PROPOSAL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE FOR THE COMMUNITY ON-LINE INTELLIGENCE SYSTEM (COINS)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01139A000100120003-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 11
• Document Creation Date: January 4, 2017
• Document Release Date: July 14, 2005
• Sequence Number: 3
• Publication Date: February 1, 1968
• Content Type: MF

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TRANSMITTAL SLIP DATE
TO:
CODIB Support Staff
ROOM NO.
2E 49
BUILDING
Hdqrs.
REMARKS:
FROM:
D/DCI/NIPE
I?OOM NO.
BUILDING
EXTENSION
FICIRM REPLACES FORM 36-8
B N505 f A 1 WHICH MAY BE USED
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I February 1968
FOR: Chairman. United States Intelligence Board
Proposal for the Establishment of a Manage-
ment Structure for the Community Chi-Line
Intelligence System (COINS)
REFERENCES: A. White House Letter, dtd 15 June 1965,
Miernorandum for the President,
Subject: U. S. Intelligence Community
Capabilities for the Handling of Intelli-
gence Information
B. White House Letter, dtd 15 July 1965,
Memorandum for the Director, Central
Intelligence Agency, Subject: U. S.
Intelligence Community Capabilities for
the Handling of Intelligence Information
0
1. in accordance with the White House letters, referenced
above, a secure network connecting several computer information
systems is being established for operational test and evaluation. CIA,
NSA, DIA, State and NPIC are currently involved. The title being used
for this experimental project to Community On-Line Intelligence
System (COINS). Using COINS, each participating agency will be able
to interrogate selected files of the other participating agencies as wen
as its ovm files. This concept calls for each agency to maintain files
in its on computer system and for the computer systems of each
agency to communicate with those of other agencies via secure data
links. The proposed requirement for one agency to serve as the central
file repository for the entire intelligence community would be removed.
Instead, each agency would concentrate in establishing and maintaining
those files for which it is responsible or best equipped. Improver ent
of interchange of information between intelligence agencies is the
principal objective of this system.
2. This memorandum, with attachments, - recommends a USIB
policy governing the management during the development and evaluation
phase of COINS. It identifies and delineates the functions of the
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System Executive Agency and the COINS Managers in each partici-
pating organization. It further defines actions expected of participat-
ng organizations to realize optimum test and evacuation of this
erimentalL informational handling system.
a. Approve the management system for COINS as set
forth in the attachment hereto and direct its implementation;
b. Designate the National Security Agency (NSA)
the Executive Agency.
is] John A. Bross
JOHN A. DROSS
#3/ DCI/ NIPS
NIPE:RT:dm
Distribution:
Original and I - Addressee
I - ER via DDCI
I - USIB Secretariat
I - CODIB Support Stall
I - NIPE chrono
I - NIPE subject
I - NIPE/TR chrono
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Management System for the Community On-Line
Intelligence System (COINS)
SECTION I ... PURPOSI
1. The purpose of this Directive is to establish within USIB.
and under the direction of the DCI, a management structure for the
Community On-Line Intelligence System (COINS). It identifies and
delineates the functions of the System Executive Agency and the COINS
Managers in each participating organization. It further defines actions
expected of participating organizations to realize optimum test and
evaluation of this experimental informational handling system.
2. It is understood that this Directive I. concerned with the
management: system for:
a. Impiernenting and operating COINS Experiment
. Testing and evaluating the COINS Experiment in
accordance with an agreed upon evaluation plan and in
cooperation with CODIB.
c. Planning, programming and budgeting for any
follow-on COINS-type systems, the implementation and
execution of which will 'be dependent upon the evaluation of
COINS Experiment (sometimes referred to as COINS I).
SECTION II - DEFINITIONS
3. Fallowing are definitions of terms used in this Directive:
a. Executive Agency: A participating organization
providing the Executive Agent, and all supporting facilities
and services to the Executive Agent and his staff.
b. Executive Agent: A designated individual in the
Executive Agency assigned the responsibility and delegated
the authority by the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI) for
COINS management.
c. System Niaement: A concept for the over-all
x anageemeat of COINS based on the use of an Executive Agent
responsible for planning, directing and controlling the develop-
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renat, implementation and operation of COIM; and, for
assuring that planning is accomplished by the organizations
sponsible to the management authority for the execution of
specifically assigned and agreed-upon tasks.
d. COINS Mana : A designated individual in a
jarti:cipating organization assigned the responsibility for
nanageenent of COINS within that organization.
e. Project Lenders: Military and civilian personnel
assigned a specific task who report directly to the Executive
Agent.
