships of U.S. Department…

Standoff Biometric Identification: Face Recognition

What are the current technologies, solutions, and limitations of standoff biometric identification (specifically in face recognition), and what U.S. government programs are active in relation to this topic?

  The Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) received a technical inquiry…

Satellite System Capabilities

What are the capabilities of a satellite network & the operator running it?

Stemming from the recent satellite launching upon a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket,…

Replacing NARC Rayon: Cellulosic Precursor Carbon Fiber

Is there still a strong need for cellulosic precursor carbon fibers (CFs) for use in rocket nozzles?

  The Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) was provided with a…

Future Vertical Lift (FVL): Next-Gen V-22 Replacement Programs

What industry companies are working on a future vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicle design to replace the Osprey?

DSIAC staff was tasked with identifying industry corporations producing designs for a VTOL…

Film Resistor and Capacitor Failure Modes and Distributions

In what failure mode do film resistors, CDR ceramic capacitors, and CWR tantalum capacitors most often fail in and what is the distribution breakdowns for each mode?

  The Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC) was asked to investigate…

Example Inquiries

Example TIs are samples of the wide range of technical inquiries submitted by DSIAC members under our 4 free hours of information research support. They are intended to show the breadth of information requests we receive.

Can live-fire-like training for research and development be provided for the engineers working on weapons platforms at U.S. Army Picatinny Arsenal, NJ?

July 18, 2024

How many "gate runner" (intentional or unintentional vehicle that passes through a secure access point without authorized access) incidents have occurred at U.S. military installations (including U.S. Department of State embassies and consulates) in the past 2–3 years?

July 18, 2024

Can information be provided to explain beamforming techniques used for active, electronically scanned array radar/beam form/beam steer?

July 18, 2024

What test data/information exists on ullage overpressures for fuel tanks greater than 100 gallons?

July 9, 2024

What work has been done on using active illumination to image through blast events?

July 9, 2024

What information exists on aerial-based datasets of maritime vessels for training deep-learning artificial intelligence models to perform various tasks?

July 9, 2024