OPTICAL SUBCONTRACT FOR THE HIGH PRECISION STEREO COMPARATOR PROJECT(Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B05171A000100010012-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 5, 2003
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: October 10, 1967
• Content Type: MFR

Approved For RJDase 2003/12/04: CIA-RDP78B05171AD 0100010012-5
NPIC/TDS/D-1062-67
10 October 1967
SUBJECT: Optical Subcontract for the High Precision Stereo Comparator
Project
2. The TD/DS of NPIC reviewed the proposals of the six leadin con-
tenders for the optical subcontract as well as the findings of Op-
0
1. As a result of a survey and request for proposals from over 120
domestic and foreign optical companies, Q (the prime contractor) recom-
mended High as the subcontractor for the design of the optical system
for the High Precision Stereo Comparator. sed Prof. as
a consultant for one of their visits to and he was favorably im-
pressed with capabilities.
tical Survey. TDS of NPIC aske
or his evaluation of He stated that is one
holds many zoom patents and is well qualified for the job. From a tech-
nical standpoint the 0 was clearly the superior proposal. This was
so stated in NPIC/TDS/D-925-67, dated 7 July 1967 and NPIC/TDS/D-960-67,
dated 3 August 1967.
of the leading optical firms in the World. He further stated that
ized to procee with contract negotiations with
3. The West Coast Procurement Division had the security aspect of
dealing with a foreign contractor investigated. They were given the go
ahead byl SS/OL viaF- _J who is the I _J
Security Officer. The West Coast Procurement Division had an auditor
from the Department of the Army (New York Region, go
over books. After finding everything in order, 0 was author-
4. In mid August 1967 notified 0 that several questionable
items arose during the design compu ations and asked that Q personnel
visit earlier than the scheduled visit of 30 October 1967.
e project manager, passed this information on to the technical
monitor and suggested that resolving the problem areas could be expedited
by having NPIC personnel accompany
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Declass Review by
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5. On 24 August 1967 a rough draft of a memo was prepared by the
technical monitor requesting authorization to travel to to help
resolve the problem areas and guide the direction of the design effort.
This action was approved by the cognizant Branch and Staff Heads in TDS
of NPIC. A smooth copy of this was prepared for the Director's signature
on 18 September 1967 (See NPIC/D/184-67). This memo requested authoriza-
tion for to visit from 23-26
October 1967 and to make stops a o er optical houses in Europe.
6. Durin the intervening period =received several other tele-
grams from I Irequesting an early visit to give them guidance in
problem areas such as: adjustable eyepieces, resolving power of the
system, use of two objective lenses instead of a 2 to 1 telescope, and
approval of zoom ranges of 10 to 100 and 60 to 200. 0 on several oc-
casi ns has asked TDS personnel for a date they could visit 0 with
the representatives. TDS personnel were unable to give them a firm
date but did state they hoped to be able to make the visit on 23 October
1967.
7. On 28 September 1967,1 prepared memo NPIC/TDS/D-1047-
67 on the subject: High Precision Stereo Comparator Proposed Travel to
met with Capt.
for an hour on September 1967 explain-
ing why TDS felt that a visit to I would benefit the project and
NPIC. No definite decision resulted from this meeting. I was
to check Headquarters on the Security aspect of the problem and all would
meet again on 29 September 1967.
8. On 7 October 1967, informed the technical monitor that
the proposed travel had been disapproved by the 6th floor of NPIC.
9. What are the consequences of this administrative decision?
a. TDS will have to rely entirely on the prime contractor
monitoring the subcontract.
b. If decisions are made by that are sound engineering
wise but not operation wise, we at NPIC must accept the con-
sequences and responsibility.
If a major change in purpose or design is presented by
the Q monitor will have to carry
the information to NPIC, await a decision and then notify
of the course of action to undertake.
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d. Delays such as the above could result in time
extensions and overrun situations. The resent cost
of this contract is running at about II per day
for salaries which could contribute to large over-
runs in a very short period.
e. The exchange of information between the con-
tractor and the customer will be further complicated
by transmitting the information through a third party.
f. The excellent opportunity for NPIC to work with
one of the world's leading optical firms is lost.
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8. On 6 October 1967,1 25X1
had a telephone conversation with 25X1
informed them that funds are not available for NPIC personnel
to accompany on the October monitor trip to asked 25X1
to stop by at NPIC on his return trip from nd brief 25X1
TDS of NPIC on the progress of the optical subcontract. agreed 25X1
to this and informed us that he planned a visit to for 23-25 October 25X1
1967.
9. 'nformedIthat I Iwill probably
visit the latter part of December when personnel are there.
TDS/NPIC
Distribution:
Orig - Rt ~ File
2 - ESB/TDS
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