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Applications | Feb. 3, 2022

Quick Search - Basic Search in ASSIST

ASSIST Quick Search graphic
ASSIST Quick Search graphic
ASSIST Quick Search graphic
Photo By: DLA Public Affairs
VIRIN: 220214-D-D0441-8008


Quick Search in ASSIST Information

Quick Search is a public website that lets users search for defense and federal specifications and standards, military handbooks, commercial item descriptions, data item descriptions, MS detail drawings, Qualified Product Lists (QPLs), and related technical documents prepared in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Defense Standardization Program (DSP). In most cases, users may download documents that have been cleared for public release. Metadata and files for indexed documents are drawn from ASSIST (https://assist.dla.mil ). Both ASSIST and Quick Search are updated during a nightly process that runs each business day. QPL data is drawn from the Qualified Products Database, which is also updated each business day.

ASSIST is a robust, comprehensive web site used by standardization management activities to develop, coordinate, distribute, and manage DSP technical documents. Managed by the DSP Automation Office (DSPAO) in Philadelphia, ASSIST also provides access to selected international standardization agreements, such as NATO standards ratified by the United States and International Test Operating Procedures; however, these types of documents are not available from Quick Search. Since it always has the most current information, ASSIST is the official source for specifications and standards used by DoD. There are technical documents indexed in ASSIST, and the ASSIST document database has PDF files associated with of the indexed documents.

Quick Search Basic Search provides several ways to search for documents. Depending on the method selected, search terms entered, filters selected, or date range specified, a search may locate a single document or return a list of documents. Each listed document has a unique identifier (called a Document ID) and each is linked to a Document Details page that displays information about the document and lists all available document parts comprising that document's revision history.

If a file is available, a PDF (pdf) icon is displayed next to the document part in the revision history. Clicking on the icon opens the file in PDF format and it can then be saved or printed by clicking on the appropriate icon near the bottom of the screen. If the file is available only in non-digital format, a shopping cart icon (warehouse) is displayed to the left of the document part to indicate that it is a warehouse item that must be ordered from the DSPAO using ASSIST. When a padlock icon ( lock) is displayed to the left of a document part, it means distribution of that file is controlled. Access may, or may not, be available from ASSIST, depending on each user’s credentials.

Screenshot of Quick Search ASSIST Application
Screenshot of Quick Search ASSIST Application
Screenshot of Quick Search ASSIST Application
Screenshot of Quick Search ASSIST Application
Screenshot of Quick Search ASSIST Application
Photo By: DLA Public Affairs
VIRIN: 220328-D-D0441-8107


Assistance and Contact Information

ASSIST Service Desk

  • Phone: 215-737-8000
  • M - F 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM EST
  • Account questions (registering, login, unlocking, password reset, etc.), document search, QPD, etc.