INVITATION TO BIDDERS CONFERENCE AND SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS; MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEMS PROGRAM

Document Type: 
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP78B04770A002900030023-4
Release Decision: 
RIPPUB
Original Classification: 
S
Document Page Count: 
10
Document Creation Date: 
December 28, 2016
Document Release Date: 
August 26, 2005
Sequence Number: 
23
Case Number: 
Publication Date: 
October 14, 1965
Content Type: 
MF
File: 
AttachmentSize
PDF icon CIA-RDP78B04770A002900030023-4.pdf398.11 KB
Body: 
Approved For Release 2005/11/21: CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 -SECRET., NPIC/P&DS-367-65 r 1965 MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Procurement Division, OL ATTENTION THROUGH SUBJECT . Chief, Support Staff, NPIC Invitation to Bidders Conference and Solicitation for Proposals; , PMaterial Handling Systems Program 1. It is requested that the copies of the enclosed R&D document entitled ''Material Handling Systems Program be sent to the organizations listed on the enclosed sheet. Those organizations which are interested in the program may then choose to send repr at'.ves to the "Bidders Conference" in Washington, D. C. on r 1965, at 0930. Following the on ence they may submit their proposals any time before aiJti~~ in response to the objectives set forth in the document and as further enlarged upon a.t'the conference. 2. The nature of the work as set forth in the objectives is classified SECRET, although some requirements may later be lowered in classification. The organizations listed are prospective Prime Contractors and must therefore be cleared through and approved by the Office of Security. Subsequent sub-contractors will also require appropriate security clearances. 3. The Plans and Development Staff plans to commit towards this program during FY-66. Declass Review by NGA. 0 one , Assistant for Plans and Development Enclosures: (1) List of Prospective Bidders (2) Development Objectives Approved For Release 2005/11121=: CIA-RDP78B04770A0029000 25X1 Approved For Release 2005/11/21: CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 Approved For Release 2005/11/21: CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 Approved For Release 2005/11/21: CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 SECRET 1/4 vim 6er," - 1965 INFORMATION/MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM (P ES) 1. INTRODUCTION. This document conveys the background, concept and require- ment of a government sponsored research and development program in the field of information/material handling as it relates to imagery exploitation processes. 1.1 Background. Exploitation requirements for information and materials handling will greatly expand because of the increasing and improving acquisition materials. This, in turn, will require studies and development for handling and reporting the analysis of photo imagery. Investigation and development thus far has provided only limited "on-line" computer capability for the derivation of selected stored information. This program is intended to cover three areas of development necessary to solve the problems arising from the increasing volume of imagery materials which require exploitation, these being: information handling, materials handling, and a resultant data link systems development. This program is concerned with these aspects only and does not address an overall system analysis concerning complete organizational operation. Information and material handling is concerned with methods for the efficient flow of essential knowledge within a system and as used here, refers to the supporting functions which aid and abet the conversion of information. Research in this area is concerned with more effectively, storing, retrieving, and displaying facts and is not to be construed as a system analysis. It is anticipated that initial (FY-66) equipment development will be restricted to immediate short term requirements one of which is anticipated to be an interim closed circuit TV system while the follow-on effort (FY 67 & 68) nrr%n Approved For Rel eS7Qr1E1 /21 : CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 Approved. For Release 20E C ETA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 will concentrate on the expansion of the development plan into a fully inte- grated IMHS. 1.1.1 Information Handling. Study and development is required to allow the photo interpreter to communicate directly through a large- capacity computer to determine the existance of collateral information and to up-date intelligence. One current effort being pursued in support of this requirement is an analysis of the current NPIC substantive data base and of current and projected requirements against that data base. This analysis will result in the formulation of an integrated information processing system concept and of the design specifications which the concept embodies. The design specifications will set forth (a) a data file structure, independent of hardware considerations, which will provide the desired degree of flexibility as determined by the analysis, and (b) a storage and retrieval algorithm which will provide the desired level of responsiveness determined by the analysis. Another effort currently being carried out is the development of a highly versatile data block reader and a time-pip reader which are keyed to the automation of both the substantive reporting and the mensuration processes. 1.1.2 Materials Handling. The predicted increased work loads will require significant advances in the automation of materials handling problems that exist in the areas of both collateral and operational acquisition materials. Methods are needed for reduction in storage requirements and for automation of the storage, retrieval, accountability, and transport processes. One of the most significant problems is that of manual roll-film handling. An anticipated development is an automated, roll-film, handling system for storage, retrieval, accounting and transporting roll film material between the storage vault and Approved For Release 6 HRf TCIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 Approved For Release 203Ep [:qlA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 specific operational zones. Materials such as maps, charts, reports, and previous photography are manually handled in much the same fashion. Studies for analysis of current procedures, predicting workloads, establishing practical levels of automation, and recommending detailed alternative solutions are required. As a result of these studies appropriate hardware should be developed. It is anticipated that control will be handled by a central computer in keeping with established procedures. 1.1.3 Data Link System. A data link system must be developed in anticipation of the advent of real-time, image-transmitting systems for reconnaissance acquisition. Systems of this type will require completely new exploitation techniques and equipment, differing in basic principles from those currently in use. Studies will be needed to define this type of exploitation. Reproduction, storage and retrieval, viewers, and mensuration equipment must be developed in consonance with the needs of the exploitation components; an entire exploitation system for NPIC use must be defined and developed. Allowances should be anticipated for the increased complexities imposed by security requirements, the possible inclusion of color, and the transmission of infrared and radar imagery on a real-time, around-the-clock, all-weather basis. The likelihood of fundamental advances in image transmission technology should also be anticipated. 