ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO THE PRINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP FOR MODERNIZING THE ELECTRONIC TEXT EDITING AND COMPOSITION SYSTEM
Document Type:
Collection:
Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST):
CIA-RDP12-00036R000100160012-1
Release Decision:
RIFPUB
Original Classification:
K
Document Page Count:
14
Document Creation Date:
December 27, 2016
Document Release Date:
August 16, 2013
Sequence Number:
12
Case Number:
Publication Date:
July 1, 1989
Content Type:
REPORT
File:
Attachment | Size |
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Body:
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411
I P8
DRAFT
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL
ENGINEERING SUPPORT TO THE
PRINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP
FOR
MODERNIZING THE ELECTRONIC TEXT EDITING
AND COMPOSITION SYSTEM
JULY 1989
DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION
All information contained in this proposal is company confidential, is
proprietary and has commercial and/or financial value. It has not been
publicly disclosed and is not to be disclosed to any person other than an
officer or employee of the U.S. Federal Government or the organization to
which this proposal is addressed. Other disclosure of any information
contained in this proposal must be requested by written notice to The MITRE
Corporation.
The MITRE Corporation
Washington C3I Division
7525 Colshire Drive, McLean, Virginia 22102-3481
DRAFT
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SECTION 1
TECHNICAL PROPOSAL FOR MODERNIZING THE
PRINTING AND PHOTOGRAPHY GROUP ETECS OPERATION
1 INTRODUCTION
This technical proposal outlines the Electronic Text Editing and
Composition (ETECS) services that are currently provided by the Printing
and Photography Group (P&PG) to its customers. The hardware and software
systems in place within ETECS used to produce P&PG published products are
described.
Secondly, a view of the origin, charter, and role of the MITRE
Corporation as a Federally Funded Research. and Development, Center (FFRDC)
is outlined. To provide a more detailed view of MITRE as a resource to
assist PUG in their ETECS modernization planning, this proposal includes a
list of MITRE projects that are in place now or have been completed in ,
support of Agency components.
Thirdly, the proposal outlines a work plan which, if adopted by P&PG,
will modernize ETECS capabilities and will satisfy expressed needs of P&PG
customers. The work plan is based on preliminary discussions with and
information provided by P&PG Pre-press staff. These discussions focused on
ETECS configuration limitations, constraints, and known requirements for
system improvements. Additional requirements were identified via a survey
conducted by P&PG staff. The survey was completed in response to a P&PG
Management by Objectives (MBO) task, and requirements were documented in
accordance with Milestone 2 of the ETECS Electronic Communications
Architecture and Network MBO statement. Finally, work performed by MITRE
on related Agency projects contributed to the understanding of the P&PG
workflow.
1.1 BACKGROUND - ETECS
The ETECS system, as currently configured, provides composition, page
makeup, and typeset formatting of documents submitted by customers to P&PG.
These documents may be originated by intelligence analysts or other
customers using a variety of customer-owned input devices, methods and
media.
When the original text has been completed by the analyst and has been
approved for publication, it is submitted to ETECS for page makeup and
composition. This operation is commonly referred to as "front-ending" or
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as the "front end" to the printing operation.. Equipment used to support
the front-ending operation is the. ATEX system, a PDP-11/34 processor with
up to 16 display stations attached per processor: At present, there are
four separate ATEX systems, each configured to operate in connection with
specific input devices or information transmission media.
The following section describes the ETECS workflow and the specific
equipment configuration installed within the Center to compose and typeset
documents and publications.
1.1.1 ETECS - Headquarters (Room G356)
For Wang-originated documents prepared by intelligence analysts or
other P&PG customers, original text may be submitted to ETECS via Wang
formatted diskettes. These diskettes are forwarded to the ETECS Center by
the customer and are processed by a Wang system installed in.P&PG
facilities located in Room,GJ56. The Wang system in GJ56 has an electronic
interface for information transfer from the Wang' to the ATEX 2 system.
As an alternative to customer-originated text submitted to ETECS via
Wang formatted diskette, text may be created .on customer-owned Wang
systems, transmitted electronically to the Wang system installed in the
ETECS facility and then transferred to the ATEX 2 system for composition
and formatting for the typesetting equipment. As an alternative to the
Wang-to-Wang text exchange, text may be submitted electronically from
customer-originated Wang Alliance systems to the OIT VM host processor and
from the VM host to the ATEX .3 system.
Some customers originate text using microcomputers (other than Wang)
and popular word processing software such as Microsoft Word, Wordperfect,
Wordstar, or other customer-licensed systems. Like the,Wang, these systems
may generate text on floppy diskettes for submission to ETECS'. Text input
recorded on diskette by the microcomputer is converted at the ETECS center
using a Shaftstall media conversion system. The Shaftstall strips off all
formatting codes contained on the input medium, and produces a file
readable by the ATEX 1 system.