f. COINS Management Office: The organization corn.
prised of technical and business management and administrative
personnel assigned full time to the Executive Agent. The
Office may be augmented ~.vith additional personnel from partici-
pating organizations.
g. Executive A nt Charter: This Directive establishes
an executive Agent and his Management Office, defines his
rriisston, authority, and major functions and describes his
relationships with other organizations and their support responsi-
biltties. In addition, it sets forth basic policy with respect to
the mane ernent of COINS.
h. Participating t7rgauization: A governmental activity
responsible to the Executive Agent for the execution of specific
aspects of the system and identified by the chartering authority,
if within his authority, or identified in the approved, negotiated
COINS Master Plan, or Technical Memorandum of Agreement,
if the activity is not responsible to the chartering authority.
L COINS Master Plan: A compilation of planning
documents prepared by the Executive Agent, with assistance
from the COINS Managers of the participating organizations
and contractors, which places in context the budgets, plans,
schedules and scope of all work and resources to be provided
by each participating organization.
J. Technical Memorandum of A.r rese : A formalized
document delineating specific procedural and operational agree-
ments between COINS participants, and binding on all signatories.
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SECTION E - EXECUTIVE AGENCY
4. The, DCI, in consultation with USIB. will designate the
ecutive Agency.
. The Executive Agency will serve as host and will provide
d support services required by the Executive Agent in the
cution of his responsibilities. These include but are not limited to;
a. Office space and services for the Executive Agent
and his staff, including secure conference facilities.
b. Reproduction facilities.
c. Consultant services of co-located activities such
scurity, COY-SEC. R&D. co: a wdcations, data processing,
d. A fiscal account for the COINS Management Ofti
for collecting, holding and disbursing operating funds provided
by the participating organizations. Account will be supervised
by the comptroller of the host organization.
e. Procedures by which the Executive Agent can
negotiate contracts.
f. Data processing service that may be required for
out of COINS (e. g. , personnel lists. PERT, etc.
g. Basic staff. (This staff will be augmented by the
participating organizations as required. }
Ii. Personnel, fiscal and administrative services and
support required.
SECTION IV - EXECUTIVE AGENT
6. The Director of the Executive Agency, in consultation :.ith
the DCL will appoint the Executive Agent.
Central Intelligence (DCI) for the administration of the COINS program
7. The COINS Executive Agent is responsible to the Direc
Ut-B community as ? cell as representing the program with
i attona as may be required.
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. The Executive Agent will be responsible for:
a. Coordinating his actions or proposed actions with
the appropriate COINS Managers of the participating organizations
involved. Conflicts will be referred in writing to the Chairman
of CODIB for resolution or consideration by USIB as may be
appropriate.
b. Yearly submission of a COINS Master Plan to USIB
through the Chairman of CODIB.
9. The Zxeecutive Agent, in cooperation with the COINS Managers
in each participating organization, 'ill:
a. Develop, coordinate and obtain USIS approval of a
of short, e d ium and long range objectives for the COINS
program, including an Implementation schedule.
b. Coordinate COINS budgets, plans and programs of
rticipwatiing organization to achieve the approved objectives
within the desired time frames.
c. Prepare the COINS Master Plan which integrates into
a single package the budget. -ns, programs, implementation
schedules, and resources for COINS of the participating organiza-
tions.
d. Monitors the implementation of the approved COINS
Master Plan.
e. Establish and maintain direct communications with
the COINS Managers in each participating organization.
Agent and COIN'S Managers
e of (1) formulating objectives for
planning, programming and budgeting actions which will be
submitted through cols to the DCI for approval; and
(Z) irisirnonting approved objectives.
f. Prepare recurring or special progress ro r
acg successful ndlesta es or problem areas indica
a taken to resolve identified problems.
g. monitor and analyze the program an a
basis, particularly with respect to technical rformancee,
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h. Assign technical responsibilities of specific tasks
to a participating organization through the use of a Technical
andum of Agreement.
i. Organize working groups and appoint chairmen to
investigate problem areas and make recommendations.
;dentify COINS R&D requirements and negotiate
their assignment to one of the participating agencies for action.
k. Develop an interagency COINS training program as
may be required, making maximum use of existing training
facilities.
