DEAR DIRECTOR OF LOGISTICS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP85-00988R000600180010-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 18, 1998
• Sequence Number: 10
• Publication Date: May 23, 1975
• Content Type: LETTER

Olivetti Corp'dration 161 America
Approved For $,please 1999/09/25: CIA-RDP85 63 88R000600180010-7
1 0-1
Federal Government Operations FOIAb3b
1146 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
Telephone: [phone]
Olivetti
Director of Logistics
Central Intelligence Agency
Aims Center Building, Room 1207
North Fort Myer Drive
Atlington, Virginia 20505
date May 23, 1975
F OTAb-3b
I am writing to express my concern over the present
procurement practices of Federal agencies with
regard to electric typewriter purchases. While
the general procedure under General Services
Administration multiple award contracts is for
competitive considerations to dominate with regard
to price and quality performance, this has not
been the case in the procurement of electric
typewriters.
It is most regrettable that the use of letters
of justification has increased to such a degree
that such letters are accepted in a majority
of all procurements for the highest price electric
typewriter on GSA contract. Little attention
is given to the higher costs to the Federal govern-
ment for such purchases (which amount to millions
of dollars), while it is quite evident that lower
cost high quality typewriters are available that
will do a first-rate job. I urge you to review
this situation to determine t eFi extend to which
excessive use o e letter a bus i ica n
has to
I believe you will find that an increasing number
o all electric typewriter justifications state
tY~at_the availability of type style and pitc IF'
'the
necessary., to meet needs. The fact bf
t e matter is t at most locations equire the
same type style and carriage width to accomplish
75 - 80% of their typing needs. These tasks are
for the most part daily repetitive, routine functions.
Approved For Release 1999/09/25: CIA-RDP85-00988R000600180010-7
 AllprovedTor asergtV9/6Jfi2523CIA-Wf3P85488R00060tMl3bb1b-pf 2
Olivetti
W. Hosking,
Director, FederalGoverhment Operations
Approved For Release 1999/09/25 CIA-RDP85-00988R000600180010-7
The justification letter therefore would be suit-
able to only 20 to 25% of the overall secretarial
skill level needs. The emphasis on so-called
unique or time-saving features is misplaced in
a great majority of the cases.
Because of this development, an increase of well
over 40% is occurring in the cost to the govern-
ment of the procurement of electric typewriters.
This has led not only to a restriction of competi-
tion but also to a far greater price being paid
by the government to accomplish quality information
processing than should be the case.
As a domestic manufacturer whose interests are
clearly placed within the United States, Olivetti
Corporation of America offers a first-rate series
of electric typewriters which can meet the Federal
Government's requirements at considerable savings
to the government and to the taxpayer. We view
with grave concern the procurement metho'Tcs Se ng
,employe w is circumvent this ossibility. Our
quality pro uct is not of a superficial nature;
it has durability, reliability and efficiency,
as well as attractive form. We believe it is
only fair to enable us to compete on even terms
in e overall government typewriter market in
the accepted spirit of GSA's competitive policies.
For these reasons, we sincerely request that
you review the procurement practices for electric
typewriters being employed in your agency to
ensure that quality typewriters are purchased
at the lowest possible cost. The use of letters
of justification should not be employed for equipment
purchase "over kill". We would be most grateful
for such a review to be carried out and implemented
beginning in the last quarter of this fiscal
year.
My thanks for your attention to this matter.
I would welcome any inquiries for additional
information or comparative quality or costs.