1.2 Concept. The contracted organization selected to accomplish this research must be capable of independent management of the program. The contracted organization must also: (1) provide or utilize leading technical SECRET Approved For Releas ~~Ef21:CIA-RDP78B04770A002900030023-4 SECRET Approved For Release 2005/11/21: CIA-RDP78B6477OA002900030023-4 a authorities in the field; (2) be responsive to government requirements; (3) be aggressive and effective in achieving the objectives; (4) furnish forthright technical guidance to the government. Representatives of the Government, involved. in this program, will maintain an open mind in evaluating any new concepts which, if successfully pursued, would add to the store of knowledge and advance the state-of-the-art. Organizations engaged in these technical developments are encourages to present new ideas which they believe will advance the program. It is the intention of the Government to permit freedom for imagination and creativity. 1.3 Scope. The program will be planned on the basis of a three year term. This paper defines only broad objectives; proposals in response to them should contain an evaluation of the significance as related to cost and time. Careful utilization of reputable industrial management will be required, as well as obtaining maximum efficiency in all technological aspects. 2. ADMINISTRATION. The Government will retain ultimate control of the pro- gram. Objectives, costs, priorities, sub-contractors and consultants involved in the program come under the purview of the Government and approval must be obtained before these factors are employed. 2.1 Projects. Each project under this program will be divided into major accomplishment/cost phases to facilitate government review and control. 2.2 Contract Information. 2.2.1 The contractor is expected to provide competent and cooperative administrative service; he will be vested with certain authority to control the direction and degree of technical effort within the bounds of the estimated costs. Approved For ReleasSMET : CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 Approved For Release 1~%~1 : CIA-RDP78B04770A002900030023-4 .,2.2.2 The contractor shall be responsible for the work per- formance of his sub-contractors. 2.2.3 The Contracting Officer of the Government will designate a Technical Representative to authorize specific development efforts of the contractor. Such authorization shall be given in the form of written work orders either in its original form or to confirm an oral authorization. 2.2.4 Certain written progress reports will be required on a regular basis by the Technical Representative to include status of projects, money expended, and-money required to complete the projects. In addition, the contractor will be expected to provide the Technical Representative with written reports concerning research and development efforts when deemed advisable by the Government as well as verbal. elaborations as may be desired by the Technical Repre sentative or Contracting Officer. 3. TECHNICAL RD UIRIlMENTS. The preliminary investigative areas of this program are defined as: (1) a study effort to define information handling problems of non-computor and computor oriented data bases as applies to the NPIC, including Real-time, batch processing, and off-line application i.e., 1 cid automated report writing, computor contralRinformation storage, retrieval and handling equipment; (2) a study effort to define rqquirements for efficient handling of photographic and collateral materials in natural and/or cut forms; and (3) a study effort 4 exploitation techniques for imagery and collateral information transmission on a Real-time basis (data link). Approved For Release j~{~~yp ' 'CIA-RDP78B04770A002900030023-4 Approved For Release 20v5r11/ CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 These investigations should consist of, but not be limited to: an u6 0 analysis of the in-house existing and planned methods of information material ~ handling and transmission; the combining of existing and planned techniques and equipment with present or advanced state-of-the-art; and result in the presentation of an integrated development plan for a highly automated IMHS. More, specifically, the technical requirements for carrying out this program within the context of the broad objectives stated above can be broken down into three phases: analysis, concept and design. 3.1 Analysis. Determine current and known future input and output parameters from the.aspect of: a. Physical Properties b. Information Content c. Data Rates d. Volume e.. Data Sources f. Correlation between different inputs.and outputs g. Real-Time Requirements Primary consideration in this analysis should include but not be limited to equipment-both operational and planned; materials-collateral, roll film, cut film and chips; methods - analysis, query, reporting, etc; interface-equipment and methods; requirements-current and practical future; and timeliness. 3.2 Concept. Determine complete concept parameters required to satisfy the results of the analysis (3.1), considering: a. Interpretation/Analysis b. Viewing/Display c. Storage/Retrieval Approved For Releas 'p51 CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 Lt_u SECRET Approved For Release 2005/11/21: CIA-RDP78B04770A002900030023-4 d. Computation e. Data Conversion l r f. Reporting g. Management/Control In addition, an operational flow concept necessary to convert the inputs to the specific outputs, shall be determined considering: inputs to each operation; modes of operation; interrelationship between operations; and output of each operation. 3.3 Design. From results of the analysis phase (3.1) and determination of the concepts (3.2) a design will be formulated which will select the best techniques and equipments to accomplish the operational procedures, cony sidering such criteria as: a. Cost effectiveness of operation b. Accuracy of operation c. Speed of operation d. Compatibility with component operations e. Simplicity f. Reliability g. Flexibility h. Maintenance i. Manning requirements and training j. Growth Potential k. Availability (equipment) 1. Modifications (equipment) in. Configuration - -3.4 Other requirements are: Approved For Release % 1 :CIA-RDP78B04770A002900030023-4 $ l Approved For Release 2005/11/21: CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4 3.4.1 Provide consultation to the Government in the information and materials handling field as well as related data link systems. 3.4.2 Contribute to the establishment of the future research goals. 3.4.3 Awareness of all commerial and other research organizations working in this field. Possession of current and historical 1owlddge in order to preclude duplication of effort and to maintain awareness of the state-of-the-art. Approved For Release 1 2J: CIA-RDP78BO477OA002900030023-4