DEVLOPMENT OBJECTIVES - MATERIALS HANDLING STUDY (NON-DIGITALLY STORED DATA)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A001800010036-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 13, 2012
• Sequence Number: 36
• Publication Date: December 20, 1966
• Content Type: MISC

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20 DeceMber 1966
DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
MATERIALS HANDLING STUDY (Non-Digitally Stored Data)
1. Introduction. This document comprises the background, concept,
and requirements of a Government sponsored program to improve the handl-
ing and storage of non-digital information and material (i.e., that not
practical for computer storage). However, indexes to this information
and material will be maintained in an existing computer complex.
2. Background. In the imagery exploitation process the two major
ingredients supplied to the photo interpreter are the imagery (photography
and other image forming sensors), and collateral material (maps, magazines,
ground photography, reports, etc.). There are several million square
feet of imagery and millions of pages of collateral information stored
and utilized at NPIC. The input of both classes of material is increas-
ing at an alarming rate. The basic problem is to store, retrieve, reproduce,
control, and transport these materials on a timely basis. The ultimate
objective is to deliver the necessary information to the user in the short-
est practical time and most efficient manner. The contractor is to study
all of the aspects of film and collateral material handling and storage
pd will be free to suggest any techniques and/or equipment that will re-
solve the problem areas. Some in-house study has already been performed,
and the following information provides further background and briefly
describes some of the conceptions of the study.
2.1 Imagery Use. Essentially, there are two ways of handling
film at NPIC--in roll form or cut pieces commonly called "chips". When
new film first arrives at NPIC, it is in roll form and many personnel
have an immediate need for it. Even though there may be as many as seven
copies of each roll, the demand for certain rolls may exceed the supply,
particularly when there are several different targets on the same roll.
On the other hand, there may be no demand for any of the seven copies
of another roll since it does not contain any imagery requiring imme-
diate interpretation. This led to the concept of a "chip" system where
small rectangular pieces of film would be reproduced from the rolls.
Under this system those areas which are in immediate demand by the photo
interpreters would be located and reproduced in multiple copies. Less
than one per cent of the total film coverage might need to be duplicated
in this manner. There are techniques that have been developed which
would assist in automatically selecting the desired areas to be duplicated.
This concept has not been formally implemented to date, although most photo
interpreters have been cutting out their own chips. The size of the chips
varies from 2" x 2" upwards and are mounted in a variety of ways. Advan-
tages of such chips are: the fact that a whole roll of film is not tied
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up while interpreting one target, convenience of handling, convenience
in attaining stereo coverage, ease of maintaining a personal working
file, mobility in moving the imagery from one viewing instrument to
another, and the use of more convenient, simpler, and higher quality
optical instruments than are presently available for viewing roll film.
It is important that all the many ramifications of this concept be con-
sidered during the study--leading to validation or rejection of such
a system.
2.2 Imagery Storage and Transportation. Over 50,000 rolls of
film are presently available at NPIC. Each roll contains an average
of 200 linear feet of film and is stored in a cylindrical container.
This material occupies 9000 square feet of floor space in a film library.
The study must include the problem of storage and the transportation of
imagery materials, in line with the concept developed for their use, from
a central location to various offices in this multi-story building. This
is a problem of immediate concern, and it may be appropriate to suggest
an interim solution. The system must include provisions to control and
record the location of the film at all times. The same system could
possibly be used for transporting collateral materials.
2.3 Collateral Material. For the purpose of this document,
collateral material is defined as any information used in the imagery
exploitation process that is not considered under imagery. Any infor-
mation stored in a computer is excluded from this study. Presently at
NPIC there are an estimated 1,250,000 maps and charts, 75,000 reports,
20,000 books and magazines, 150,000 photographs and 75,000 miscellaneous
indexed files. The type of photographs considered under collateral
material are usually ground photos or reproductions from magazines or
books, and consequently, they are of lower resolution and quality than
reconnaissance imagery. The volume of the stored material may possibly
be decreased by photographic reduction techniques such as microfilm,
microfiche, etc. Consideration must be given to the handling of colored
maps and photography. Some of the techniques developed for handling
imagery could possibly also be applied to handling collateral material.
Closed circuit TV may also be considered as a means of transporting infor-
mation from one location to another.
3. Purpose. The planned program will encompass the identified
problem areas and suggest additional problem areas through the investi-
gation and analysis of current procedures, detailed recommendations for
possible alternative solutions, and the establishment of practical and
feasible current and future automation levels. Ultimately, the results
of these studies will be used to develop and install appropriate proce-
dures and equipment to minimize the problems in handling of information
and data.
