The Government-Industry Data Exchange Program (GIDEP) is an on-line service that fosters cooperative data interchange between government and industry seeking to reduce or eliminate duplicate expenditures of time and money by making use of existing knowledge. The program provides a means to exchange technical data essential in the research, design, development, production, and operational phases of the cycle of systems and equipment. The primary objectives are to improve reliability, quality, productivity, safety and logistics support. A GIDEP participant may be either a government or industry activity engaged in the design, development, test, production, or support of equipment and systems. Universities and consultant firms who qualify may also participate. GIDEP participants may have access to any of the following four data interchanges 1) Engineering Data Interchange, 2) Failure Experience Data Interchange, 3) Reliability- Maintainability Data Interchange and 4) Metrology Data Interchange.
The Failure Experience Data Interchange (FEDI) is the GIDEP data interchange relative to ALERTS, SAFE-ALERTS, and Problem Advisories. The FEDI contains objective failure information generated when significant problems are identified on parts, components, processes, equipment, materials, specifications, or safety hazards. This data includes ALERTS and SAFEALERTS, failure analysis, problem information data and manufacturing sources data. The initiator of an ALERT coordinates the ALERT with the manufacturer (vendor) when applicable then forwards the ALERT to the GIDEP operations center for electronic distribution to all participants. SAFE-ALERTS describe problems usually related to finished products which could have an impact on the safety of personnel or risk damage to facilities or equipment. FEDI Report definitions follow:
1. ALERT - An ALERT reports a problem with parts, components, materials, specifications, manufacturing processes, or test equipment that can cause a functional failure.
2. SAFE-ALERT - A SAFE-ALERT reports a problem that relates to the safety of personnel or equipment.
3. PROBLEM ADVISORY - A Problem Advisory reports 1) preliminary information on a suspected problem, or 2) a problem with parts, components, materials, manufacturing processes, specifications or test equipment that has an unknown or a low probability of causing a functional failure. Problem advisories that report preliminary information must be followed by updated reports at not less than 30 day intervals until resolved or cancelled.
This evaluator determines whether the alert should be considered a FULL ALERT, Information ALERT, or No Action Required, which is entered onto an evaluation form. These three categories are defined as follows:
1. A FULL ALERT is a serious problem which involves a high probability of causing a failure in quality sensitive equipment. The FULL ALERT should be disseminated immediately for investigation and a required response.
2. An Information ALERT reports a minor problem with low risk of affecting quality sensitive equipment. It will be disseminated for information and will require a response only if it results in an impact.
3. No Action Required is a classification that is applied to conditions which do not represent valid problems or have no impact on quality sensitive equipment.