Hi, all,
I have an offshore customer who wants to work together on some dual-use infrared imaging technology. That of course is one of the hot buttons of ITAR, so in order to make sure that I stay out of jail, I'll need at very least to get an official determination of whether it's allowed or not. (There's a documented process for doing that--apparently you just send in a description of what you're planning to do, and they tell you "yes" or "no".)
Back in the day (like around 2001, the last time I needed to worry about this) there was a specific exemption in the US Munitions List for infrared imagers using PVDF, but that seems to be gone now, so I have to be extra-careful.
I know that big military contractors have whole departments devoted to ITAR compliance, but I have no idea what's it like for small outfits.
I'd like to do the work, because it's interesting and might actually advance the cause of civilization a little, but it isn't worth risking that kind of trouble.
What I'd like to know is if anyone here has experience doing ITAR-controlled work, especially in a small outfit. Easy? Dangerous?
Thanks
Phil Hobbs