INVITATION TO BIDDERS CONFERENCE AND SOLICITATION FOR PROPOSALS; MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEMS PROGRAM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78B04770A002900030023-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 10
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 26, 2005
• Sequence Number: 23
• Publication Date: October 14, 1965
• Content Type: MF

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-SECRET.,
NPIC/P&DS-367-65
r 1965
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Procurement Division, OL
ATTENTION
THROUGH
SUBJECT
. Chief, Support Staff, NPIC
Invitation to Bidders Conference and Solicitation
for Proposals; , PMaterial Handling
Systems Program
1. It is requested that the copies of the enclosed R&D
document entitled ''Material Handling Systems Program be
sent to the organizations listed on the enclosed sheet. Those
organizations which are interested in the program may then choose
to send repr at'.ves to the "Bidders Conference" in Washington,
D. C. on r 1965, at 0930. Following the on ence they
may submit their proposals any time before aiJti~~ in
response to the objectives set forth in the document and as further
enlarged upon a.t'the conference.
2. The nature of the work as set forth in the objectives is
classified SECRET, although some requirements may later be lowered
in classification. The organizations listed are prospective Prime
Contractors and must therefore be cleared through and approved by
the Office of Security. Subsequent sub-contractors will also
require appropriate security clearances.
3. The Plans and Development Staff plans to commit
towards this program during FY-66.
Declass Review by NGA.
0 one ,
Assistant for Plans and Development
Enclosures:
(1) List of Prospective Bidders
(2) Development Objectives
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SECRET
1/4 vim 6er,"
- 1965
INFORMATION/MATERIAL HANDLING SYSTEM (P ES)
1. INTRODUCTION. This document conveys the background, concept and require-
ment of a government sponsored research and development program in the field
of information/material handling as it relates to imagery exploitation
processes.
1.1 Background. Exploitation requirements for information and materials
handling will greatly expand because of the increasing and improving acquisition
materials. This, in turn, will require studies and development for handling
and reporting the analysis of photo imagery. Investigation and development
thus far has provided only limited "on-line" computer capability for the
derivation of selected stored information. This program is intended to cover
three areas of development necessary to solve the problems arising from the increasing
volume of imagery materials which require exploitation, these being: information
handling, materials handling, and a resultant data link systems development.
This program is concerned with these aspects only and does not address an
overall system analysis concerning complete organizational operation.
Information and material handling is concerned with methods for the
efficient flow of essential knowledge within a system and as used here, refers
to the supporting functions which aid and abet the conversion of information.
Research in this area is concerned with more effectively, storing, retrieving,
and displaying facts and is not to be construed as a system analysis.
It is anticipated that initial (FY-66) equipment development will be
restricted to immediate short term requirements one of which is anticipated
to be an interim closed circuit TV system while the follow-on effort (FY 67 & 68)
nrr%n
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will concentrate on the expansion of the development plan into a fully inte-
grated IMHS.
1.1.1 Information Handling. Study and development is required to
allow the photo interpreter to communicate directly through a large-
capacity computer to determine the existance of collateral information
and to up-date intelligence. One current effort being pursued in support
of this requirement is an analysis of the current NPIC substantive data
base and of current and projected requirements against that data base.
This analysis will result in the formulation of an integrated information
processing system concept and of the design specifications which the
concept embodies. The design specifications will set forth (a) a data
file structure, independent of hardware considerations, which will
provide the desired degree of flexibility as determined by the analysis,
and (b) a storage and retrieval algorithm which will provide the
desired level of responsiveness determined by the analysis. Another
effort currently being carried out is the development of a highly
versatile data block reader and a time-pip reader which are keyed to
the automation of both the substantive reporting and the mensuration
processes.
1.1.2 Materials Handling. The predicted increased work loads
will require significant advances in the automation of materials handling
problems that exist in the areas of both collateral and operational
acquisition materials. Methods are needed for reduction in storage
requirements and for automation of the storage, retrieval, accountability,
and transport processes. One of the most significant problems is that
of manual roll-film handling. An anticipated development is an
automated, roll-film, handling system for storage, retrieval, accounting
and transporting roll film material between the storage vault and
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specific operational zones. Materials such as maps, charts, reports,
and previous photography are manually handled in much the same fashion.
Studies for analysis of current procedures, predicting workloads,
establishing practical levels of automation, and recommending detailed
alternative solutions are required. As a result of these studies
appropriate hardware should be developed. It is anticipated that control
will be handled by a central computer in keeping with established
procedures.
1.1.3 Data Link System. A data link system must be developed in
anticipation of the advent of real-time, image-transmitting systems for
reconnaissance acquisition. Systems of this type will require completely
new exploitation techniques and equipment, differing in basic principles
from those currently in use. Studies will be needed to define this type
of exploitation. Reproduction, storage and retrieval, viewers, and
mensuration equipment must be developed in consonance with the needs of
the exploitation components; an entire exploitation system for NPIC
use must be defined and developed. Allowances should be anticipated for
the increased complexities imposed by security requirements, the
possible inclusion of color, and the transmission of infrared and radar
imagery on a real-time, around-the-clock, all-weather basis. The likelihood
of fundamental advances in image transmission technology should also be
anticipated.
