REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE WIDE PRINT STRAIGHTENER PROJECT(Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A002500100001-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: May 12, 2005
• Sequence Number: 1
• Publication Date: October 12, 1966
• Content Type: MF

Approved For Release 2CNIDEI DMALB04770A0025001 010't-
Declass Review by NGA.
NPIC/P DS/D/6-1618
12 October 1"6
21tAM Uii FOR iarector. National Photofrnph c Ieterpretati:+ a Center
Request for Approval of the wide Print Straightener
row FT IN07 = ag
Pro eel with $he
REFERENCE.- Chief. P.d aiaistrctive Staff, 0A )DI i rand t of
4 February 1964 on `YApprov.1 of R.4 Activities.
1., The Wide Print Straightener Project as been prepered fay
approval in order for contract negt-tiatio, s to be. a riea{ out
VY. 1367. This project will result in the devge1onvent of a pratatr e
print straightener capable of haad1Irg black and white phota ,r*phie
prints up to 30 fiches rai:do and fulfil, as imp ta.nt ro uirenent in
the Prrc aI ctio a. Services Division.
level of
monde that this roject be ap p va at a fu
as FY 1967.
Ceia; el,. AF
Assistant for Plans W Dev01o ent, PIC
Attt c1c ent s . a/s
APPRaO
The attached staff study, tails, aad contract proposal present
in r sticn aas Justification for this project.
AR.TI U 1 C L UM)AU ..._ ,, _.,... .
Director
n&1 Photographic Interpretation Center
bistrihution
Original and I ... Mdressea
1 FIC/8S/~.t
3 PIC/PtS/1
NPIC/P$DS/DBI
1966)
Os 1966
GROUP t
Erciaded from aatemat
dougrading aii
dectassitication
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BEST COPY
Available
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3 October 1966
WIDE PRINT STRAIGHTENER
(Project 10097)
1. PROBLEM.
To develop a straightener for the large photographic prints required
by NPIC for briefing purposes.
2. FACTS BEARING ON THE PROBLEM.
a. Large prints are used by NPIC to provide briefings on mission
results.
b. All newly processed photographic prints have a decided curl
due to the differential drying of the emulsion and the paper base,
making them difficult to handle unless flattened by a print straightener.
c. Commercially available print straighteners will not accept
photographic prints more than 1-6 inches wide.
d. Since briefing prints moist be considerably larger in size than
16 inches for effective presentu.ti=, it is necessary to employ a time-
consuming process to mount them on a stable backing.
3. DISCUSSION.
a. Current Procedure - Large photographic prints are presently
delivered from the photo laboratory in a curled condition, making it
necessary for the user to mount them on a hardboard base before they
b. Origin of Concept - By a memorandum dated 7 July 1965, the
Production Services Division, NPIC, stated a requirement for two print
straighteners capable of handling prints 26 to 30 inches in width and
requested the Plans and Development Staff to investigate the feasibility
of developing a wide print straightener. The subsequent investigation
considered commercially available equipment, modifications to'commercial
equipment, and new designs. It was determined that the commercial equip-
ment could not be modified to meet the requirement and a new design was
necessary to handle the large size prints.
c. Proposed Program - This project is for the development of a
prototype print straightener capable of handling black and white photo-
graphic prints up to 30 inches wide. Dependent upon the test and
evaluation of the prototype, an improved version is also planned.
Operational and maintenance literature as well as specifications and
drawings will be required.
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d. Selection of Contractor - Development Objectives were prepared
and forwarded to the Office of Logistics in November 1965 for solicita-
tion of proposals. By January 1966 no.formal proposals had resulted
from the solicitation. Two qualified local facilities were then formally
contacted. Resultant proposals from both companies
submission was extremely oriei and lacking in essential de-
tails. Efforts to obtain more detail resulted in verbal commitments
but to date a revised proposal has not been received. It is felt that,
although is qualified and fully aware of the require-
ments, it has applied very little effort and time to the specifics in
the proposal, and intends to work out the details after being awarded
the contract. Thus, in spite of the fact that I Iwas the
low bidder, further consideration of the roposal is felt
unwarranted. .
Thel proposal, on the other hand, is well prepared, and
indicates that considerable time and effort was expended in preparation.
