STATUS MEETING ON THE DISPOSITION OF THE SAFE PROJECT'S EXCESS BURROUGHS COMPUTER SYSTEMS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00992R000100100040-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: December 16, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 2, 2005
• Sequence Number: 40
• Publication Date: May 16, 1983
• Content Type: MFR

Approved Fore lease QQ qq4 &T CIA-RDP90-00992 O0010010004q,-6:
16 May 1983
SUBJECT: Status Meeting on the Disposition of the SAFE
Project's Excess Burroughs Computer Systems.
1. Mr. Philip A. Schlimgen, the Burroughs Corporation
Intelligence Community Accounts Manager, visited CIA on 13 May
1983 at the Government's invitation to discuss the disposition of
the SAFE Project's excess Burroughs computer systems. Government
participants were: the Contracting Officer for
the SAFE Project; Chief, Policy and Plans Group,
Management Staff and myself.
2. The purpose of the meeting was to:
A. Provide notification to Burroughs Corporation of the
July 1983 closing of the TRW SAFE Development Facility (DF) in
Torrance, California and the need to relocate, prior to the
closing, the three Burroughs B6900 computer systems located at the
DF that have not been reassigned to other Government
installations.
B. Discuss the status of Burroughs Corporation's and the
Government's mutual efforts to place the excess Burroughs systems
within the Intelligence Community (IC) or within government
organizations acceptable to Burroughs Corporation.
C. Develop a plan for closing out the Agency's direct
placement efforts within the IC for the four remaining B6900
systems that are not yet reassigned. Mr. Schlimgen and myself had
both telephonically expressed our concern that further IC
placement possibilities for the four remaining systems are not
good.
NO CONTRACT
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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 Approved For$elease 8006mMECTCIA-RDP90-0099 p00100100040-6
SUBJECT: Status Meeting on the Disposition of the SAFE
Projects Excess Burroughs Computer Systems.
BACKGROUND
3. TRW, the SAFE Development Contractor, awarded a contract to
Burroughs Corporation in 1980 to provide the SAFE hardware. In
mid-1982, the DCI and D/DIA, upon the recommendation of an inter-
agency audit team, redirected the consolidated SAFE development
effort to a less risky approach that would provide an earlier
capability for both CIA and DIA, and would build upon existing
software available through CIA's operational Interim SAFE
capability. The new approach required IBM-compatible hardware,
causing the Burroughs computer hardware to become excess to SAFE
Project requirements. TRW was directed to terminate the Burroughs
Corporation contract to provide the SAFE hardware. The final
settlement for the termination of the Burroughs/TRW SAFE contract
was completed in the spring of 1983. Although the Mutual Release
and Settlement Agreement between TRW and Burroughs does not
explicitly state any Government obligation to assist in the
reassignment of the hardware within the IC, communications during
the final settlement process between the Government, TRW and
Burroughs Corporation committed the Government to a best effort
level of assistance to achieve that goal. The attached letter to
Mr. Stuart Johnson of Burroughs Corporation from TRW
(83.35656.06-036) spells out the level of the Government's
commitment.
4. I opened the meeting with a review of the inventory of
Burroughs systems and the status of their placement. There were
ten B6900 minicomputers and one Dual B7800 computer in the SAFE
inventory at contract settlement. There now are placement
commitments for six of the ten B6900 systems and for the Dual
B7800 system. Three of the four B6900 systems currently not
placed are located at the TRW DF in Torrance, California, and the
other system is located at Burroughs Corporation's Paoli, Pa.
facility.
NO CONTRACT
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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 Approved For, elease O5ri(' iric1CIA-RDP90-00992.1 D00100100040-6
SUBJECT: Status Meeting on the Disposition of the SAFE
Projects Excess Burroughs Computer Systems.
5. Working notes were provided (attached) to review several of
the IC contacts Mr. Schlimgen's predecessor, Mr. Donald Cole, and
myself, had pursued. Mr. Schlimgen observed that he knew of no
active leads in the IC to pursue at the present time and, in fact,
due to a staff shortage, he foresees difficulty in committing
additional resources to the placement of the excess systems. Mr.
