STINFO Terms And Definitions

Certified Contractor.

Private individual or enterprise located in the United States or Canada who is certified and registered with the Defense Logistics Service Center for access to export-controlled technical data.

Classified Military Information.

Information originated by or for the Department of Defense or its Agencies or is under their jurisdiction or control and that requires protection in the interests of national security. It is designated TOP SECRET, SECRET, and CONFIDENTIAL, as described in E.O. 12356 (reference (q)). Classified military information may be in oral, visual or material form.

Conference or Symposium.

A conference, meeting, seminar or other similar gathering, conducted by a DoD component, a DoD Contractor, or an association, institute or society whose membership includes DoD or contractor personnel, at which participants disclose unclassified or classified DoD information or information of interest to the DoD.

Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRDA).

A written agreement (not a procurement contract) that involves the transfer of money and/or services (and possibly research results) from the private sector participant to the federal developer of the technology. CRDAs are often used to license or assign rights to intellectual property developed by the U.S. Government scientists and engineers. The U.S. Government, as a minimum, retains a royalty-free right to use, for governmental purposes, any invention made under a CRDA.

Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC).

The focal point within DoD responsible for collecting, storing, retrieving, and disseminating information resulting from or relevant to, DoD research, development, test, evaluation, analysis, studies and acquisition management activities. DTIC’s mission is to assist research, development and acquisition activities in using the defense technology base more easily and cost-effectively. It has three major databases: The Technical Report Bibliographic Database -- largest database containing citations to 1.5 million items The R&T Work-Unit Information System Database -- contains management information about on-going and completed R&T work efforts. The Independent Research and Development (IR&D) Database -- contains descriptions of technical programs that are initiated and performed by DoD contractors and not wholly funded by DoD (this database contains proprietary information and is only available to DoD activities and authorized federal agency R&D personnel). Export Controls on Technical Data. Export controls, including the control of critical technology, protect U.S. technology with military applications from inadvertent disclosure to foreign governments and foreign nationals. Export controls are governed by law and implementing regulations. Goods and technical data deemed inherently military in character fall under the jurisdiction of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Goods and technical data with the potential for both military and civilian use fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Commerce and are governed by the Export Administration Regulations (EAR).

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).

The legal channel that broadens and controls public access to U.S. Government Records. FOIA requests are processed by the FOIA manager.

Independent Research and Development (IR and D) Program.

A DoD program that encompasses the technical efforts, i.e., projects, of DoD contractors that are initiated and funded by the companies themselves. IR and D is directed toward continually improving the contractor’s technological competence to meet DoD’s future requirements for advanced technology, systems or hardware.

Information Analysis Center (IAC).

Federally funded and usually contractor-operated, IACs vary in type of services provided and size. They collect, review, analyze, appraise, summarize and store available information on subjects within highly specialized technical areas of DoD concern.

Intelligence.

The product resulting from the collection, processing, integration, analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of available information concerning foreign countries or areas.

National Technical Information Service (NTIS).

The single largest source of U.S. Government R and D information available to the public. The NTIS collection contains approximately 2 million titles, about 30% originate from foreign sources. NTIS is self-supporting and sells its products and services.

Proceedings.

Papers and other formal information presented at a scientific or technical meeting that are printed together for ease of reference and to preserve knowledge. Need to be submitted to Defense Technical Information Center for preservation and possible dissemination.

Proprietary Information.

Classified or unclassified data, the rights to which are owned by private firms or citizens (i.e., patents, copyrights, or trade secrets). Proprietary information may not be disclosed without the owner’s consent.

Research & Development Descriptive Summaries (RDDS).

Formerly known as Program Element Descriptive Summaries (PEDS), provide information on research, development, test and evaluation programs and program elements (PE numbers) within the Department of Defense.

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program.

The Small Business Innovation Development Act, passed by Congress in 1982 to stimulate U.S. productivity and the economy by increasing technological innovation. The program operates as a three-phase process: PHASE I: small firms are invited to submit proposals during two solicitation periods, one of 60 days and the other 90 days. Phase I winners are awarded contracts which average $50,000 to complete a 6 month proof of concept effort. PHASE II: the R & D effort with a duration of approximately 2 years. Most Phase II awards are between $200,000 and $500,000. Awards for Phase II work are based on the results of Phase I efforts and the scientific and technical merits of Phase II proposals. PHASE III: small business is allowed to pursue commercial applications of the work started in Phase I and II and to seek non-federal funding.

STINFO.

Scientific and Technical Information.

STINFO Liaison.

Individual appointed by an organization to work with the STINFO office to assist with the efficient processing of technical reports, papers and other data. STINFO Liaisons work with the ASC/AFRL STINFO Program Coordinator to inform scientists, engineer, project officers, data managers and supervisors of relevant DoD, Air Force, and STINFO program requirements. They also serve as organizational points of contact for the STINFO office.

STINFO Office.

Office designated by local commander to carry out and enforce compliance with the various elements of the US Air Force Scientific and Technical Information program.

STIP.

Coordinated, comprehensive Scientific and Technical Information Programs within DoD developed to provide for the interchange of scientific and technical information within and among DoD components and their contractors, federal agencies and their contractors, and the national and international scientific and technical community.

Technical Document.

Any recorded information or data, regardless of its physical form or characteristics, that contains scientific and technical information or technical data including production, engineering and logistics information. Excluded are official Air Force publications, which are not distributed through the Defense Technical Information Center.

Technical Meeting.

A conference, seminar, symposium, exhibit, convention, or other type of formally scheduled session. Advanced Planning Briefings for Industry (APBI) are also included. It is conducted, sponsored or cosponsored by a DoD organization, DoD contractor, or a private association, institute, or society whose membership includes DoD personnel or DoD contractors. Official information is disclosed outside official DoD channels.

Technical Report.

Any preliminary or final technical document prepared to record, document, or share results obtained from, or recommendations made on, or relating to, DoD-sponsored or co-sponsored scientific and technical work.

Work Unit Information Summaries (WUIS).

The set of data elements that describe, for separate research, development, test and evaluation efforts, what is being accomplished, the performer, locations, sponsor, cost, and progress to date. Submitted to the Defense Technical Information Center for inclusion in the R&T Work-Unit Information System, a data base that makes available information of current work in progress.