3.1 Scope. The total program, as envisioned, will be divided
into the following three separate but interrelated phases. Proposals
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solicited hereunder are to be restricted to the tasks outlined in Phase
I (Paragraph 3.1.1) and Phase II (Paragraph 3.1.2). Phase III (Paragraph
3.1.3) is included as a matter of information and as an aid in develop-
ing the material required under Phases I and II.
3.1.1 Phase I Investigation and Analysis. The con-
tractor will thoroughly investigate, review, and analyze current
procedures for handling the various forms of material and data
within NPIC; determine the requirements for such material and
data in terms of quality, volume, flow, response time, search
strategy, etc.; generate alternative conceptual plans for systems
to satisfy these requirements; and evaluate the alternatives in
accordance with the criteria outlined in Paragraph 4.1.1.
3.1.1.1 The conceptual plans should include
recommended solutions to the material and data handling
requirements identified during the investigation, and as
a minimum must consider the following problem areas:
a. The advisability of using cut film or "chips" in
conjunction with, or in lieu of, roll film considering
methods for storing, retrieving, reproducing, and con-
trolling the imagery materials.
b. Methods for improving access to, storing, retriev-
ing, reproducing, controling, and updating imagery
derived from previous coverage, irrespective of sensor.
c. Means of improving access to, storing, retrieving,
reproducing, controlling, and updating textual data.
d. Methods for storing, retrieving, and displaying
maps, charts, plots, etc.
e. Methods for automatically transporting the various
forms of material or the information contained therein
from one location to another within the building.
3.1.2 Phase II, System and Equipment Definition.
Based on the conceptual plan resulting from the Study in Phase I,
alternate techniques for implementation of the conceptual design
will be developed and evaluated. The report on this phase will
include a thorough analysis and comparison of all alternatives
considered. The report will be both quantitative and qualitative
in measuring one proposed alternative against the other and in
demonstrating the amount of improvement each alternative could
achieve over the present system. A detailed system plan based on
the selected alternative should be prepared and should include sys-
tem and equipment parameters, implementation time, impact on the
operational components of the Center, personnel and personnel
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training requirements, and the estimated costs of the proposed
system for development, installation, and operation. It is
possible that because of the large differences in types of
materials to be handled that the system may consist of a number
of sub-systems. It is also possible that one system may be in-
corporated to provide an early solution to present problems while
a second system may be contemplated for long term future needs.
If more than one system is suggested the contractor must clearly
distinguish the role and function of each system or subsystem,
evaluate each separately and clearly, and demonstrate their
integration as appropriate.
3.1.3 Phase III, Equipment Development, Acquisition
and Installation. Utilizing the specifications generated under
Phase II, it is the intent of the Government to solicit proposals
fora modern materials and data handling system. Proposals will
include equipment modification, development, phase-in, installa-
tion, check-out, and training of personnel. It should be reiterated
that Phase III is discussed here for information and guidance only
and is not to be included in the proposal.
4. Requirements.
4.1 Phase I Objectives. Two major reports stemming from the
Investigation and Analysis Phase (Paragraph 3.1.1) are to be delivered.
The first report is to cover the contractor's analysis of NPIC processes
and the identification of requirements for information utilized by NPIC,
which will not be handled in the digital system. The second report is
to present the alternate conceptual designs generated by the contractor
to meet the identified requirements.
4.1.1 In developing the alternative conceptual de-
signs the following criteria will be utilized for evaluation pur-
poses. Current procedures should also be evaluated, utilizing
these criteria, so that judgment can be made as to the amount of
improvement the implementation of the proposed concepts are de-
signed to achieve.
(a) Form and Organization of Information. A measure of how
adequately the form, organization, and content of the information
agrees with that required by the users for optimum performance
of their functions.
(b) System Performance. Time from receipt of information into
the system until it is available to a user and length of the time
from query to response.
(c) Reliability. Consistency of expected performance and ability
of system to perform major functions in event of individual compo-
nent failure.
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(d) Ease of Phase In. An indication of the amount of dis-
ruption of Center activities during implementation of the
system.
(e) Expansibility. Difficulty (time and cost) of adding
to the system to meet increased demands.
(f) Flexibility. Ability of system to handle new or unexpected
demands.
(g) Compatibility. A measure of the ability of the system to
function harmoniously with the automated and non-automated systems
within and external to the Center.
(h) Facility Requirements. The need for unusual site preparation,
utilities, communication circuits, etc.
