TERMS OF REFERENCE

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Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 
CIA-RDP96-00789R002600010007-6
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RIPPUB
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S
Document Page Count: 
8
Document Creation Date: 
November 4, 2016
Document Release Date: 
July 31, 2000
Sequence Number: 
7
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Publication Date: 
June 2, 1994
Content Type: 
MEMO
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PDF icon CIA-RDP96-00789R002600010007-6.pdf395.43 KB
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. Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600010007-6 TERMS OF REFERENCE (U) I. (U) BACKGROUND DIA/PAG-TA 2 Jun 94 (S/NF/SG/LIMDIS) IAW a Congressionally Directed Action of January 1994 (enclosure 1), the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) has prepared a draft multi-year research and development program plan, subject to rigorous scientific and technical oversight, to demonstrate the scientific validity of the STAR GATE program. The focus of the plan is to ascertain whether results of military and intelligence value can be obtained in a cost-effective manner using anomalous mental phenomena (AMP). II. (U) APPROACH (S/NF/SG/-LIMDIS) In order to,fulfill Congressional Direction, the DIA proposes to convene a Scientific Evaluation Panel (SEP) composed of representatives from each of the Service Scientific Advisory Boards. The purpose of the SEP is to review and validate the methodology outlined in the plan in order to address the cost-effectiveness and performance criteria for the STAR GATE program. Specifically, the SEP is to review and validate the STAR GATE program's research and development objectives and, to propose recommendations as to which objectives should be pursued and the program scope required to achieve those objectives. If the SEP determines that objectives in the plan are viable and executable, the General Defense Intelligence Program (GDIP) Manager will complete this initiative with others for limited available resources remaining in the program. III. (U) PURPOSE (U) The purpose of this Terms of Reference (TOR) paper is to familiarize the SEP with proposed program objectives, scientific oversight methodology, program management, and anticipated contract deliverables. The proposed plan focuses on: - Identifying the underlying mechanisms of AMP. - Establishing the limits of operational usefulness of AMP. REPRODUCTION REQUIRES APPROVAL OF ORIGINATOR OR HIGHER DOD AUTHORITY FURTHER DISSEMINATION ONLY AS DIRECTED BY PAG CLASSIFIED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES OR HIGHER DOD AUTHORITY DECLASSIFY ON OADR Approved Foi~CI J 4W SECRET sw STAR GATE Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789R.002600010007-6 DIA/PAG-TA 2 Jun 94 - Determining the degree to which foreign activities in AMP represent a threat to national security. - Developing countermeasures to neutralize this - Using research findings to improve operational Developing data fusion criteria to integrate AMP results with other intelligence sources. IV. (U) RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT GOALS a. (C/NF) Congressional direction for the STAR GATE- program stresses the need for an even balance between foreign assessments; operational activities and research, with the overall architecture of the program such that the three areas are interrelated and supportive in support of on-going DOD and DIA intelligence collection, analysis, and production functions. b. (U) Specifically, it is planned to use the first six months of the contract to hold meetings with AMP experts around the country to ascertain which research goals have the highest probability of success and to determine the best methods for conducting the required research. On the basis of these meetings; the schedule, budget, and performance criteria for the balance of the program will be finalized. c. (U) Subject to adequate funding, recommendations of the above working groups, and general DIA guidance, the proposed research and development program will address the following generic issues: 1. (U) BASIC RESEARCH a. (U) The objective of basic research is to understand the fundamental, underlying mechanisms of remote viewing (RV) or anomalous cognition (AC). b. (U) The basic research goals are: - To determine the fundamental nature of an AC source, i.e., a quantitative, intrinsic description of AC targets. SECRET SECRET Approved ForoReleaseAff/?2 iL"W'-'R'D-VgbW002600010007-6 Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600010007-6 DIA/PAG-TA 2 Jun 94 - To determine how AC information traverses space and time from the source to the detector (i.e., the remote viewer). - To determine how AC information is sensed by the viewer. 