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 […]

  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

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

  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

  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

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

  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

  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

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

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

Highly Accelerated Stress Screens (HASS) use the highest possible stresses, frequently well above qualification test levels, to reduce the time required to conduct the screen. HASS is based on the principle that many stimuli exhibit an exponential acceleration of flaws on a system. These stimuli enable the duration of the stress to be reduced (assuming

An Environmental Assessment (EA) contains an estimate of whether or not a proposed system will adversely affect the environment or be environmentally controversial. It’s a document for which a Federal agency is responsible that serves to: Identify possible environmental effects. Propose measurements to mitigate adverse effects. Briefly provide sufficient evidence and analysis for determining whether

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is an agency of the United States Department of Defense responsible for the development of new technology for use by the military. DARPA is independent of other more conventional military R&D and reports directly to senior Department of Defense management. DARPA has around 240 personnel (about 140 technical)

  The Department of Defense (DoD) Research & Engineering Enterprise provides science and technology leadership throughout the Department of Defense (DoD). Its focus is to prioritize and coordinate the research and engineering efforts across the DoD. The Enterprise is led by The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (ASD(R&E)). The ASD(R&E) enterprise is

An Engineering Development Model (EDM) is a system acquired during the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Phase that is built from approved Critical Design Review (CDR) drawings. It may be used for development and operational testing to demonstrate maturing performance during the latter stages of development and to finalize proposed production specifications and drawings. Initial

A Data Call is a response by a Program Manager (PM) to solicit/collect data and/or information from the contractor(s) or other government organizations. The data can be used to help the government develop requirements, standards, databases, Request for Proposals (RFP), or conduct analysis. In response to a data call, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) candidate

Demonstration and Validation is a Research and Development (R&D) activity that falls under Budget Activity (BA) category 04 under Major Force Program (MFP) 6 of the Future Years Defense Program (FYDP). It includes all efforts necessary to evaluate integrated technologies in as realistic an operating environment as possible to assess the performance or cost reduction

Human Systems Integration (HSI) is a robust process by which to design and develop systems that effectively and affordably integrate human capabilities and limitations. It includes humans, in their different roles in the system (as operator, maintainer, trainer, designer, etc.). Systems including hardware, software, and processes (including the acquisition process and the design process), and

Airworthiness Certification verifies that a specific air vehicle can be safely maintained and operated within its described flight envelope.  It shows the air vehicle can safely attain, sustain, and terminate a flight in accordance with approved usage limits (range, speed, weight, altitude, safety). This certification is required for any fixed-wing and unmanned vehicle that is

An Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) is a management tool used to propose a configuration change to a Configuration Item (CI) and its government-baselined performance requirements and configuration documentation during an acquisition program. [1] Definition: An Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) is a formal document used in engineering and project management to propose modifications, improvements, or changes to an

Value Engineering (VE) (FAR Part 48) is an organized/systematic approach that analyzes the functions of systems, equipment, facilities, services, and supplies to ensure they achieve their essential functions at the lowest Life-Cycle Cost (LCC) consistent with required performance, reliability, quality, and safety. Typically the implementation of the VE process increases performance, reliability, quality, safety, durability,

Human Factors Engineering (HFE) is a multidisciplinary effort to generate and compile information about human capabilities and limitations and apply that information to equipment, systems, software, facilities, procedures, jobs, environments, training, staffing, and personnel management to produce safe, comfortable, and effective human performance. It focuses on how people interact with tasks, machines (or computers), and

    Science forms the foundation of seeking knowledge. It’s an approach that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions on how things function and work. In turn, engineering takes the knowledge gained from science and tries to build systems and products that satisfy a need by a user or