When the ETECS composition and typeset formatting input step has been
completed, the output step of the Pre-press operation (input to the
printing operation) is completed using Page Image Processing (PIP)
equipment. Several models are available; outputs can be produced in
various forms, e.g., resin coated (RC) high quality film, 70 millimeter
film, or plain paper.
1.1.2 ETECS - P&PG Main Plant
Within the P&PG main plant facility, ATEX equipment similar to that
located in GJ56 may be used to compose and format textual information.
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Should the document contain both text and graphics, XYVISION equipment is
used to compose this type of document.
At the main plant, text information may be input to the ATEX 0 system
via an Optical Character Reader (OCR). In addition, graphics information
may be input via a graphics scanner to XYVISION composition equipment. At
this location, both the ATEX and XYVISION composition and typeset
formatting equipment are interfaced to PIP equipment similar to that
available in GJ56 at Headquarters. A XITRON switching device is used to
direct output from the ATEX equipment to the appropriate page image
processor for the type of output required.
1.2 BACKGROUND - THE MITRE CORPORATION
This section provides information that describes the origin, charter,
and role of the MITRE Corporation as a resource serving government
agencies. In addition to this general information describing the MITRE
Corporation, selected projects completed by MITRE technical staff in
support of Agency sponsors are described.'
MITRE was created in 1958 as a not-for-profit corporation chartered in
the public interest. Since 1958, MITRE has served the public interest as a
planning, .engineering, and advisory resource to its sponsors. MITRE is
neither a part of industry nor a part of government; it operates as a link
between these two entities. As a not-for-profit corporation, MITRE
supports Defense and Intelligence communities and government agencies at
the federal, state and local levels.
MITRE plays a special role in supporting computer systems
acquisitions. Manufacture of hardware and software for Sale is prohibited
by charter; MITRE therefore is free from potential conflicts of interest
that otherwise might arise from privileged access to sensitive or
proprietary information.
1.3 MITRE SUPPORT TO AGENCY SPONSORS
MITRE is currently providing systems engineering and technical support
to the Agency on a variety of projects, and has a cadre of systems
engineers that are badged and are familiar with Agency computer-based
systems. MITRE technical staff are supporting Agency efforts including
strategic planning, workstation architectures, applications for
intelligence analysts, database design, network management, computer
systems relocation, and security standards. Selected Agency projects are
described below.
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? The Office of Current Production and Analytic Support (CPAS)
For CPAS, MITRE has recently completed the design and
implementation of a demonstration system for dissemination of
intelligence information in softcopy form. The system, referred to
as EDS, is designed to demonstrate the feasibility of producing and
disseminating intelligence information products to. consumers
The demonstration system employs a multimedia approach; information
can be displayed as combinations of text, graphics, cartographics,
images, voice and motion video.' EDS has been implemented using a
SUN Microsystems workstation and has been demonstrated to the
intelligence community to Assess EDS concepts and to solicit
comments and suggestions regarding the EDS demonstration
implementation.
? Directorate for Science and Technology (DS&T)
MITRE provides both strategic and near-term ADP planning support to
the Directorate of Science and Technology (DS&T). Strategic ADP
planning support is being provided to NPIC, the Office of Research
and Development (ORD) and to the front office of DS&T.
National Photographic and Interpretation Center (NPIC)
NPIC is upgrading the computing and communications facilities of
the NPIC Data System (NDS). MITRE is involved in the preparation
of the RFP for the upgrade.
In addition, MITRE is providing support for various aspects of
imagery exploitation, including the evaluation of work in the
research and development community, the specification of
requirements for a softcopy workstation evolution capability and
the study of the capabilities of various exploitation management
systems.
? The Office of Imagery Analysis (OIA)
OIA is currently expanding the capabilities of its network of
workstations to enhance processing facilities such as word
processing, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and image processing.
Plans are underway to improve access to community information
systems such as CAMS and NDS, and to other information systems at
Headquarters such as SAFE and VM. MITRE is the systems engineer
for defining the OIA architecture, and to assist with the system,
acquisition and installation process.
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? The Office of Global Issues (OGI)
For OGI, MITRE is providing engineering support toward the design
and development of a Narcotics Analysis Database. The database
will be used for tracking and analyzing linkages among traffickers,
organizations and governments. The database will provide data
storage and retrieval capabilities on individuals, groups and
organizations involved in drug trafficking and by automating the
analysis of linkages among individuals and organizations in a
manner that will support intelligence requirements.
MITRE will perform the requirements analysis, the preliminary
design work, and the system sizing to produce a Request for
Proposal. The MITRE products will include a conceptual database
model, a high level functional requirements description, and a
Statement of Work (SOW) to be used in the competitive procurement
of the system.