_Jand I both observed that we also knew of no active leads
in the IC. further expressed the view that the
possibility o p acing a remaining four systems in the IC in a
reasonable;: time frame is now remote and there is a pressing need
to move three of the systems from the DF prior to the July closing
date. He further stated that unless Burroughs Corporation is
willing to pick up the cost of off-site storage of the systems,
the Government plans to release the systems to the General
Services Administration (GSA) for placement. (GSA has the
Government-wide responsibility for the placement of excess ADP
equipment.) In the spirit of the Government-Burroughs Corporation
IC placement agreement, we stated we would ask GSA to provide
preference to IC members interested in acquiring the systems. Mr.
lso observed that once the systems are released to GSA,
the Agency would have no further control of the equipment. I
stated that the GSA approach would provide the widest announcement
within Government, including the IC, of the availability of the
systems. Mr.. Schlimgen was also advised that the decision to
release the systems to GSA must be made quickly to provide GSA the
necessary lead time to relocate the systems from the DF.
NO CONTRACT
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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 Approved Fo eleaseN8700WBUT6 T CIA-RDP90-0099OR000100100040-6
SUBJECT: Status Meeting on the Disposition of the SAFE
Projects Excess Burroughs Computer Systems.
arrangement would have to be considered in the context of a
competitive procurement and only if Burroughs were to be selected
could an exchange be considered. More importantly,
continued, we are aware of no such procurement effort, ongoing or
planned, within ODP or the Agency in the near future.
Furthermore, there would not be sufficient time due to the
imminent DF closing to identify requirements and run a competitive
procurement. Mr. Schlimgen was somewhat insistent that sole
source procurements in exchange/sale arrangements were possible
under these circumstances. I Ireemphasized again that we
are not, at this time, aware a any requirements for hardware in
the Agency for which Burroughs Corporation is a candidate
supplier. stated that the exchange/sale proposal
would have been more productively put forward in mid-1982, when we
began to announce the availability of the systems.
7. Mr. Schlimgen said that he could also pursue exchange/sale
possibilities with other IC members. That is, CIA could provide
the B6900 equipment to another Agency and they would in turn enter
into an exchange/sale agreement with Burroughs for other
equipment. I I stated that we had no problem with his
pursuing this possibility but that the equipment must be moved
from the DF before the July closing and that Burroughs would have
to pay for storage of the equipment until exchange/sale of the
equipment was completed. I also stated that the
Government would not be willing to defer disposition of the
systems beyond 1 October 1983, even if Burroughs Corporation were
to pay storage for the systems. The systems are a Government
resource, he stated, and it is a waste of the Government's money
not to put the systems into productive use as soon as possible.
8. Mr. Schlimgen asked for the Government's position on moving
the B6900 currently at the Burroughs Corporation's Paoli plant to
their McLean, Virginia office for installation as a demonstration
system. tated that we have no problem with Burroughs
Corporation ins a ing the system in the McLean facility. The
system, however, would be included on the list we forward to GSA
NO CONTRACT
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Approved For Release 2003/68116 : CIA-RDP90-00992R000100100040-6
 Approved FoRelease
SUBJECT: Status Meeting on the Disposition of the SAFE
Projects Excess Burroughs Computer Systems.
and is subject to placement at any time. Under no conditions, he
further stated, would the system be held under Burroughs
Corporation's control beyond 1 October 1983.
9. Mr. Schlimgen observed that he got the feeling that the
Agency did not wish to deal with Burroughs Corp
sensed a full cooperative spirit was not present.
responded to the observation by stating that he ha recently been
reassigned to the SAFE Project as the Contracting Officer and was
present during the settlement activities and that whatever had
occurred before was over and finished with the signing of the
final contract settlement. Both Burroughs Corporation and TRW,
with the Government's concurrence, signed the agreement and it is
finished and in the past. As far as Burroughs Corporation doing
business with the Agency in the future, there is nothing to
prohibit Burroughs Corporation from bidding on new contracts and
they, of course, would be fairly and impartially treated. Mr.
