CONTRACTING FOR CORONA

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R001400050016-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: December 14, 2006
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: October 3, 1964
• Content Type: MFR

SUBJECT: Contracting for CORONA
3 October 1964
1. On 23 July, DCI, in memorandum to D/NRO, pointed out that
insufficient funds had been provided Program B to continue procure-
ment of CORONA payloads in FY 65. He stated that this action appeared
to prejudge a decision that the CORONA program would be transferred
in toto to Program A.
2. On 14 August, D/NRO replied to DCI, "At the present time,
funds have been released to Program B to cover current needs of all
contracts in force. We are in the process of asking Director, Program
B, to negotiate the follow-on contract for procurement of CORONA
payloads. "
(NOTE: The "contracts presently in force" D/NRO refers to
are CIA contracts with Lockheed which terminate in September
and October 1964. )
3. On 26 August at the NRO Ex Com meeting, I pointed out that
if CIA was going to continue to contract for CORONA payload, funds
must be made available now. There was general discussion of the
contributions of CIA to CORONA but no decisions were taken. On
28 August, I informed Mr. Vance in letter referring to the 26 August
meeting, "There was no discussion of nor did Mr. McCone agree to
any other changes in, contracting procedures and particularly as to
any change in the responsibility for payload contracting. " In letter of
same date, Mr. Vance pointed out his belief that all contracting responsi-
bility for CORONA payloads should be under General Greer and implied
that we (Ex Com, NRO) had agreed that this was feasible and should be
done, or at least tried.
NRO Review
SECRET
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4. On 1 September at NRO Ex Com meeting attended by DCI and
DDCI, there was lengthy and involved discussion of CORONA contracting.
Mr. Vance said he was prepared to continue the CORONA contracting
procedure as presently established if this was Mr. McCone's firm desire.
Mr. Mc Cone stated that it was, and it was therefore agreed that the
contracting responsibilities remain as currently assigned.
5. On 10 September, Mr. McCone briefed the Ex Com, NRO, on
his plans to augment CIA and take over 25X1
responsibility for all CIA contracting and other functions. There was I
no discussion of or dissent to CIA contracting for CORONA.
(NOTE: Upon reading the Minutes of this meeting, Mr. McCone
stated that he wished to review the memorandum I was to
furnish the Ex Com reference
6. On 29 September, the Ex Com meeting, Mr. Vance reopened the
entire business of CORONA contracting and the meeting was quite
vituperative on the part of McMillan. After lengthy inconclusive discus-
sion in which no commitments were made, McMillan stated he had sent
both Vance and me a memorandum of exactly what the contracts he was
talking about encompassed.
7. On 1 October, the memorandum from McMillan makes it clear
that the CORONA contracting he wants to transfer to the Air Force
includes the Systems Integration contract at Lockheed (formerly known
as Systems Engineering
8. On 2 October, Secretary Vance called me about these contracts
and I reiterated the positions previously taken by me and Mr. McCone,
to wit: The contracts previously and presently held by the CIA should
remain with the CIA and we would augment our staff
to administer them as previously agreed.
Marshall S. Carter
Lieutenant General, USA
Deputy Director
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