Frequently Asked Questions

What is technical consulting?

Technical consultants like those at our firm provide guidance and recommendations on projects, products, and processes that require scientific or engineering expertise. Whether it’s a roll of tape or a jet engine, we answer questions such as:

How should my new product be packaged, and what else should come with it?
How do we set up a factory line to make our new product?
Who can we depend on that makes the various parts we need?
What kind of adhesive do we need?
What raw materials are necessary?
How should my new product be packaged, and what else should come with it?
What material should I use for my product?
How can I improve an existing product?
Why is my product failing, and how can I fix it?
How can I make my product stronger, lighter, safer, or more durable?
How do I test a new product before bringing it to market?
How can I determine whether my prototype is ready for production?
How can I reduce manufacturing costs without sacrificing quality?
How can I make my manufacturing process more efficient?
How do I solve a recurring manufacturing or quality-control problem?
How can I improve the reliability and performance of my product?
How do I determine why a material or component failed?
How do I choose the right manufacturing process for my product?
How do I find and qualify a manufacturer or supplier?
How can I find an alternative material, component, or supplier?
How do I establish a quality assurance and quality control program?
How can I scale a product from prototype to full production?
How can I redesign a product that failed testing or certification?
How do I determine whether a new technology will work for my application?
How can I bring a new product from concept to market?

How can your technical consulting firm help me on a grant?

We participate in grants and proposals on an advisory level.

If we hire Technoir, will you help market our product to your connections?

We’re happy to make introductions and help you develop relationships. However, we cannot represent you in financial transactions, which includes not directly promoting your product.

Will Technoir make a presentation on behalf of our company?

We are happy to edit and make suggestions on presentations. However, as outside contractors, we cannot represent your company in this sort of capacity.

Does your technical consulting firm provide market assessments?

Our business-side expertise covers problems that could arise (licensing issues, etc) and hurdles to overcome (such as market clearance) in bringing a project to market. We can help connect you with other experts in terms of predicting possible outcomes and income.

Our firm & credentials

How do I find an engineering consultant for a specialized project?

For your specialized project, Technoir makes that search easier by connecting you with one or more of our highly experienced engineers, scientists, and subject matter experts whose expertise closely matches the project. Many of our consultants hold or have held positions as research engineers with government or university labs. Others are business executives and creative designers.

How do you avoid conflicts of interest when working with consultants who have government experience?

All of our consultants operate conflict-free under signed consultant agreements. Additionally, each consultant is insured by Technoir to guard against any potential conflicts. Everything our consultants do is a product of your company. The only thing we take is the hourly rate we charge.

Do your tech consultants already have security clearances?

Some of our consultants have had or have security clearances in their jobs. Those security clearances apply only to the consultant’s work with the individual employer. If a security clearance is required for a consultant, it is up to the company to obtain that clearance for them.

Are you a technical consulting company registered with SAM.gov?

Yes, and we have a vast amount of experience with government contracts.

Scope of services

Does your consulting firm help with product development through the full life cycle, from concept to launch?

Yes, Technoir can support the full product lifecycle, from early-stage concept development and material selection through testing, manufacturing, and commercialization. Each engagement begins with the subject matter expertise required for the immediate scope of work. As the project progresses and new technical needs emerge, Technoir can seamlessly bring in specialists from other disciplines, ensuring the right expertise is applied at each stage. This flexible model allows the consulting team to evolve with the project without requiring the client to source and manage multiple independent consultants.

Can you support both regulated industries (medical, aerospace, defense) and commercial consumer products simultaneously?

Yes, we have a carefully chosen team of consultants that spans industries and commercial consumer products. When you need a different consultant for a new task, we seamlessly hand off the project.

Do you have in-house testing and prototyping capabilities, or do you manage third-party labs and facilities on our behalf?

We don’t have in-house testing, but we have many connections to third-party testing labs. We will recommend tests and tell you who can do it. We can also provide questions for you to ask and help analyze the data. As the project evolves, we seamlessly transition to the specialist best suited to each new technical requirement. The agreement and cost to do the tests is between you and the testing company.

How do you approach material selection when cost, performance, sustainability, and compliance requirements are in conflict with each other?

These four things are always in conflict with each other to some extent. We provide a variety of choices for the client to consider. Our No. 1 criterion is performance, followed by cost (raw materials plus development, processing, regulatory costs, amount of testing necessary). All are considered when making our recommendations.

Manufacturing & supply chain

Do you have established relationships with domestic and international manufacturers, and can you help us evaluate and qualify them?

Our relationships with manufacturers, both international and domestic, save our clients time, headaches, and money. We have set up numerous supply chains. As a result, we’ve been in places and companies most people don’t get to see. We know where to send you to move your vision into the marketplace.

How do you handle supply chain disruptions during a product's development or launch phase?

We learned a long time ago that you should never rely on a single source supply. Supply chains are always going to be disrupted, so we strengthen supply chain resilience by developing qualified alternative sources and helping clients manage them effectively.

Can you assist with QA/QC program development, not just one-time testing?

Yes, our consultants have a wide array of experience making and testing products. Drawing on extensive product development, manufacturing, and testing experience, we can establish quality systems that incorporate statistically valid sampling, appropriate test methodologies, and calibrated equipment to provide confidence that results are representative of overall production. The goal is to build quality control into the process itself, creating a repeatable, data-driven system for monitoring performance, identifying variation, and maintaining consistent product quality over time—allowing you to do as little testing as possible while maintaining the assurance of quality.

Working relationship & commercial terms

How do you structure consulting contracts — retainer, milestone-based, time-and-materials, or a combination?

We offer both retainer-based and hourly consulting arrangements, depending on the scope and needs of the project. Anything beyond the scope of a retainer reverts to an hourly rate.

What does your NDA and IP protection framework look like, and who owns work product developed during the engagement?

An NDA framework is built into every client contract. We don’t need IP protection because we don’t generate IP. Our clients retain ownership of everything our consultants work on during an engagement.

What’s your typical client load, and how do you ensure our project gets adequate attention?

Our workload varies, but every client is treated like they’re our only client.

Have you ever had a client product fail in the market or during testing, and what did you learn from it?

At Technoir, we suggest, advise, and recommend, but we don’t make products. We will never run a piece of test equipment for a client, but we will review the results of testing and make recommendations. Every decision is made by the client.

Is there a way to disengage once a contract is in place?

Yes, this is within the contract. You can disengage via several different avenues.