SAVER Document Descriptions

Get an understanding of the SAVER Program definition document types. A downloadable version is available below. If you have any questions please reach out to NUSTL@hq.dhs.gov.

Application Notes contain information and recommendations on the operational use of a specific technology, such as hydraulic rescue tools with alternative-fuel vehicles.

Assessment Reports provide comparative analyses of tested equipment, based on focus group criteria. The reports typically reiterate the criteria established in the focus group, provide an overview of the tests conducted, and present results and weighted scores.

Focus Group Reports list recommended focus group evaluation criteria that fall within the five SAVER program categories for equipment assessment: (1) affordability, (2) capability, (3) deployability, (4) maintainability, and (5) usability. The reports provide details to help emergency responders make equipment acquisition or operational decisions and include recommended assessment scenarios, selection criteria, and participant credentials required to conduct the assessment.

Guides include many features of handbooks but focus primarily on outlining an exemplar selection, procurement, and project management process for a technology.

Handbooks serve as reference documents for emergency responders, covering the capabilities and limitations of current technologies, as well as the technologies’ operating principles and applications.

Highlights are one-page documents that provide overviews of specific SAVER projects. They explain the purpose and objective of each project, who is involved, why it is important to the responder community, and where readers can learn more.

Market Survey Reports provide commercial marketplace snapshots for types of equipment. They list equipment manufacturers, contact information, and salient technical characteristics. For specific markets with a large number of manufacturers, a representative sampling of the market may be featured. Information is gathered through Internet searches, request-for-information announcements listed on the Federal Business Opportunities Website, and other resources.

Product Lists derive from the larger market surveys and provide each product’s name, manufacturer, contact information, and brief description.

Technical Reports provide details and analyses of tested equipment beyond those in the assessment reports.

Technology Guides describe specific technologies and the potential applications of those technologies. They provide a clear understanding of each technology’s operations and limitations and including guidelines for selecting and procuring specific products.

TechNotes are two-page documents that briefly explain what a technology does, its uses, how it works, its relevance to responders, who uses the technology, and where readers can learn more.

SAVER Summaries are four- to seven-page documents that summarize assessment reports, explain focus group criteria, and include significant results and conclusions.

Validation Reports document tests used to confirm manufacturer claims, specifically those of interest to responders making acquisition or operational decisions.