All details are covered and the design parameters of the several compo-
nent parts are technically sound. The selection of materials for the
various moving parts, tables, sir'-., etc., are the preferred types for
this application. The approach to the complete operation indicates
awareness of the requirements. A plant visit was made to inspect the
company's facilities and to further discuss the development objectives.
The results of this visit and the thoroughness of the proposal indicate
that the contract award t will result in superior equipment.
e. Coordination - The selection of thel proposal has
been coordinated and concurred in by the Production Services Division,
NPIC, and by the Plans and Development Staff, NPIC. This project has
been coordinated with DDS&T/ORD,and has been presented to the intelli-
gence community by the distribution of the 1966 edition of the P&DS
publication, "NPIC Equipment Summary." This has also been presented
to the members of the "Committee on Photographic Exploitation " (COPE).
were evaluated.
f. Alternatives - Alternatives to the solution of curled briefing
prints are: 1 Continuation of the present method of requiring hard-
back mounting of prints; (2) Acceptance of the lower cost proposal and
probable delivery of an inferior piece of equipment.
4. CONCLUSIONS.
Thel proposal evidences complete understanding of the
task and technical competence to achieve all of the requirements. The
company has the required personnel and facilities, and the funding as
quoted seems reasonable and justifiable. There is every reason to
expect a satisfactory item within the five-month schedule and at the
cost quoted.
5. RECOMMENDATIONS.
It is recommended that the proposal of the
25~
25
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25X
be accepted for the development of this equipment
i5"_
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and that a fixed-price contract for
be negotiated on the 25
proposal. 25
basis of the Development Objectives andl
6. REFERENCES & ATTACHMENTS.
TAB A - R&D Catalog Form
TAB B - Development Objectives
TAB C - Program Phasing
Attachment - Proposal
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R& D CATALOG FORM
DATE
31 1966
1.
PROJECT TITLE/CODE NAME
2. SHORT Pi'n rT DESCRIPTION
Wide Print Straightener
Development of a photo print straightener for
removing the curl from freshly processed photographic
prints.
5.
CLASS OF CONTRACTOR 6. TYPE OF CONTRACT
Manufacturer
7.
FUNDS
8. REQUISITION NO.
9. BUDGET PROJECT NO.
FY 19 66 $ None
NP-R-9-10097
FY 19 67
10. EFFECTIVE CONTRACT DATE
(Begin - end)
11. SECURITY CLASS.
A.A. - Confidential
T
U
l
ifi
d-
. -
nc
e
ass
FY 19 68 $ None
30 November 66 - 30 April 67
W. - Unclassified
12.
RESPONSIBLE DIRECTORATE/OFFICE/PROJECT OFFICER TELEPHONE EXTENSION
DDI/NPIC/P&DS
13.
REQUIREMENT/AUTHOP.ITY
PSD/LB has a requirement to straighten 30 inch wide photographic prints.
Equipment capable of meeting this requirement is not available.
14.
TYPE OF WORK TO BE DONE
Engineering Development
15.
CATEGORIES OF EFFORT
MAJOR CATEGORY
SUBCATEGORIES
Reproduction Techniques &
Reproduction
Materials
Processors
16.
END ITEM OR SERVICES FROM THIS CONTRACT/IMPROVEMENT OVER CURRENT SYSTEM. EQUIPMENT. ETC.
One prototype print straightener, wide print.
17.
SUPPORTING OR RELATED CONTRACTS (Agency & Other)/COORDINATION
There is no known equipment either under development or available
commercially which will satisfy this requirement. This has been coordinated with
DDS&T/ORD, disseminated to the intelligence community through the 1966 NPIC
Equipment Summary and presented to the Committee on Photographic Exploitation,
18.
DESCRIPTION OF INTELLIGENCE REQUIREMENT AND DETAILED TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (Continue on addi_
tional page if required)
Briefing prints are frequently made in sizes as large as 30 inches in
width. This item will be used to remove curl from these prints, thus
permitting their use without mounting. Deliverable items will include the
prototype print straightener, monthly and final reports and such specifications
and drawings as may be required for subsequent procurement of the item.
19.
APPROVED BY AND DATE
OFFICE DEPUTY DIRECTOR DDCI
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