GEMS PROGRAM; DISPOSITION OF

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04747A000700010007-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 28
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: March 29, 2002
• Sequence Number: 7
• Publication Date: December 11, 1967
• Content Type: MF

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NIMA/DOD
STATINTL
NUMBER
DUE DATE
DATE COMPLET]
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NPIC/TDS/D- -67
19 October 1967
SUBJECT Contract Performance Evaluation - Graded" Estimated
Measuring Samples (GEMS)
1. OBJECT: To evaluate the performance achieved under the current
contract covering "GEMS Development" in order to detexmiine the advisability
of pursuing the project further.
2. SCOPE: This memorandum covers the correlation of the "Scope of
Work" set forth in the contract with the performance realized and, the
dependent extrapolation of anticipated contractor performance under any
subsequent pursuit of the project.
3. SUMMARY: Based on (1) a detailed study of the contract and con-
comitant documents and correspondence, (2) an interview with the presently
assigned NPIC Technical Development Staff Contract Monitor, and (3) an
interview with personnel in the NPIC, Technical Intelligence Division
involved in the "Psychophysical GEMS Test", it is concluded that:
a. With the imminnt receipt of certain reports, the
present contract will have been satisfied.
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b. The sought after simulation of photography at
spatial frequencies up to 200 cycles per milimeter was 11
not realized.
c. Performance of the contractor was characterized
by delays and a certain lack of aggression.
Execution of the present contract by the contractor indicates that he
will be able to develop a useable set of GEMS (simulated photography at
spatial frequencies approaching 200 cycles per millimeter) within about
one year.
It is recommended that the GEMS project be continued for the express
purpose of producing a useable set of GEMS pf Pseud6 ' GEMS which include
simulated photography at spatial frequencies up to at least 180 cycles
per millimeter.
4. HISTORY: In early 1964, the began active 25X1A
pursuit of the initial "GEMS Development"
This resulted 2~*
in some simulations of aerial photography, wherein the photographic parameters
of exposure, haze, granularity, and modulation transfer function were varied
experimentally.
Work under the above mentioned contract, which terminated in mid 1965,
was directly related to a previous effort known variously as the "Photographic
Image Simulation Program". A commentary on the work performed under this
previous effort and the initial "GEMS Development" contract was given in a
"Report on the Image Quality Evaluation Program, July 196, prepared by our
I Included in this commentary
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were cetain recommendations relative to continuation of "GEMS Develop-
ment".
Expanding on the recommendations contained in the "Report on the
Image Quality Evaluation Program, July 1965",
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submitted a proposal for further work on "GEMS Development". This proposal
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On 9 February 1966, a contract was offered to the
under which they would provide all of the manpower, facilities, services,
and materials required to accomplish the GEMS Development Program described
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acknowledged and accepted by the contractor on 21 February 1966. The
estimated cost of performance (exclusive of the fixed fee) was
The fixed fee for performance was
The period of performance
expiration date was stipulated as 30 June 1967. Verbal authorization to
proceed with this contract was apparently given on or about 10 January 1966.
Basically, the proposed program consisted of four tasks:
a. GEMS Specification Study
b. Alternate GEMS Fabrication Technique
c. GEMS Viewer Study
d. GEMS Matrix Fabrication
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A fifth task was delineated, which involved preparing specifications,
estimated fabrication costs, and a fabrication cycle for the GEMS Viewer.
Included in the GEMS Specification Study was a provision for a psychophysical
testing program to be conducted by a subcontractor,
utilizing NPIC personnel.
Conclusions reached early in the "GEMS Development" program indicated
that a GEMS matrix should consist of about 1000 to 1500 distinct GEMS. Con-
tinuing study by the contractor resulted in the development of a theoretical
technique which would eliminate the need for such a large GEMS matrix,
reducing the required number to about 10. This technique, although
appearing to be technically sound, had not been investigated experimentally
On 8 November 1966, an amendment to the master contract was offered
was acknowledged and accepted by the contractor on 17 November
necessary to set up a "Psuedo-GEMS Breadboard" and undertake experiments
therewith in accordance with their proposal MW-M-1536, dated 1 September
1966. This offer, designated Amendment No. 1, Task Order No. 8, Contract
1966. The estimated cost of performance (exclusive of the fixed fee) was
0
under which they would perform all work
The fixed fee for performance was increased to
All other term" 'conditions, and requirements of Task Order No. 8
remained unchanged.
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Promising results from the Pseudo-GEMS investigation plus certain
..a
technical problems encountered in the= =work prompted the contractor to
submit a "Propos, 1 Change-in-Scope for the GEMS Study Effort" dated
6 January 1967.
Accordingly, on 16 March 1967, an amendment to the master contract
under which they would re-
direct their efforts in the performance of the Task Order in accordance
I Change-in-
with their proposal dated 6 January 1967, entitled "/ropos 17""
cope for GEMS Study Effort". This offer, designated Amendment No. 2,
Task Order No. 8,1 was acknowledged and accepted by the
contractor on 28 March 1967. The period of performance expiration date
was extended from 30 June 1967 to 30 September 1967. All other terms,
conditions, and requirements of Task Order No. 8, as amended, remained
unchanged.
5. CONTRACT SCOPE OF WORK: Under Task Order No. 8, Contract No.
accepted by the contractor on 21 February 1966,
agreed to provide all of the manpower, facilities, services
and materials required to accomplish the program described in Section
3.0 of their proposal with the following exception:
"Such psychophysical experiments and tests as are
required shall be performed at the customer's facility
with the assistance of the customer's personnel.
0
0
shall provide for the supervision of these experi-
ments and tests by mdans of a,pubcontract with
II
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The specific objectives and deliverable material included in the
program, described in Section 3.0 of the contractor's proposal were:
Item #1. Preparation of a two dimensional GEMS matrix wherein
a,
modulation transfer function is varied against exposure.
Item #2. Performance of a psychological test with the-objective
of jaling the matrix elements in psychologically equal
intervals among modulation transfer function and exposuree
Item #2a Application of the staled matrix to the assessment of
mission photography to determine the extent to which the
tent to which individuals agree with one another.
Item #2b Repeat application of the s/aled matrix as described under
Z a.
item #14, utilizing additional GEMS in place of mission
photography the objective being to establish accuracy
Item #2c Prepare a final report on results of psychological tests
(scheduled for delivery in October 1966).
Item #3. Conduct a study toward refining existing simulation techniques,
by determining the precision with which d,,of the image
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quality parameters i