? Office of Leadership Analysis (LDA)
MITRE is providing support to LDA which involves design of an
interactive system (DOSSIER) for storing and retrieving
biographical textual intelligence information and indexes to
pictorial data. DOSSIER support includes concept of operations,
functional requirements, database design, and user interface.
? The Office of Information Technology (OIT)
MITRE is providing systems engineering and technical support to
OIT. The support involves planning and assisting the New Building
Program Office in the relocation of Agency computing facilities
from five centers to two new computing centers.
In addition, MITRE recently completed a project to review existing
and planned OIT network management capabilities and customer
service procedures. Major objectives of the study were to identify
any weaknesses and deficiencies in network capabilities and
procedures, and to make recommendations for improvements. To
complete these objectives, MITRE interviewed key staff within OIT
engineering, operations, and customer service organizations. In
addition, interviews were conducted with Office of Communications
(OC) staff and with supporting contractors.
? Office of Security (OS)
For OS, MITRE is developing an Information Security strategic five-
year plan. Tasks include a review of current information security
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activities and a review of security requirements. In addition, key
Agency staff were interviewed to define security issues and to
develop a set of strategic goals and objectives to serve as a basis
for the plan. The plan will describe security initiatives, and
programs, resource requirements, and a schedule for implementation.
1.2.2 MITRE Facilities
The MITRE Corporation has established sponsor-accredited Sensitive
Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) with offices and laboratory
space available at both McLean, Virginia and Bedford, Massachusetts. In
addition, the Corporation has offices located in an accredited SCIF in
Rosslyn, Virginia. Approved information-handling systems are currently
available at each of these locations for the preparation and secure storage
of project documentation.
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SECTION 2
2 ETECS PROBLEM STATEMENT
This section identifies constraints and limitations of the ETECS
equipment currently in operation within P&PG. On the basis of discussions
with P&PG staff, review of MBO milestone 2 - (Determine future requirements
by meeting with customers and determining their plans regarding electronic
document production), contacts with other P&PG customers, together with
familiarity with other Agency office requirements for printing and
publishing, PUG services and facilities are deficient in the following
4k-em
1. ETECS provides a one-way electroni6tterface for transfer of
information between customer-owned workstations and the ETECS facility.
This one-way information flow limits the extent to which documents can be
created, edited and proofed in soft-copy form. The schedule for
publication turnaround is severely constrained by this limitation. The
production cycle for initial and interim proofing is too long and needs to
be shortened.
2. Documents are created by customers using a variety of workstations
and word processing software products. The information is downloaded to
the ATEX equipment, composed and typeset in a format specific to the ATEX
equipment. The composed database is stored on the ATEX system, and should
the originator want a copy of the database, it is returned in ASCII format
on magnetic media. The database cannot be transformed easily from magnetic
tape to workstation for subsequent access by the originator. A capability
to return databases to customers in uncomposed format is needed.
a4A dbieheel
3. The current ATEX display station is a single purpose device, and
is attached to the ATEX PDP-11/34 system for text composition and page
layout operation only. The display station is a "dumb" video display
without many of the features common to other multi-purpose PC-based
workstations. Multi-purpose workstations would provide new capabilities
for P&PG staff and P&PG customers.
ways:
4. The ETECS facility has no desktop publishing capabilities. ETECS
offers no support for direct attachment to customer-provided desktop
publishing equipment.
5. ETECS has no automated facilities that can be accessed to link
text, graphics, illustration or photographic material electronically.
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SECTION 3
WORK PLAN
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7(,0
Section 1 described the MITRE Corporation, its origin, charter and
role as a planning, engineering, and advisory resource to the Defense and
Intelligence communities. Section 2 identified the major problems with
ETECS facilities and services. This section describes the MITRE work plan
to assist P&PG in planning the modernization of the Pre-press operation.
3.1 TASK 1 - ETECS REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS
To gain insight into the ETECS modernization effort, a clear
understanding of the existing ETECS system is needed. To develop this
understanding and to establish a baseline for the modernization effort,
MITRE will validate and prioritize current needs. In addition, MITRE will
work with P&PG to identify and examine new requirements and future P&PG
needs. This work will include reviewing publishing and printing
capabilities and resources installed in other Agency offices. This will
ensure that the P&PG modernization effort considers
? Existing Agency publishing requirements and configurations
? Interfaces with user-owned systems and user requirements
? Long range Agency goals and objectives
A functional requirements specification will take the results from MBO
Milestone 1 - (Document current communications capabilities), and Milestone
2 - (Determine future requirements by meeting with customers and
determining their plans regarding electronic document production), and will
enhance these capabilities and requirements as necessary to complete the
requirements analysis. This broad requirements review and analysis will be
conducted in an Agency-wide context, so that the technology assessment and
acquisition planning will be comprehensive and complete.
