PROCUREMENT OF FOREIGN PHOTOGRAPHS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04901A000100020007-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 26, 2001
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: June 9, 1949
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2001/08/13 ZTP&elm901A000100020007-
CONFIDENTIAL
Procurement of Foreign Photographs
A. Description of the Project.
1. This project concerns the immediate purchase of current foreign photographs
and an investigation of the possibilities of establishing direct contact with
commercial photographic firms fora continuing receipt of such photographs.
2. The present procurement arrangements are expensive and time consuming as
they require a specific collection directive initiated by a request from the Graphics
Register to the Liaison Branch. This directive emanates from the Liaison Branch to
the Office of Operations for field action These arrangements
have been limited to specific requests and ..__d to establish a
continuing flow of this material without demand upon the time of professional pro-
curement officers.
B. Requirements.
1. It is suggested that the project could be most successfully accomplished by
25X1A6a assi nin the Chief of the Photograph Division, Graphics Register, OCD,
00 for a 2-week period to conduct the necessary investigation in
25X1A6a cooperation with the CIA representatives
2. It is further suggested that $2,000 of the current Graphics Register's funds
be set aside for the actual purchase of high quality photography that is examined duri]
such survey. While investigating the possibilities of setting up direct commercial
contacts for a continuous flow of ;hotographs, the Graphics Register's person assigned
would have the opportunity to examine material, not otherwise available, in the files
these commercial agencies. The proposal thereby accomplishes two purposes at once:
Projects Review Committee
Executive
Acting Assistant Director, OCD
a. Determination of thefeasibility for direct procurement on a
continuing basis;
b. i'rocurem ent of material, now held in files of commercial agencies,
which would not be included under the provisions of (a.)
25X1A6a 3. An alternate solution would be to have this same assignment carried out by
an 00/C representative already . This would require a transfer
25X1A6a of the X2,000 u wou no ovide the first hand knowledge of
our needs. In addition, the Contacts Branch, Office of Operations, has informally
indicated that there would be no objection on their part if an official of the Graphic,
Register assumed responsibility for the project.
1. Y'rhile the funds available to the Graphics Register, OCD, are for the broad
Apake or 44LJO61 /08/13 : CIA o, AQUA 0020007-9
9 June 1919
 Approved For Release 2001/08/13 : CIAGF1A000100020007-9 =- '"r
Oi
C j DENTIAL
purpose of providing graphic ia, 'elligence to CIA and the IAC agencies, they are not
specifically set up for the purpose of this proposal. A separate request has been
submitted recently to the Projects Review Committee for expenditure of funds in the
1950 Budget to cover the needs outlined above. Preparation of the Budget for fisca
:;Tear 1951 will also include this activity as part of the Graphics Register's progra
2. It is strongly recommended that approval be granted immediately to provide
$2,000 for the purpose of determ. ' ni which commercial agencies could best serve
Sul)
a led photographic prints and, at the
CIA.'s interests in regularly
same time, for purchasing required photography for the NIS program and other intell
gence activities, from funds allotted to Graphics Register for the fiscal year 1949
It is further recommended that this amount be made available through either
vouchered or unvouchered funds, in the event that purchases from certain commercial
agencies must be made through covert means.
/S/
Concur in proposal outlined in la&t sentence of para. B, 3.
Assistant Director for Operations /s/ George G. Carey
No security objections - Recommend Sec. Control Staff advise on manner of imple-
mentation security-wise if Project is approved
Chief, Inspection & Security
/s/ Sheffield Edwards
%I t I!AL.
Approved For Release 2001/08/13 : CIA-RDP78-04901A000100020007-9