ELECTRONIC DATA DISPLAY TERMINALS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP95-00972R000100170016-6
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 23, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 27, 2012
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: March 16, 1977
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/27: CIA-RDP95-00972R000100170016-6
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MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Data Processing
FROM
; James H. McDonald
Director of Logistics
G Ill
SUBJECT : Electronic Data Display Terminals
Danny:
1. During the Agency Contract Review Board meeting
on 9 March, one case heard involved the ODP and NPIC require-
ment for 40 and 114 units, respectively, of the Delta Data
electronic data display terminal. This request for 154 units
was given to the OL Procurement Division's Automatic Data
Processing and Engineering Branch for procurement of these
units from Delta Data Systems, Inc., on a sole-source basis,
thereby precluding one of the most important facets of a pro-
curement action--competition.
2. During the Board review price and cost informa-
tion was surfaced which indicates that ,the price offered by
Delta Data may be high by as much as $1,900 per unit. While
we understand that the Delta Data produced system is considered
to be the Agency standard, we feel it is important for the
Agency to establish a competitive arena for procurement of
requirements for electronic data display terminals while con-
currently achieving systems incorporating state-of-the art
advancements. We believe this can be greatly facilitated by
an ODP twofold program establishing overall Agency require-
ments and closely monitoring state-of-the-art advancement
from all potential suppliers. User requirements would neces-
sarily be based on complete functional performance specifications
as developed by ODP. Such functional "specs" would then enable
an adequate competition by the Procurement Division to fulfill
future Agency requirements of this type terminal system.
OL 7 1181
7, Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/27 : CIA-RDP95-00972R000100170016-6
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/27: CIA-RDP95-00972R000100170016-6
25X1
SUBJECT: Electronic Data Display Terminals
3. I understand that it was only after the above
considerations that the Board recommended approval of the
current 154-unit requirement on a sole-source basis. Their
recommendation is quoted for your information and action as
you consider appropriate:
"The Board recommends Director of Logistics approval
for the Contracting Officer to proceed to negotiate with
Delta Data Systems, Inc., for only the currently funded
requirement of 154 units at the lowest possible price.
The Board strongly recommends that the Office of Data
Processing immediately initiate preparation and completion
of functional performance specifications, in coordination
with all user elements of the Agency, to enable future pro-
curements of visual display terminals to be conducted on
a fully competitive basis. The Board considers the Office
of Data Processing as the Agency focal point for electronic
data display terminals and their integration into Agency
systems. As such, ODP should monitor state-of-the-art
systems from all potential suppliers to facilitate compet-
itive procurement of requirements. Hence, during the
interim period, any further user requirements should be
met only on a critical-need basis."
4. In the meantime to facilitate this recommendation,
our Contract Officers' utmost cooperation is offered to jointly
work with your technical representatives as necessary in estab-
lishing a competitive environment for Agency requirements. Your
assistance in surveying Agency requirements and preparing
necessary functional specifications is solicited.
CONFIDETIAL
James H. McDonald
rDeclassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/27: CIA-RDP95-00972R000100170016-6