Schlimgen did not directly respond, but did not appear fully
satisfied.
10. Mr. Schlimgen stated that he would like to open up the
possibility of other Burroughs Corporation Government marketing
activities looking for suitable requirements among non-IC agencies
that could be fulfilled with the four available systems. He
stated that he would be meeting with representatives of the other
activities and also the overall Federal 'Marketing Manager the
following week. It was agreed that he would get back to the
Government by mid-week.
11. In summary, Burroughs Corporation is now aware of the
urgency of moving the excess systems from the DF due to closing of
the facility. Mr. Schlimgen has four options to pursue for
disposition of the systems in the DF: 1) development of an
exchange/sale agreement with another IC member requiring transfer
of the systems between the Agency and the IC member (the Agency
NO CONTRACT
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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 Approved For. elease
0 AC.TCIA-RDP90-0099 000100100040-6
SUBJECT: Status Meeting on the Disposition of the SAFE
Projects Excess Burroughs Computer Systems.
exchange/sale possibility was, in effect, rejected by the
Government attendees); 2) arranging for another marketing
component in Burroughs to place the system in a non-IC Agency; 3)
placing the systems in storage at Burroughs expense while
continuing to look for placement options (the deadline for
placement would be 1 October 1983); or 4) do nothing and the
Government will release the systems to GSA. These options also
apply to the remaining unassigned B6900 system located at
Burroughs Corporation's Paoli, Pa. facility.
12. The meeting adjourned with Mr. Schlimgen obviously not
being entirely satisfied with the above set of options. We await
his call during the week of 16 May on other placement
possibilities.
Policy and Plans Group,
Management Staff, ODP
Attachments: a/s
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FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Approved For Release 200/6816 : CIA-RDP90-00992R000100100040-6
 I ill, uI I li I L IJ L tllvl
Approved Forgelease 2005/08/16 : CIA-RDP90-00992$000100100040-6
NO CONTRACT
SUBJECT: Status Meeting on the Disposition of the SAFE
Projects Excess Burroughs Computer Systems.
Da t e
Chief Policy and Plans Group,
Management Staff, ODP
Contracting Off(cL-r,
Consolidated SA Project Office,
Special Projects Staff,ODP
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Approved For Release 2005/08/16 : CIA-RDP90-00992R000100100040-6
 Approved Fo&?Release t$OQWVr8M&TCIA-RDP90-009W000100100040-6
SUBJECT: Status Meeting on the Disposition of the SAFE
Projects Excess Burroughs Computer Systems.
ODP/MS
DISTRIBUTION:
O ig - SAFE Excess Burroughs Equipment (S
ubject File)
r 0147T
1
-
D/ODP E,t~h1 1
1
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C/SPS d~/A 7T
1
-
C/MS Lv/A7
1
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C/P&PG L)/A1
1
-
CO/CSPO u1)11417
2
ODP Registry t c/4r
1
- MS Chrono
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FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
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 Approved Fo elease 2005/08/16 : CIA-RDP90-00992 000100100040-6
1.5 AugWr;t 0'2 -- -1"e].ephonicall.y notifi.ecl the Irtte1.1i.gerI c:e
Community ?3taff ( IC':3) of the av- i 1.:-ahi.:li.ty of he I3urrou hSS
`:i y si t e rn ~. .
27 August ? Provided inventory ].i.st I
the
Chairman of The Information Hand l.ing Committee, ICS,
regiuesti.nc:i under the Director of Data Processing (D/ODF)
signature, that 3e disseminate throughout the I.C.
STAT A captain
followed-up but prospect fell. through.
Administration, telephonically communicated the
availability to his counterpart at NSA,
requested his assistance in finding places
in the IC.
A follow-up letter under- D/O[)F"s signature was
forwarded to NSA with equipment inventory list.
30 August - The available of the systems were circulated to
internal CIA components - no requirements were surfaced that
could be met by the Burroughs Systems.
07777
20 September - John Kebayias of NSSC (Non-IC) expressed
interest in acquiring any Burraugh equipment in general..
