(USAID INFO SYSTEMS)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP72-00450R000100070054-6
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 11, 1998
• Sequence Number: 54
• Content Type: MISC

Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP72-004OQO0001000
CODIB-AR-9
Appendix C
Section 5
J. Agency for International Development
In the course of FY-67, the AID Information Systems Task Force
conceptualized an agency-wide system for improved management of informa-
tion. Responsibility for design, installation, and operation of elements
has been assigned, with some new units and facilities having been
established for the purpose. The information system gives priority to
information about AID's own activities but makes provision for informa-
tion about recipient countries and information about methods and approaches
for dealing with problems of development. Based primarily on AID"s
programming system within a PPBS framework now being defined, the
overall system will comprise subsystems for technical and administrative
functions and for geographic areas.
At present, primary attention is being given to retrieval of AID
project information, capitalizing on experience gained in a pilot test
of new procedures during FY-67. An automated data base is being
established for certain kinds of project data, and a related document
retrieval system is now in the planning stage. The automated data base
initially will include some data on technical assistance and food
assistance projects; provisions for extending automated coverage of these
projects are now being made. The base will then be extended to cover
capital projects and other forms of assistance, as warranted.
AID has for some time been drawing on other U. S. Government
agencies and on contractors for information about recipient countries,
and for information about techniques to deal with development problems.
AID's relationships with these organizations need to be reviewed to
ensure that they serve AID's requirements, as these are changing. The
principal changes are those arising from the introduction of systematic
management of information. Questions of compatibility with the external
systems, and of alternative sources, need to be answered.
Arms Control and Disarmament Agency
The Arms Control and Disar
mament Agency.established a Reference
Informaiori Center on 1 July 1967 under the Office of the Executive
Director as a control point for the development, implementation,
execution and coordination of information service. The Center is
responsible for most of the functions previously performed by the
Reference Research Staff and includes the following branches:
1. The Library. A technical library service which acquires
and maintains a reference collection of classified and unclassified
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP72-0045OR000100070054-6
 Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP72-0045OR000100070054-6
books, pamphlets, magazine reports, and studies for the preparation
of reference aids to support research, including bibliographies,
information abstracts and extracts, technical accession lists,
indexes, and digests. Information is provided from selected
material in answer to requests and inquiries. Direct support is
provided to both in-house and external research activities
through the Information Research Specialists assigned to the
Library. They also monitor information service contracts and
reimbursement agreements.
2. Information Retrieval Branch. The Reference Information
Center has recently established a research information retrieval
system, with some assistance, to provide for greater utilization
of the research. studies prepared for the Agency as well as the
many technical reports received on a daily basis. The system
is capable of direct access to the full range of subjects relating
to Arms Control and Disarmament. The Information Retrieval Branch
is responsible for the development, implementation, and administra-
ti
f
on o
the system for technical inquiry response. The system is
maintained by a manual card file which is adaptable to machine
processing techniques. The system also contains a punch card file
duplicating the manual file for this purpose.
3. Communications, Acquisition, and Dissemination Branch.
The Communications Branch receives and files all airgrams and
telegraphic traffic to provide reference and information support
to all organizational components of the Agency. The Branch also
provides such services as the acquisition and dissemination of
intelligence reports received from other Agencies.
4. Records Administration Branch. Provides the Agency with
a Records Administration Program which includes scheduling,
disposition, form control, and other related functions.
Approved For Release 2002/03/28 : CIA-RDP72-0045OR000100070054-6