Frequently Asked Questions

How does D&K structure its contracts financially (T&M, fixed cost, etc)?

• Projects are normally structured on a T&M basis; fixed cost is utilized on a limited basis
  

What is a typical project size?

• D&K projects range from $3,000 to $500,000 plus.

What is the typical length of a project?

• D&K project length can range from a few weeks to a year or more.
  

How quickly can you start?

• Knowing the detailed scope of the project and the anticipated start date, we can ramp up within a few days.

Do you work on-site at client’s office or off-site?

• Most of D&K’s work is done at the engineering facility in San Diego. We occasionally work on-site at client’s facility when required by the client.

How long does it take to obtain a quote?

• Within 3 -5 business days

What are the steps to engaging with D&K?

• R&D
• Manufacturing

How big is D&K? (Revenue and Employees)

What type of R&D tools and equipment do you have?

• D&K Engineering uses the latest R&D tools and equipment available. For detailed information, go to our Capabilities section on our website. (This will be a link)

Do you co-develop with your clients on occasion?

• Yes. (Need some detail here)

What markets do you serve?

• D&K Engineering has developed special market-leading expertise in the commercial, consumer, military/government, industrial, renewable energy and medical/life sciences sectors.

How do you handle projects in which you are not geographically in close proximity?

• Project kickoff is in-person. Each client project or manufacturing effort is assigned a program manager who serves as the primary interface to a particular client. This program manager is responsible for providing regular updates (usually bi-weekly) to the client regarding program status as it pertains to technical status, schedule and budget. These updates usually take the form of face-to-face meetings or phone conferences, followed by written reports to document status and any decisions made.

What CAD programs do you use?

• D&K Engineering utilizes the latest tools. For detailed information on the CAD programs utilized by D&K, go to our Capabilities section on our website. (This will be a link)

How much do you cost?

• D&K Engineering’s rates are based on the scope of the project and level of work that is required for a specific project.

How do you decide where your R&D resources are used? (US, Singapore, China)

• Determined by technical expertise and domain knowledge required, bandwidth and cost parameters

How do you decide where to manufacture products?

• Logistic requirements and cost considerations of the project

Do you always manufacture the products you design?

• No. Clients can initiate work with D&K anywhere throughout the product development cycle.

Do you do industrial design?

• No. We do work closely with independent, reputable industrial design firms.

What kind of post product release support do you provide?

• Depends on the customer contract; can range from documentation to distribution and refurbishment and upgrade support

What is your minimum size project?

• No minimum size project

What stage of the product lifecycle do you start your engagement?

• D&K Engineering can engage with organizations at any point in the product development process.

How do you work with your Asian design center?

• We are totally and fully integrated.

What type of services do you provide?

• D&K Engineering delivers full turnkey development and manufacturing services as well as focused projects to address a specific client need anywhere along the product life cycle. Typical services include: Turnkey Design and Manufacturing, Design and Prototyping, Concept and Analysis, Commercialization and Manufacturing, Value Engineering and Contract Manufacturing.

What type of organizations do you work with?

• D&K Engineering has become a trusted partner with start-ups to multi-billion dollar corporations.

Steps to starting an R&D project?

• Define the statement of work to determine the scope of project

D&K, DKE and Encus relationship?

• Need some detail here.

What type of system’s are in place for data backup and security?

• All servers run on redundant drive systems. Procedures are also in place to backup desktop hard drivers, although 99% of data is stored on centralized systems.
• All systems are backed up both short and long term by autoloader and rotating tape sets for on and offsite back and short/medium term archival of all server data for disaster recovery. In addition, there are multiple sets of disk-based back, both on and offsite, for long-term archiving. All offsite backup data is encrypted. 
• Networks have layered hardware and software firewalls with content filtering overlays.
• All project data is secured by user account and project group

Do computerized systems include a disaster recovery plan?

• Yes. All servers run on redundant drive systems. Procedures are also in place to backup desktop hard drivers, although 99% of data is stored on centralized systems.
• All systems are backed up both short and long term by autoloader and rotating tape sets for on and offsite back and short/medium term archival of all server data for disaster recovery. In addition, there are multiple sets of disk-based back, both on and offsite, for long-term archiving. All offsite backup data is encrypted. 
• Backups are done in such a way that computer systems can be easily replicated on new hardware for disaster recovery purposes.

How quickly can you increase capacity? Eng and Mfg?

• D&K Engineering has a flexible business model that allows us to increase capacity quickly based on the project requirements. Estimated time periods to increase capacity:
• 10% - Engineering: 2 weeks; Manufacturing: 0 weeks
• 25% - Engineering: 8 weeks; Manufacturing: 0 weeks
• 50% - Engineering: 16 weeks; Manufacturing: 4 weeks

Do you have an internal audit program?

• D&K Engineering performs internal audits to the ISO 13485, Canadian Medical Device Regulations (SOR/98-282), AS9100 Aerospace, and ISo9001 standards. Our Quality Department schedules and maintains our internal audit results in a database. D&K has documented procedure, D00027 Internal Audit, which outlines our procedure for conducting internal audits. We have a team of trained internal auditors who perform our internal audits. We also have external auditors, consultants, who assist us in performing internal audits and help train our team of auditors.

Is the facility ISO registered?

• Yes. Yes. D&K maintains the following Quality Certifications:
  • ISO9000        Standard for Quality Management
  • AS9100         Standard for Aerospace Quality Management
  • ISO13485     Management System, Design and Manufacture of Medical Devices
• Detailed information about our certifications can be found on the Certifications section on our website.

How do you notify clients of changes in delivery/completion dates?

• Each client project or manufacturing effort has an assigned program manager who serves as the primary interface to a particular client. This program manager is responsible for providing regular updates (usually bi-weekly) to the client regarding program status as it pertains to technical status, schedule, and budget. These updates usually take the form of face-to-face meeting or phone conferences, followed by written reports to document status and any decision made.

Do you have employee training and education programs?

How do clients engage with D&K?

• Mutual NDA’s are signed.
• Client sends D&K Statement of Work
• D&K reviews SOW and develops clarifying statements and assumptions, prepares quote/proposal
• Client reviews quote/proposal
• Both parties agree on Terms and Conditions
• Client issues PO
• D&K accepts PO and begins work.