CHAPTER Ill, SECTION 6 SECTION 6 SUPPLY AND PROCUREMENT PROCUREMENT. secure the necessary bids for this service. Bids The activities of the Home Office Project Purchasing Department were directed by the in this type of service, and on the basis of low bid an award was made to Jerome F. Gould, Chief Purchasing Agent, with the assistance of a Purchasing Agent, Chief Expediter, and Shipping Agent in the performance of all project procurement functions. As all procurement functions were contin- gent upon receipt of material requisitions, co- ordination of activities of these groups was predicated on the required delivery date of the material or equipment. To ensure arrival of material and equipment at Jobsite within the specified delivery date, various aspects were taken into consideration: procurement lead-time, type of material or equipment, and method of shipment. Initial procurement action was started dur- ing the late months of 1956, and the tempo in- creased throughout 1957 with an extended work week becoming necessary during the latter months of 1957 and extending through 15 February 1958. During the build-up for construction and scientific program, considerable emphasis was placed on the “lead-time” allowed for arrival of material or equipment at Jobsite. Because of the heavy volume of procurement and the short delivery lead-time during this period, it was necessary to solicit bids on very short notice by telephone, telegraph, and letter request for quo- tations. Although the element of time placed undue pressure upon vendors, in most instances were solicited from nine companies specializing Inc., Brooklyn, New York. Partial dismantling of the complex equipment was accomplished by several H&N Communications Engineers. Upon final dismantling, packing, and crating operations, all items were placed in storage at Stewart AFB, pending arrangements for special MATS airlift to EPG. Actual loading of the first of six C-124 aircraft commenced on 5 August 1957; the final aircraft was loaded on 9 August 1957. Due to the long-lead time requirement for distillation units, early procurement action was initiated to assure the best possible delivery. At the time of Purchase Order award there appeared to be no difficulty in obtaining all required basic materials and components. However, during the process of manufacture, the sub-vendor furnish- ing the compressors was absorbed by another firm. This change caused numerous production delays, and it became necessary to assign a representative at the factory to expedite production to conform to required delivery schedules. During this delay period, other component parts were delivered and with the cooperation of the prime vendor, fabrication and assembly proceeded and a minimum of time waslost. In spite of the unforseeable delay, this order was completed in a satisfactory manner. Due to a change in Users’ requirements, the delivery schedule of the mobile launching tower all requests for quotations were processed in for Station 6001 was accelerated by 30 days. In order to accomplish this requirement, neces- The early receipt of requisitions for items of long lead-time and special fabrications such a premium proposal to be submitted and accept- the allowed period of time. as steel towers, guys, bridge cranes, submarine and telephone cables, steel piling, winches, distillation units, walk-in refrigerators, steel and aluminum buildings, dehumidification and air conditioning units, generators, and other mis- cellaneous items, assisted greatly in allowing additional procurement time. During May 1957 the Purchasing Depart- ment was required to make the necessary arrange- ments for dismantling, packing, crating, and hauling of two Tropospheric Scatter Systems which were transferred to the AEC from the U.S. Air Force on an M/R basis. One unit was located at North Truro, Massachusetts, and the other at Stewart AFB, Newburgh, New York. A representative was sent to the Eastern seaboard to sary details involving production, delivery of component parts, and overtime required were coordinated with the fabricator. thus enabling ed. The final result was delivery of all compo- nents two days earlier than required by the revised delivery date. During the early part of 1957, a Purchase Order was placed for a dial telephone system for inter-atoll communications. The original de- livery was scheduled for the latter part of 1957, but increased User requirements and necessary design changes created a delayed delivery schedule. However, delivery of certain basic portions of the system was expedited for earlier ship- ment, enabling Jobsite to proceed with theinstalation. The late 1957 and early 1958 requirements covering pipe assemblies, caissons, and related Page 373