data item descriptions

The terminology of DIDs and the term contract data requirements list (CDRL) originated with US military procurements, and it is now often encountered in other large procurements that are modeled after the military procurement process.{{cite web | title=Deliverables: CDRLs and DIDs | url=http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/enterprise-solutions/deliverable-cdrls-amp-dids-31435 | publisher=Toolbox.com |accessdate=July 5, 2012}} Within a military solicitation or contract, each DID is uniquely numbered to identify the data deliverables in terms of specific information such as: purpose, description, preparation instructions including a table of contents and descriptions of each section, and references to the Contract Statement of work (SOW).

Practices and terms where definition is given by MIL-STD-963:

• Tailoring of data requirements. The deletion of the applicability of a portion of the data requirements from an approved DID that are unnecessary to meet the needs of a specific contract.
• Format. The desired organization, structure, or arrangement of the content of the data product described by the DID. This term relates to the shape, size, makeup, style, physical organization, or arrangement of the data product described in the DID.
• Content. The desired subject(s), topic(s), or element(s) which constitutes the data product described in the DID (for example, a string of defined data elements for entry into a Government database; a listing of paragraph titles or topics for inclusion in a data deliverable) under general topics; or subject matter which may be further defined into sub-topics. For a specific contract, the content of a deliverable shall contain information that fulfills the requirements identified in the CDRL and the description of the DID. Documents should have section numbers and titles matching to the subsections of the DID content description for easier application and use.

• DID number: Each DID is assigned a unique three-part identifier by the DID approval authority. An example DID number for repetitive use is DI-SESS-80013B (DI- Data Item; SESS – four character code for the "Systems Engineering" Standardization Area [see "SD-1, Standardization Directory"{{cite web|title=SD-1, Standardization Directory |url=http://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=113341 |publisher=United States Department of Defense | df=mdy }} for descriptions]; 80013 assigned by ASSIST Automated Document Number Module, and B the sequential version). An example DID number for one-time use is OT-13-1000 (OT- One Time; 13 – fiscal year issued; 10000 – the first number assigned in FY13 by the Army).{{huh?|date=January 2024|reason=is the first sequence number 4 digits or 5?}}

Since DID documents are what contract mechanics cause to be produced, the defined content guidelines and their terminologies are commonly referred to in United States Military Standards or other forms of procedural and administrative guidance of the United States Department of Defense.

Writers of a SOW often include requirements that belong in other parts of a contract. Specifically, quantitative technical requirements are addressed in the military specification and work requirements are specified in the SOW, and data requirements (e.g., delivery, format, and content) should be in the CDRL along with the appropriate DID to minimize the potential for conflict.{{Citation | title=MIL-HDBK-245D, Department of Defense: Handbook for Preparation of Statement of Work (SOW) | year=1996 | pages=ii | url=http://www.everyspec.com/MIL-HDBK/MIL-HDBK-0200-0299/MIL-HDBK-245D_1888/ |publisher=United States Department of Defense |accessdate=March 18, 2015}}{{Citation | title=MIL-HDBK-245D, Department of Defense: Handbook for Preparation of Statement of Work (SOW) | year=1996 | pages=ii | url=http://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=53962 |publisher=United States Department of Defense |accessdate=March 18, 2015}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

• [http://quicksearch.dla.mil DoD ASSIST Quick search website, public site for access to DIDs]
• [https://assist.dla.mil DoD ASSIST website, public-restricted site for access to DIDs]
• [https://discover.dtic.mil/ Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC) website]
• [http://www.everyspec.com/DATA-ITEM-DESC-DIDs/ EverySpec access to PDFs of common DIDs]
• [http://www.abelia.com/498pdf/SSS-DID.PDF Abelia example DID, System/Subsystem Specification as used in MIL-STD-498] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713060636/http://www.abelia.com/498pdf/SSS-DID.PDF |date=July 13, 2017 }}

Category:Government procurement in the United States

Category:Military of the United States standards

Category:Systems engineering

Category:Military terminology of the United States