Date: Fri, 16 Jun 1995 17:12:51 EST From: "Victor Gutierrez Dir. Off." My name is Victor Gutierrez. I work for Brookhaven Nat'l Lab (BNL). Recently Steven W. Beers requested info on the Government/Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP). BNL is a participant in GIDEP, and I am the BNL GIDEP Rep. I am a Quality Engineer in the BNL Quality Management Office. Since Steve raised questions about accessing the info in GIDEP, I thought other quality practicioners would also be interested in GIDEP. The following was compiled from several GIDEP brochures. The GIDEP Operations Center holds 2 training events each year for those wishing to become a GIDEP participant and learn more about accessing the data in the GIDEP database. The Clinic is held in the Spring, usually in March or April and the Workshop in the Fall, usually Oct. or Nov. This years Workshop is scheduled for Oct. 23-26, in Cleveland, Ohio. GIDEP PROGRAM SUMMARY GIDEP is an interactive network for the timely collection, storage, retrieval, and electronic exchange of product/component technical data among US and Canadian government and industry participants. Many program participants have achieved large savings, through cost avoidance, by accessing this data and using it in the research, design, development, production, operational and quality assurance aspects of the life cycle of the equipment, systems, and facilities they build or maintain. The 1994 estimated cost avoidance reported by the participants was $140M. GIDEP is managed and funded by the US Government. Among its participating organizations are: the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Defense Logistics Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Department of Energy, Department of Labor, Department of Commerce, General Services Administration, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Energy, US Postal Service, National Institute of Standards and Technology, National Defence. In addition, there are hundreds of industrial suppliers to the US Government who participate. WHAT IS IN GIDEP? Participants in GIDEP are provided electronic access to data in the ares of Engineering, Failure Experience, Metrology, Reliability / Maintainability as well as Product Information and Urgent Data Request (UDR). The proper utilization of GIDEP data can material improve quality and reliability while reducing costs in the development and manufacturer of complex systems and equipment. The ENGINEERING DATA contains quality assessment, engineering test, evaluation and qualification test reports, nonstandard parts data, parts and materials specifications, manufacturing processes, process controls, solderability data and related engineering data on parts, components, materials, software and processes. The FAILURE EXPERIENCE DATA contains objective failure information as a result of ALERTS, SAFE-ALERTS, Problem Advisories and Agency Action Notices which notify users of nonconforming parts, components, chemicals, processes, materials, safety and hazardous situations. This data also includes failure analysis and problem information submitted as laboratory analysis. The METROLOGY DATA contains calibration procedures and technical manuals for test and inspection equipment. It also contains engineering information on calibration laboratories, calibration systems and measurement systems. The National Institute for Standards and Technology contributes engineering data related to measurement science. The PRODUCT INFORMATION DATA contains notices on discontinued and changed parts, components and materials. This data includes DMSMS Notices of product discontinuances by suppliers. It also contain information on alternate sources, after market suppliers, pop focal points of contact and related information. Product Change Notices are also distributed as a part of this data set. The RELIABILITY-MAINTAINABILITY DATA contains failure rate, failure mode and replacement rate data on parts, components, and subsystems based upon field performance and demonstration tests. It also includes reports on theory, methods, techniques, prediction reports and procedures for reliability and maintainability practices. The URGENT DATA REQUEST system permits participants having technical problems to rapidly query the GIDEP community to obtain information which resolves the problem. A UDR form is initiated by the Representative, mailed electronically to the GIDEP Operations Center and distributed to all participants. Responses are provided directly to the representative originating the request for information. WHAT CAN GIDEP DO? GIDEP databases contain a wealth of information for most the traditional and some the esoteric technical disciplines involved in maintaining the strength of our industrial base and our national security. The information distributed by GIDEP, with a little judicious application, can be profitably used in every step of system design, development, production and logistics support. Quality Engineers have used failure data obtained from GIDEP to segregate suspect or unsafe parts thus preventing their use. The use of test procedures available through GIDEP has provided savings by reducing the time needed for their development and/or application. In addition, GIDEP has acquired manuals for various models of older test equipment. Copies of these manuals are available to program participants. Design engineers will find a ready source of qualified parts information to meet their specific applications. Approved nonstandard parts information can greatly shorten design-and parts selection. Production engineers frequently find new and innovative techniques to improve production processes and reduce production costs. Reliability engineers find the failure mode and failure rate information invaluable during their modeling and assessment studies; the continuous flow of failure experience data may preclude system malfunctions and potential disasters at any point of manufacture and use. Logisticians find mean repair time data useful in projecting logistics support and resupply requirements. Currently industrial organizations are reassessing marketing opportunities for defense business and are discontinuing many of the products used in military and government systems. Logistics engineers and logistics support activities find the DMSMS Notices and Product Change Notices vital to maintaining weapons systems and government equipment. HOW DOES GIDEP OPERATE? GIDEP data is stored in a state-of-the-art text and optical disk storage system. Users can electronically access the GIDEP databases and quickly obtain the precise information needed, download it to a personal computer and print it or store it for later manipulation. Once the document is no longer needed, it can be archived within the users digital storage systems or erased from memory. Renewal of the GIDEP database is dependent upon participants submitting the latest test reports, calibration procedures, reliability statistical data, and failure analysis data. These types of documents normally are generated incidental to on going tasks and contractual requirements. Data, with the exception of failure experience data and product notifications, are not prepared solely for GIDEP. Since it's inception, GIDEP has emphasized the rapid transmission of current information directly to its users. GIDEP, because of its Electronic Document Automated Information System (EDAIS), is able to make information immediately available to users. The philosophy of GIDEP is "to have the information waiting for the user, not the user waiting for information". WHO OPERATES GIDEP? GIDEP is chartered by the DOD Joint Logistics Commanders. Its charter provides for the full exchange of information by government and industry organizations. The Navy provides program management in accordance with an agreement of the Joint Logistics Commanders. The Program Manager exercises executive management for the planning, direction and execution of GIDEP. The Program Manager's office is strategically located with the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Navy, Research, Development and Acquisition for Product Integrity [OASN(RDA)PI], Arlington, VA 22202-5000. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Any industrial organization who supplies items or services to the US Government or to the Canadian Department of National Defence, may request participation in GIDEP. Any government activity which acquires supplies, items, services, facilities or equipment for the government will automatically be authorized as a GIDEP participant if their activity is under any of the forty one sponsoring departments or agencies. WHAT DOES IT COST? GIDEP participants are not subject to any fees or assessments. However, each participating organization must establish an internal program, including at least one appointed GIDEP Representative and one or more users to access the database. Each of the participating organization's users must have computer equipment and printers suitable for retrieving, downloading and printing reports. HOW CAN I JOIN? Any organization which meets the criteria for participation may request an Application for Participation. Applications and additional information may be obtained by contacting: GIDEP Operations Center P.O. Box 8000 Corona, CA 91718-8000 or by calling: (909) 273-4677 FAX (909) 273-5200 ***************************************************************** FROM: Victor Gutierrez Brookhaven National Lab PO Box 5000, Bldg 902B Upton, NY 11793-5000 Voice 516-282-2395 Fax 516-282-7981 E-mail VICG@BNL.GOV