The functional requirements specification will be used to develop a
concept of operations plan. This plan would provide a structured framework
to serve as a guide for P&PG ETECS modernization, i.e., it would describe
how PUG staff and PUG customers would use the new ETECS system. This
concept of operations would include the flow of publications material from
originator to ETECS and from ETECS to the originator. Any impact to the
current workflow would be identified and documented. The concept of
operations would include only generic printing and publishing architecture;
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specific design alternatives will be driven by the technology assessment
phase of the project. The concept of operations will satisfy MBO Milestone
3 - ?(Assess current capabilities in light of future 'and projected
requirements).
3.1.1 Task 1 Deliverable
The Task 1 deliverables will be MITRE documents to include:
1. An ETECS functional requirements specification, and
? 2. A new ETECS Concept of Operations
3.1.2 Task 1 Level of Effort
The level of effort for Task 1 is estimated to be 3 staff-months.
3.1.3 Task 1 Period of Performance
The period of performance for Task 1 is from 15 July 1989 through
15 September 1989.
3.2 TASK 2 - ETECS TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
Based on completion of task 1, MITRE will perform a review and
assessment of technology and Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) products that
would satisfy the requirements and concept of operation as developed and
described in section 3.1 above.
The assessment will consider available printing and publishing
technologies, including workstation desktop publishing, and printing and
publishing operation in local area networking (LAN) environments. The
potential for installation of new P&PG workstation and LAN capabilities
with bridge connections to customer-installed LAN and desktop publishing
equipment will be investigated. In addition to technical considerations,
review and analysis of pertinent operational, economic and security
concerns will be addressed.
The results of this task will be a recommendation for alternative Pre-
press capabilities to augment or replace existing ETECS equipment, and can
be used by PUG to satisfy MBO Milestone -4 - (Identify alternative
configurations to meet requirements).
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3.2.1 Task 2 Deliverable
The task 2 deliverable will be a MITRE report that documents the
technology assessment in the context of the ETECS requirements
specification and the new ETECS concept of operations.
3.2.2 Task 2 - Level of Effort
The level of effort for task 2 is estimated to be 2 staff-months.
3.2.3 Task 2 - Period of Performance
The period of performance for task 2 will be from 1 September through
15 October 1989.
3.3 TASK 3 - ACQUISITION PLANNING AND SUPPORT
Based on the results of the technology assessment and recommendations,
two options are open to P&PG for modernizing ETECS pre-press facilities.
1. If the review of available printing and publishing technologies
results in a recommendation for replacement or upgrade of the ETECS system
configuration, MITRE would provide P&PG with acquisition support for a
competitive procurement, namely RFP preparation, including the preparation
of the SOW and equipment specifications. In addition, MITRE would support
selection of a development contractor to design, implement, and deliver the
ETECS upgrade or replacement system.
2. Should the results of the technology review lead to a recom-
mendation to acquire COTS hardware and software technology to serve as a
baseline prototype, MITRE would prepare an independent cost estimate for a
system to include COTS hardware and software representative of that needed
for ETECS modernization. In addition, MITRE would assist P&PG in the
procurement of the prototype equipment and serve as advisor to P&PG and to
the Office of Logistics (OL) to ensure satisfactory in-house support for
continued operation and enhancement of the prototype configuration.
Attachment 1 is a representative LAN-based ETECS COTS configuration that
could be acquired and installed in a prototype environment.
The results of task 3 (either option as outlined above) can be used by
P&PG to respond to MBO Milestone 5 - (Prepare proposals for reconfiguration
of Pre-press communications architecture with discussion of alternatives
and recommended approach), and in response to Milestone 6 - (Install and
implement reconfiguration).
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3.3.1 Task 3 Deliverable
Option 1 - Competitive Procurement. This deliverable will be a SOW
for the acquisition of hardware and software to modernize the ETECS system.
Option 2 - COTS Prototype. This deliverable will be a report that
identifies the COTS hardware and software (including LAN networking
devices), and describes the functions and capabilities of the prototype
system.
3.3.2 Task 3 Level of Effort
Option 1 - Competitive Procurement. The level of effort for this
option is estimated to be 4 staff-months.
Option 2 - COTS Prototype. The level of effort for this option is
estimated to be 4 staff-months.
3.3.3 Task 3 Period of Performance
Option 1 - Competitive Procurement. The period of performance for
this option is from 15 October through 15 February 1989.
Option 2 - COTS Prototype. The period of performance for this option
is from 15 October through 15 February 1989.
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SECTION 5
5 MITRE TEAM ASSIGNMENTS
The project leader for this project will be Mr. Richard Smith.
Ms. Melissa Benson and Mr. Mark Myers will support the tasks as appro-
priate. Personnel assigned to the MITRE Printing and Publications
Departments located in McLean, VA, and Bedford, MA, may be asked to assist
the MITRE project team in support of this effort. Attachment 2 includes
copies of resumes for the principals to be assigned to the project.
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