Approved For Release oO ORO CURB ge-00791 R000100120001 -4 ORD-152-95 6 March 1995 MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT Between U.S. Army Research Institute (ART) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Office of Research and Development (ORD) Support in Establishing Blue Ribbon Panel at National Research Council (NRC) to Evaluate Paranormal Studies Program 1. Purpose This document defines the working relationship and responsibilities between the U.S. Army Research Institute (ARI), and the Central Intelligence agency (CIA), Office of Research and Development (ORD), for support in establishing a Blue Ribbon Panel at the National Research Council (NRC) to evaluate various government-sponsored studies in paranormal phenomena. 2. Background In FY95 Congress directed that a government-sponsored program be transferred from another government Agency to CIA by July 1, 1995. Congress also directed a retrospective review of past program activities. This review requires an inventory and analysis of the relevant files at the various government agencies where this program has been conducted in the past. CIA has already taken steps to assemble a collection of unclassified documents representative of the program. The CIA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) believes that the National Research Council (NRC) of the National Academy of Sciences is the single best organization to perform the mandated review. This is because of its Congressional charter to address questions of Congressional interest, and its ready access to a variety of world-class experts having expertise in the area in question. Since ARI has managed past and current efforts at the NRC to evaluate programs relating to behavioral science, ARI is the natural executive agency to manage NRC in its performance of this review. In addition, the urgency of Congress' request makes it impossible for CIA to establish an independent relationship with NRC and still meet the Congressional deadlines. For Official Use Only Approved For Release 2000/08/10 : CIA-RDP96-00791R000100120001-4
Approved For Release 200 fe cist Mets ooo R000100120001 -4 SUBJECT: Support in Establishing Blue Ribbon Panel at National Research Council (NRC) to Evaluate Paranormal Studies Program 3. Responsibilities Under this Memorandum: A. CIA/ORD will: (1) Provide the financial resources necessary for ARI to procure this activity from NRC. These resources are currently estimated at less than $300K. These resources will be provided incrementally to meet contract obligations. (2) Obtain and provide all unclassified documentation necessary to perform this review. CTIA will acquire selected contract research and development reports relating to the technical program in question and will provide these to ARI for NRC's review. (3) Contact the past principal contract investigators and technical evaluators to the extent possible in order to facilitate their being interviewed by NRC during the Blue Ribbon Panel review. (4) Facilitate the scheduling of presentations by the existing government program manager and his staff. (5) Provide other support as agreed upon by both parties and implemented by amendment, if deemed appropriate, to this MOA. B. ARI will: (1) Contract with the NRC to assemble a "Blue Ribbon Panel" of world-class experts in paranormal phenomena to review research and development relating to the use and investigation of such phenomena. (2) Manage the contract to ensure appropriate use of resources and adherence to contract schedule. (3) Allow CIA/ORD direct interaction with the NRC staff director in order to facilitate the review. (4) Provide any other support as agreed upon by both parties and implemented by amendment, if deemed appropriate, to this MOA. 2 Approved For Release 2000/5374 62! HacRHb6-00791 R000100120001-4