2. (U) APPLIED RESEARCH a. (U) The objective of applied research is to bridge the gap between pure research data and the applications of that data, specifically, to improve the quality of AC data. b. (U) The applied research goals are: - To identify individuals who possess either a high-quality natural AC ability or a trainable one. - To create a set of training manuals and/or procedures that will be efficient and effective in teaching and evaluating RV skills. - To establish a realistic certification program for currently assigned personnel. - To develop a system to categorize potential AC targets with regard to their inherent AC "visibility" since it has been shown that all potential targets are not equally amenable to AC. - To design a series of instructions for conducting AC sessions that are optimized for each particular application. - To provide meaningful absolute measures of the information that is transferred by AC, i.e., interpretative analysis of the AC data. - (S/NF/LIMDIS) To develop methods of data fusion which will most effectively incorporate AC data into the overall intelligence collection, analysis, and production process. SECRET NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS Approved For Release 2001 /04N R(T1 RDP96-00789R002600010007-6 LIMDIS Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600010007-6 DIA/PAG-TA 2 Jun 94 3. (U) FOREIGN ASSESSMENT a. (S/NF) The assessment of parapsychological activities presents some rather unique challenges. For example, if the task were to evaluate Russian developments in laser weapons, there is no shortage of Western high-tech companies or national laboratories to which one could turn to for detailed technical analytical support. In parapsychology, however, there is no equivalent group within the USG with such expertise. It is SG1B essential, therefore, to have external R&D support to provide specialized technical assistance in evaluating foreign R&D activities including the replication of foreign experimental claims. V. (U) PROGRAM OVERSIGHT a. (U) PROGRAM OVERSIGHT METHODOLOGY 1. (U) PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/OVERSIGHT (S/NF) DIA, as executive agent, proposes to implement a management structure that fosters a proactive, responsive, and creative environment for this activity. Both the external research and in-house activities will be centered in the Technology Assessment and Support Activity under the supervision of the Chief, Office for Ground Forces (DIA/PAG). 2. (U) SCIENTIFIC OVERSIGHT (S/NF) Scientific oversight will be provided by SECRET NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS Approved For Release 2001/044,CdDP96-00789R002600010007-6 LIMDIS Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600010007-6 SECRET DIA/PAG-TA 2 Jun 94 3. (U) CONTRACTOR OVERSIGHT (U) A contractor sponsored Scientific Oversight Committee (SOC), consisting of scientists from the following disciplines: physics, astronomy, statistics, neuroscience, and psychology, will be tasked with the following: a. (U) Reviewing and approving all experimental protocols prior to the collection of experimental data. b. (U) Reviewing all experimental final reports as if they were submissions to technical scientific journals. c. (U) Proposing directions for further research. d. (U) Conducting un-announced visits to view experiments in progress. (U) A contractor sponsored Human Use Review Board will also be formed and charged with the responsibility of assuring compliance with all U.S. and DoD regulations with regard to the use of humans in experimentation and assuring their safety. Members should represent the health, legal, and spiritual professions IAW government guidelines. 4. (U) DEVELOPMENT OF EVALUATION CRITERIA a. (U) SCIENTIFIC VALIDITY (S/NF) A thorough review of DoD's activities in AMP was conducted in 1987 to evaluate the use of AMP for intelligence gathering purposes. The overall findings of this evaluation were that "...the Project Review Group has determined to its satisfaction that the'work of the Enhanced Human Performance Group is scientifically sound ...and is providing valuable insight into the nature of an anomaly which have a significant impact on the DoD." This research and development plan will both draw from and add to this extensive data base to further demonstrate the scientific validity and practicality of AMP. b. (U) PERFORMANCE (S/NF) The ability of the STAR GATE program to produce results that have an intelligence value can only be measured by customer