(note - as of spring of f83 he is still interested but only
in perpheri.als). He manages 22 worldwide computer centers
that employs Burroughs equipment.
STATO c t o b e r
expressed
could not
get funding necessary for software and site.
a B6900 for overseas locations but
of Hqs INSCOM, ASA, Arlington Hall,
RSOI at DIA expressed interest in acquiring a
B6900 but unable to justify funding for site and software.
(Col Hamilton of DIA generated interest by passing word of
system availablit;y throughout DIA).
NSA relayed name of individual at Air Force
Electronic Systems Command at Kelly AFB who had interest in
86900. However, the requirement fell though later.
Apprggvpid FPF tea 2Qp 0> f yCIA-RDP90-0 090 01 0040-6
 Approved Forpelease 2005/08/16 : CIA-RDP90-00992 000100100040-6
STA3TDecernber -I I the Navy Continental Security
ti..
r up of the Naval. Security Group express interest in
3690(:)s. Don co1e followed-up but requirements fell through.
March 83 -- Defense Mapping Agency was provided equipment
listing and were requested to pass word of availability to
other DMA installations.
May 99 - Defense Logistic Agency (non-IC) ?- a Bil.l. Fresher
called and expressed interest. He was referred to Don Cole.
Status of the Burroughs Systems
There were 11 systems in the SAFE inventory _... 7 systems
have been reassigned and 4 systems have yet to be
reassigned:
i.. The B7800 (Dual.) at the DF is being acquired by
2. The CIA Hqs B6900 is being acquired by NSA.
3. A B6900 is being retained by DIA.
4. Two B6900s at the. DF is being acquired by NSSC
5. Two B6900s at Paoli, Pa. is being acquired by
Defense Mapping Agency.
6. One B6900 at Paoli, Pa. is unassigned.
7. Three B6900s located at the DF are unassigned.
Apprcv l Ff trrRi to 29Q5/08Y 6. Y CIA-RDP90-OIO9%RQO0~,Q01O0040-6
 ? Approved Fo elease 2005/08/16 : CIA-RDP90-009 000100100040-6
Seftwase i Intoraefjon One Space Park -
#ryu.ma Division Redondo fioach, CA 90276
T1iW Defer" Systems Group 213.536.3525
133.35656.06-036
3 February 1983
Mr. Stuart Johnson
BURROUGHS CORPORATION
7925 Jones Branch Drive
McLean, Virginia 22102
SUBJECT: Placement of the Burroughs Computer Systems
REFERENCE: Final Settlement of the Burroughs/TRW SAFE
Subcontract J20770YMOS and all Associated
Purchase Orders.
Dear Mr. Johnson:
The Sponsor has inforihed TRW that subsequent to the successful .
completion of the referenced settlement, the below listed Burroughs
Computer Systems, which were procured for the SAFE Project, will
be placed within the Intelligence Community at the following locations:
National Security Agency (NSA)
One (1) Dual 7800 System
One (1) 86930 System
Naval. Engineering Logistics Office (NELO)
Two (2) 86930 Systems
National-Security GrdQp (NSC)
Three (3) 86930 Systems
Regarding the remaining Computer Systems, the Sponsor, has agreed
to make 'a beat' efforts . attempt to place them within the Intelligence
Community as appropriate
It must be noted that the placement of the Computer Systems is not
under the full control of the Sponsor. Should any of the Systems
indicated above not be successfully placed within the intelligence
Community components, the Sponsor has agreed to make a best
efforts attempt to place them in other agencies of the Intelligence
Community as appropriate.
Approved For Release 2005/08/16 : CIA-RDP90-00992R000100100040-6
 Approved FoLRelease 2005/08/16 : CIA-RDP90-009 ,8000100100040-6
83.35656.06-036
3 February 1983
Page 2
Subsequent to the placement of the Computer Systems, TRW
will prepare and Issue a press release regarding the redirection
of the SAFE Project and Burroughs Computer Systems.
Sinceflaj yours,
. D. Williams
Vice President and General. Manager
Software and Information Systems Division
TRW Defense Systems Group
ROW/ER /Jf
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