Receive free information research on technical topics
Technical Inquiries (TIs)
The core function of HDIAC is to answer technical questions using our in-house technical personnel, vast DoD information resources, and our extensive network of subject matter experts (SMEs). HDIAC 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:
Free Technical Inquiry Services
HDIAC’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.
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 Technical Inquiries
Notable TIs are summaries of the most recent and impactful works done by HDIAC in response to technical inquiries that were submitted by homeland defense and security community members. These summaries are intended to give our community a sampling of the wide range of questions presented and responses produced by HDIAC under the free 4 hours of information research support.
COVID-19 Delta Variant
HDIAC received a technical inquiry on the transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant and the efficacy of vaccines against those variants. Initial research has shown that the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant…
Water and Food Safety From Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Threats
On June 23, 2021, HDIAC received a technical inquiry to research the concept of food fraud as an avenue of approach for CBRN agents. The results would be used to…
Decontamination or Contamination Mitigation Using Zirconium Hydroxide
On May 17, 2021, the Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center (HDIAC) received a technical inquiry through the HDIAC website, www.hdiac.org, which asked for information on decontamination or contamination…
COVID-19 Test Kits and Reagents
HDIAC provided supplementary analysis to a DSIAC inquiry concerning different types of reagents used for COVID test kits. Research into different types of testing and collection methods was conducted, including…
Wearable Diagnostic Devices to Measure Infections
USAMMDA submitted a technical inquiry asking for a summary of wearable diagnostic devices that could measure viral and/or bacterial infections. HDIAC was also able to identify and use current studies…
Emerging Oxygen Generation Technology
U.S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) requested assistance to determine the existence of noteworthy technology or research capable of producing breathable oxygen at the rate of 1-4 liters per…
Operational Energy
Energy security and forward operating base self-sufficiency are not solely logistics issues; they also affect the safety of the Warfighter. Self-sufficient forward operating bases (FOBs) require fewer resupply convoys, which…
Hydrogels in Biomedical Applications
The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center recently conducted research and analysis on possible Department of Defense (DoD) applications for chondroitin sulfate glycosaminoglycan hydrogels. Background CS-GAG hydrogels are a…
Safety Culture in the U.S. Pipeline Industry
The Homeland Defense and Security Information Analysis Center received a request for research and analysis of safety culture assessments and incident rates within the U.S. pipeline industry. HDIAC highlighted the…