feedback. STAR GATE has developed feedback mechanisms and procedures for customers that should result in a method of quantifying this subjective feedback data so that operational value added and cost-effectiveness can be measured. SECRET NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS Approved For Release 2001/04 1- DP96-00789R002600010007-6 Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789-R002600010007-6 VI. (U) POTENTIAL RESEARCH RETURNS DIA/PAG-TA 2 Jun 94 (S/NF/SG/LIMDIS) The research pursuits identified in the overall research and peer review plan have the potential for achieving highly significant results using AMP to address problems of national security by pushing the phenomena to their natural limits. This overall result can be achieved by accomplishing the aforementioned program plan.goals. VII. (U) DELIVERABLES (U) The definition of deliverables is difficult to determine at this point -- most of it will be in the form of technical reports, foreign assessment support briefs/trip - reports, conference reports, and applied methodology reports. VIII. (U) R&D PLAN DURATION (U) The proposed ongoing R&D effort will be reviewed every. two years by the SEP to determine whether the STAR GATE program can show results that are cost effective and satisfy reasonable performance criteria. SECRET NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS STAR GATE Approved For Release 2001 /04/fl2 ir1 -RDP96-00789R002600010007-6 Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600010007-6 SECRET DIA/PAG-TA 2 Jun 94 TERMINOLOGY AND DEFINITIONS (U) (U) PHENOMENA TERMINOLOGY (U) This phenomenological area has had a variety of descriptive terms over the years, such as paranormal, parapsychological, or as psychical research. Foreign researchers use other terms: "psychoenergetics" in Russia and the Former Soviet Union (FSU); "extraordinary human function" in the People's Republic of China (PRC). In general, this field is concerned with a largely unexplored area of human consciousness/subconsciousness interactions associated with unusual or underdeveloped human capabilities. (U) Recently, researchers have shown a preference for terms that are neutral and that emphasizes the anomalous or enigmatic nature of this phenomena. The term anomalous mental phenomena (AMP), is generally preferred. (U) This area has two aspects; information access and energetics influence. Information access refers to a mental ability to describe remote areas or to access concealed data that are otherwise' shielded from all known sensory channels. A recent term for this ability is anomalous cognition (AC). This term places emphasis on potential understanding that might be available from advances in sensory/brain functioning research or other related research. Older terms for this aspect have included extra-sensory perception (ESP), remote viewing (RV), and in some cases, precognition. (U) The energetics aspect refers to the ability to influence, via mental volition, physical or biological systems by an as yet unknown physical mechanism. An example of physical system influence would include affecting the output of sensors or electronic devices; biological systems influence would include affecting physiological parameters of an individual. A recent descriptive term for this ability is anomalous perturbation (AP). Older terms for this phenomenon included psychokinesis (PK) or telekinesis. (U) GENERAL DEFINITIONS (S/NF) For this program, basic research is defined to mean any investigation or experiment for determining fundamental processes or for uncovering underlying parameters that are CLASSIFIED BY MULTIPLE SOURCES DECLASSIFY ON OADR Approved For Release 2001/04ifag lA-RDP96-00789R0026&Q9iLWe63 NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS Approved For Release 2001/04/02 : CIA-RDP96-00789R002600010007-6 DIA/PAG-TA 2 Jun 94 involved in this phenomenon. Basic research is primarily oriented toward understanding the physical, physiological , and psychological mechanisms of anomalous mental phenomena (AMP). (S/NF) Applied research refers to any investigation directed toward developing particular applications or for improving data quality and reliability. For anomalous cognition (AC) phenomenon, research is primarily directed toward improving the output quality of AC data. This would include ways to develop/improve utility of AC data for variety of potential application. For example, examination of spatial and temporal relationships of AC data could assist in developing a reliable search capability useful for locating missing people or equipment. Approved For Release 2001/gi;rCIA-RDP96-00789R002600010007-6 NOT RELEASABLE TO FOREIGN NATIONALS