1. Develop a security program consistent with existing
tions.
in. Negotiate for the services of other governmental
sisations (e. g.. GSA, DCA, ARPA, etc.).
n. Enter into contractual arrangements to acquire the
services of private contractors, consultants or nonprofit
organizations (e.g.. IDA, SDC, RAND, etc.) in accordance
with the existing directives and procedures governing contracts
of the Executive Agency. Provide supervision of contractor
activities.
o. Draft. coordinate and publish directives, conventions
and guidelines, and procedures with respect to the operation of
COINS.
p. Develop procedures for modifying existing data
bases or adding new data bases to satisfy the information
requirements of the participating organizations.
q. Coordinate with other USIB activities engaged in the
development of data basses or data standards Which may affect
COINS (.. g., Data Base Working Group/COMIREX, Intelligence
Guidance Subcommittee of the SIGINT Committee, CODIB, etc. ).
The Executive Agent has no authority to direct or manage
the internal operations of participating organizations. However, he
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can task a participating organization by negotiating a Technical
of Agreement (TMA) with the COINS Manager of the
tpating agency concerned. The participating agency is
responsible for executing an approved agreement.
11. The Executive Agent can use his operating funds for:
(a) travel, (b) procurement of experimental or specialized equipment,
(c) contract system studies which span more than one organization,
and (d) R&D, tasks of comamon concern but which no participating
organization is willing to accept and sponsor.
SECTION V - PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
for:
12. Each organization participating in the COINS program
a. Appoint a COINS Manager who will be responsible
(1) Representing their organization on all
aspects of the COINS programs.
(2) Managing the COINS program within their
own organization.
(3) Developing and coordinating all phases of
COINS activities within his organization.
(i) Providing information necessary for the
development of the COINS Master Plan.
b. Provide the equipment, software, personnel,
funding, and contractor resources required for its own COINS
facilities. Communications line costs from the central switch
to each department or agency will be borne by the agency can-
corned. During the experimental development and evaluation
phase of COINS, DIA will provide the central switch.
contain the resources required to meet the approved objectives
and implementation schedule.
c. Insure that its agency's program, plans and b
d. Prepare and submit recurring or special reports
to the Executive Agent as may be required.
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e. Provide assistance to the Executive Agent in the
(1) formulation of short, medium and long term objectives for
submission, to the DCI for approval, and (2) development of
implementation schedules.
f. Appoint appropriate technicians to serve on
working groups organised by the Executive Agent.
. Annually. cornmenctng in FY 1969, tranaf
account of the COINS Management Office at the host organiza-
tion a sum of money as approved in the COINS Master Plan for
general systems costs not attributable to any single department
or agency. This will serve as an operating fund to be used by
the Executive Agent in execution of his duties.
SECTION I - U SIB COMMITTEE ON DOCUMENTATION (COD
13. CODIB will act as the staff agency responsible for !
t> for the DCI and USIB the activities of the Executive Agency.
Specifically. CODIB will:
a. Endeavor to resolve all problems between th
Executive Agent and the COINS Managers.
b. Provide guidance to the Executive Agent an the
development of short. medium and long range objectives,
and review such objectives prior to their submission to the
DCI.
c. Provide guidance to the Executive Agent with
respect to policy and plans.
d. Make recommendations to USI concerning approval
or modification of the yearly COINS Master Plan.
e. Provide guidance to the Executive Agent on sub-
stantive intelligence requirements for the COINS system.
f. Conduct periodic operational and technical evalu-
a of the COINS system and report the results to USIB.
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SECTION VII - COINS MANAGEMENT OFFICE
14. The Executive Agency . vilbe authorized a staff of at
least five peeople, including a secretary. This will constitute the
COINS Management Office and be located in the Executive Agency.
Major USIB members (i. e.. CIA, DIA or NSA) will be expected to
providee the staff according to the following ratio
a. . cecuttivs Agency will provide, in addition to the
:xxecutive Agent. a basic staff of two senior technicians
specializing in data systems at the GS-13/14 level and a
secretary at the GS-5/7 level.
b. Participating organizations will each provide one
data systems analyst at the GS-12/13 level.
submitting the following periodic reports to the organizations ;
The Executive Agent for COINS will prepare and deliveir
oral and written reports as may be required. He will be responsible
a. A report containing objectives and an, eestizn4e
of the resources required from each agency to achieveee
...time to reclama and enter it into their budget, program
ization in June each year. This will allow them sufficient
v*a. This report will be submitted to each participating
and plan.
b. A semiannual status report to each participating
agency as well as to CODIB. USIB and other interested
organizations.
c. A COINS Master Plan each year to ICI.
16. Prior to 30 June 1969, the Executive Agent, in cooperation
.with the COINS managers and the Evaluation Panel, will submit to the
DCI an Evaluation Report based upon the Evaluation Plan approved by
CODIJ3.
SECTI
This Directive is effective on date of publication.
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