1.2 Concept. The contracted organization selected to accomplish this
research must be capable of independent management of the program. The
contracted organization must also: (1) provide or utilize leading technical
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authorities in the field; (2) be responsive to government requirements;
(3) be aggressive and effective in achieving the objectives; (4) furnish
forthright technical guidance to the government. Representatives of the
Government, involved. in this program, will maintain an open mind in
evaluating any new concepts which, if successfully pursued, would add to the
store of knowledge and advance the state-of-the-art. Organizations engaged
in these technical developments are encourages to present new ideas which
they believe will advance the program. It is the intention of the Government
to permit freedom for imagination and creativity.
1.3 Scope. The program will be planned on the basis of a three year
term. This paper defines only broad objectives; proposals in response to
them should contain an evaluation of the significance as related to cost and
time. Careful utilization of reputable industrial management will be
required, as well as obtaining maximum efficiency in all technological
aspects.
2. ADMINISTRATION. The Government will retain ultimate control of the pro-
gram. Objectives, costs, priorities, sub-contractors and consultants involved
in the program come under the purview of the Government and approval must be
obtained before these factors are employed.
2.1 Projects. Each project under this program will be divided into
major accomplishment/cost phases to facilitate government review and control.
2.2 Contract Information.
2.2.1 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.
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.,2.2.2 The contractor shall be responsible for the work per-
formance of his sub-contractors.
2.2.3 The Contracting Officer of the Government will designate a
Technical Representative to authorize specific development
efforts of the contractor. Such authorization shall be
given in the form of written work orders either in its
original form or to confirm an oral authorization.
2.2.4 Certain written progress reports will be required on a
regular basis by the Technical Representative to include
status of projects, money expended, and-money required to
complete the projects. In addition, the contractor will
be expected to provide the Technical Representative with
written reports concerning research and development efforts
when deemed advisable by the Government as well as verbal.
elaborations as may be desired by the Technical Repre
sentative or Contracting Officer.
3. TECHNICAL RD UIRIlMENTS. The preliminary investigative areas of this
program are defined as: (1) a study effort to define information handling
problems of non-computor and computor oriented data bases as applies to the
NPIC, including Real-time, batch processing, and off-line application i.e.,
1 cid
automated report writing, computor contralRinformation
storage, retrieval and handling equipment; (2) a study effort to define
rqquirements for efficient handling of photographic and collateral materials
in natural and/or cut forms; and (3) a study effort 4 exploitation techniques
for imagery and collateral information transmission on a Real-time basis
(data link).
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These investigations should consist of, but not be limited to: an
u6 0
analysis of the in-house existing and planned methods of information material ~
handling and transmission; the combining of existing and planned techniques
and equipment with present or advanced state-of-the-art; and result in the
presentation of an integrated development plan for a highly automated IMHS.
More, specifically, the technical requirements for carrying out this program
within the context of the broad objectives stated above can be broken down
into three phases: analysis, concept and design.
3.1 Analysis. Determine current and known future input and output
parameters from the.aspect of:
a. Physical Properties
b. Information Content
c. Data Rates
d. Volume
e.. Data Sources
f. Correlation between different inputs.and outputs
g. Real-Time Requirements
Primary consideration in this analysis should include but not be
limited to equipment-both operational and planned; materials-collateral,
roll film, cut film and chips; methods - analysis, query, reporting, etc;
interface-equipment and methods; requirements-current and practical
future; and timeliness.
3.2 Concept. Determine complete concept parameters required to satisfy
the results of the analysis (3.1), considering:
a. Interpretation/Analysis
b. Viewing/Display
c. Storage/Retrieval
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d. Computation
e. Data Conversion l r
f. Reporting
g. Management/Control
In addition, an operational flow concept necessary to convert the inputs
to the specific outputs, shall be determined considering: inputs to each
operation; modes of operation; interrelationship between operations; and
output of each operation.
3.3 Design. From results of the analysis phase (3.1) and determination
of the concepts (3.2) a design will be formulated which will select the
best techniques and equipments to accomplish the operational procedures, cony
sidering such criteria as:
a. Cost effectiveness of operation
b. Accuracy of operation
c. Speed of operation
d. Compatibility with component operations
e. Simplicity
f. Reliability
g. Flexibility
h. Maintenance
i. Manning requirements and training
j. Growth Potential
k. Availability (equipment)
1. Modifications (equipment)
in. Configuration -
-3.4 Other requirements are:
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3.4.1 Provide consultation to the Government in the information
and materials handling field as well as related data link systems.
3.4.2 Contribute to the establishment of the future research
goals.
3.4.3 Awareness of all commerial and other research organizations
working in this field. Possession of current and historical 1owlddge
in order to preclude duplication of effort and to maintain awareness of
the state-of-the-art.
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