(i) Personnel Requirements. The number and skill types required
for system operation.
(j) Total System Cost. This includes all initial and operational
costs. Initial implementation costs should be separated from
the predicted annual operating costs.
4.2 Phase II Objectives. Three reports are to be delivered
under the System and Equipment Definition Phase (Paragraph 3.1..2). The
first report covering item (a) below, will include the comparison of
alternates mentioned in Paragraph 3.1.2 and will utilize the same criteria
(Paragraph )+.1.1) for comparison specified for the concepts in Phase I.
The second report covering item (b) below will be such that it is suit-
able for use on a basis of a request for a proposal directed toward Phase
III (Paragraph 3.1.3) without extensive rewrite or modification. The
third report will cover item (c) below.
(a) Development and evaluation of alternate methods for accom-
plishing the functions of the system defined by the conceptual
design resulting from Phase I. Alternate methods for accomplish-
ing the major subsystem tasks will be evaluated and reported upon,
as well as alternates for accomplishing the overall system functions.
(b) Establishment of a detailed system configuration, including
overall operation, description and detailed specifications of
system components, and component interfaces. Detailed specifi-
cations should be divided into logical subsets to permit use of
multiple sources of procurement for Phase III.
(c) Preparation of a detailed implementation plan (PERT) for
the system. Budgetary costs and schedules for procurement and
installation of equipment, facilities preparation, system test-
ing, and personnel training should be included.
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5. General
5.1 Computer Interface. Inasmuch as NPIC operates a central
computer system, it is mandatory that all listing, indexing, and control
functions to be performed under the proposed plan be compatible with the
existing computers.
5.2 Proposals. The proposals should be comprehensive, well
organized, clear, concise, and limited in content to that information
required to qualify the prospective bidder and demonstrate ability to
perform satisfactorily within the scope of this document. The format
of the proposal should be arranged to separate company and personnel
qualification sheets from the main body of the proposal.
5.2.1 Delivery. While it is the wish of the Government
to accomplish the aims of this program as expeditiously as possible,
sufficient time should be allotted for a thorough and complete
accomplishment of the aims set forth herein. Tentatively it is
envisioned that the following time spans will be allotted to the
various phases.
Phase I - Six months (Report covering NPIC analysis to be
delivered after 3 months. See Paragraph
4.1.)
Phase II - Six months to twelve months
5.2.1.1 Adequate time (approximately four weeks)
shall be allowed for Government review and checking follow-
ing the issuance of each report (both interim and final),
required under this program since in each case the content
of the reports will form the basis for subsequent work.
5.2.1.2 As a result of Government review, a
limited amount of revision and rewrite may be required.
Proposals submitted hereunder should include provisions
for this contingency.
5.2.2 Costing. Cost proposals should be presented
in such a manner that the cost of Phase I can be readily separated
from the cost of Phase II.
5.3 Program Interface. Although the work to be performed
under the terms of this document is confined to the development of a
non-digital material handling system, interfaces will exist between this
program and other studies underway within NPIC. It is anticipated that
liaison between the contractor selected for this program and the con-
tractors conducting related internal studies will be such that this
program will result in a compatible and integrated system.
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5.4 Administration. The Government will retain overall con-
trol of this program. Written approval from the contracting officer
must be obtained before any changes in objectives, costs, or priorities
are effected or before any subcontractor or consultant is employed.
5.5 Contractor Responsibility. 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. As a
part of his overall responsibility, the contractor will be responsible
for the work performed by all of his subcontractors and consultants.
The fact that the Government has granted approval of the use of a speci-
fic subcontractor or consultant (See Paragraph 5.4) in no way relieves
the contractor from this responsibility.
5.6 Technical Representatives. The contracting officer will
designate a technical representative to authorize specific development
efforts of the contractor. Such authorization shall be given in writing
in its original form or in confirmation of an oral authorization. The
contractor will accept no other authorization except that of the technical
representative or contracting officer.
5.7 Reports. Regular reports will be required throughout the
life of the contract. All reports will meet the basic requirements of
specification DB-1001, dated 31 August 1966, GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
CONTRACTUAL DOCUMENTATION, attached hereto.
5.7.1 Monthly Progress Reports covering each specified
phase or subphase of this program will be submitted.
5.7.2 Final Reports will be submitted as indicated and
will contain the information described under each Phase of this
program.
5.7.3 Detailed Specifications submitted under Phase
II will conform to documentation standards mutually agreed upon
by the Technical Representative and the Contractor.
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