Project Examples
U.S. Department of Energy Domestic Scientific Data Processing
Delta-21 Project Teams provide services to support the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in its unclassified and classified domestic information capture and processing responsibilities. This includes various direct and indirect activities to prepare documents or descriptions of documents for user access in a variety of forms and products, including digitizing of all the Energy Department generated day-to-day research documents. Our team field collects and data mines information to create a Virtual Library System. This Energy Science and Technology Virtual Library environment was created to provide state-of-the-art tools and technologies to enable researchers, scientist, engineers, and program managers to experiment, collaborate, search, retrieve, and share results through a web-based platform. Delta-21 also prepares bibliographic citations for technical papers from journals and conference proceedings, patents and full text research reports for inclusion on the Energy Database. In addition to receiving information directly from within the DOE complex, this involves the outside acquisition (including data mining) of technical information from third party scientific literature.
International Atomic Energy Agency Scientific Data Processing
The ability of our team to digitally capture and accurately validate Energy Department information throughout the country resulted in a request for our team to develop a new international system; capable of converting the complex and diverse computer languages and data metrics of 104 countries and 19 international organizations with unilateral data sharing agreements with the United States. This web-based exchange is known as the worldwide nuclear energy information exchange and is independently monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency. Delta-21’s team developed a unique and innovative system. The processing software and operating platform was engineered for dynamic adjustment for evolving international agreement rules and formats, adjustments to variations in format from specific countries, and changes in participating entities data programs. The series of processing programs is very complex, yet flexible.
U.S. Department of Agriculture National SNAP Inspections
The Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) is responsible for the administration of the National Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly known as the Food Stamp Program). Delta-21 was contracted to conduct retail inspection surveys throughout 14 states to collect field data observations, digital photos, and electronic sketches; and to monitor program eligibility and investigations into fraud.
Our team developed electronic methods for field data capture, surveillance, progress tracking, and implemented a government web-based interface for data exchanges. Delta-21's cutting-edge electronic system provided the FNS with real-time accurate, in-depth reports analyzing the data on a state and regional level. In addition, this program had several report functions, one of which allowed Delta-21 to compare newly issued retail stores with stores recently issued, thereby eliminating duplicate store reviews and saving FNS funds. The system archived and indexed old information from previous years automatically pulling historical investigation data in an easy-to-use format, including digital photos and building sketches, for immediate comparisons and informed decision making by FNS personnel and USDA OIG Special Agents.
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, FDA
The Tobacco Control Act of 2009 amended the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act) by adding a new chapter granting the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authority to regulate the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products to protect the public health and to reduce tobacco use by minors. The Center for Tobacco Products (CTP) has a requirement to verify and update the data associated with tobacco retail outlets in the States and U.S. Territories that are available in the FDA’s Tobacco Inspection Management System (TIMS), and to collect information on other tobacco retail outlets not currently in TIMS. Delta-21 was contracted to validate the information in TIMS for all 50 States and all 6 U.S. Territories, including Washington D.C., through a variety of data mining techniques together with onsite photographic verification of retailer locations.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, APHIS
Since 2011, Delta-21 field inspection teams have been involved in a national emergency response for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to detect, inspect, quarantine, and participate in eradication or recovery planning from invasive species introduced inadvertently through Air, Rail, or Cargo Ship transportation corridors into North America. The USDA, APHIS is tasked with protecting the nations plant and animal resources and regulating these materials through interstate and international commerce.
In 2016, the USDA through an open competitive bid process divided the country into 6 regional districts. As a small business, Delta-21 received successful awards of all 6 regional contracts which expanded our inspection processes and survey data collection nationwide. The focus of the overall task was to develop a national field data collection, survey, and inspection strategy for environmental survey data collected in support of an invasive insect species introduced into North America from Asia. To target survey locations based upon a predictive distribution model, and work with the public, state, municipalities, state regulatory enforcement, and Native American Tribal Nation stakeholders to obtain permissions and collect supporting field data.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, APHIS
Delta-21 management integrated cutting-edge data collection technologies and animal resources. As part of the National Dog Detector Program, APHIS uses detector dogs, primarily in airports, mail facilities, border crossings, and cargo ports. Delta-21 has been developing trained dogs to integrate into our field response teams to detect the Asian Long-horned Beetle and Emerald Ash Borer, two invasive insect species introduced through shipping corridors into the United States from Asia. These insect species threaten North American natural resources and billions of dollars in state economic losses. In addition, our dog teams support federal natural disaster responses.