Science & Engineering

Frequency Allocation Application (DD Form 1494) is currently used to submit systems information to the Military Communications-Electronics Board (MCEB) for frequency allocation approval. All major military RF systems, as defined in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Manual of Regulations and Procedures for Federal Radio Frequency Management, are reviewed in parallel with the Joint …

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  Spectrum Supportability Risk Assessments (SSRA) is used to determine and document if adequate spectrum is available to support system operation in DoD, Allied, and Coalition operations. It documents and assesses operational spectrum supportability (SS) and electromagnetic environmental effects (E3) risks and the steps that need to be taken to mitigate these risks. The SSRA …

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A Spectrum Supportability (SS) Determination is required for all systems and equipment that use the electromagnetic spectrum in the U.S. and in other host nations. It’s required at Milestone B and C. This written determination shall be completed with the concurrence of the DoD Component or Component Chief Information Officer (CIO), and state whether there …

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  A Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) is a notice from the government that requests scientific or research proposals from private firms concerning certain areas of interest to the government. The proposals submitted by the private firms may lead to contracts. FAR 35.016 (a) Broad Agency Announcement procedure is for the acquisition of basic and applied …

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Spectrum Management is the process of regulating the use of radio frequencies to promote efficient use. The goal of spectrum management is to enable electronic systems to perform their functions in the intended environment without causing or experiencing unacceptable interference. The electromagnetic radio frequency spectrum (3 kHz to 400 GHz) is critical to the development …

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  Safety Engineering is an applied engineering science strongly related to industrial engineering and a subset Systems Engineering. Safety engineers usually work on the Risk Management Integrated Product Team (IPT) of an acquisition program. Safety engineering assures that a life-critical system behaves as needed even when components fail. The goal of the safety engineering is …

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  An Open System is a system that implements open standards focused on interfaces, services, and support formats, to enable properly engineered components to be utilized across a wide range of systems with minimal change, to interoperate with other components on local and remote systems, and to interact with users in a manner that facilitates …

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  The Director of Performance Assessments and Root Cause Analyses (D-PARCA) conducts and oversees performance assessments and root cause analyses for Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAP). [1]   Performance Assessments The D-PARCA is required to conduct assessments and analyses periodically or when requested by senior Department officials. At a minimum, the D-PARCA must also advise …

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A Prototype is a physical or virtual model used to evaluate the technical or manufacturing feasibility or military utility of a particular technology or process, concept, end item, or system. Prototyping is used in an acquisition program as a tool for: Risk Reduction Technology maturation Identifying and resolving integration risks Controlling manufacturing and sustainability risks …

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Environmental Stress Screening (ESS) is a series of tests conducted under environmental stresses to expose weak parts and defects in workmanship so they may be corrected.  It’s designed to remove latent part and manufacturing process defects through the application of environmental stimuli (e.g., random vibration, thermal cycling) prior to fielding equipment. [2] Random vibration and …

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