In a time of shrinking budgets and increasing responsibility, IACs are a valuable resource for accessing evaluated Scientific and Technical Information (STI) culled from efforts to solve new and historic challenges. In addition, users can also leverage the CSIAC’s experienced technical scientists, engineers, and information specialists to answer their technical questions.
Technical Inquiry Services
The CSIAC provides up to four hours of Free Technical Inquiry research to answer users’ most pressing technical questions. To do this, the CSIAC relies on its extensive Subject Matter Expert (SME) network, which includes retired senior military leaders, leading academic researchers, and industry executives. Our SMEs can help find answers to even your most difficult questions.
Technical inquiries can be submitted online, by email, phone or fax (using the contact information in the footer of the page). Once submitted, the inquiry is sent directly to an analyst who then identifies the staff member, CSIAC team member, or SME that is best suited to answer the question. The completed response is then compiled and sent to the user. Responses can take up to 10 working days, though they are typically delivered sooner.
If necessary, the CSIAC may also provide additional information for clarification. If the amount of research is expected to exceed the CSIAC’s four free hours of staff time, discussions can begin with the user to determine whether a more extensive, funded analysis is needed. This type of effort, known as a Core Analysis Task (CAT) is described below.
CSIAC Technical Inquiry Process
CAT (Core Analysis Task) Program
Challenging technical problems that are beyond the scope of a basic inquiry (i.e., require more than 4 hours of research) can be solved by initiating a Core Analysis Task (CAT). CATs are separately funded work efforts over and above basic CSIAC products and services. Through the CAT program, the CSIAC can be utilized as a contracting vehicle, enabling the DoD to obtain specialized support for specific projects. These projects, however, must be within the CSIAC’s technical domain (Cybersecurity, Information Assurance, Software Engineering, Modeling & Simulation, and Knowledge Management/Information Sharing).
Each proposal for a CAT has both a technical and a cost component. CATs are very flexible, but are limited to a 12 month period of performance and a maximum budget of $1M per project. Tasks may be ordered by any DoD component. Subject to appropriate agreement, U.S. Government Agencies and Departments may also order CATs.
