MKUltra Subproject 20

Subproject 20 of Project MKULTRA paid an outside company to make a chemical. The work was set up in November and December 1953. The company was to prepare the di-Mannich derivative of yohimbine hydrochloride, also called the Mannich product of yohimbine. The total cost was not to exceed 205.70 dollars, plus two pounds of yohimbine hydrochloride that the CIA side supplied. The company name is redacted.

The surviving paperwork shows the material was not available from any normal source and was needed for use in approved CD projects. A memo dated November 18, 1953 says two preparations would be needed because of the volume of material, and that analytical work was arranged on the outside, adding 14.00 dollars under Materials and Supplies. The cost estimate breaks down as Labor 120.00, Materials and Supplies 27.00, Overhead 40.00, and Profit 18.70.

Sidney Gottlieb, Chief of the Chemical Division, TSS, signed the approval memos. The file includes a signed Memorandum of Understanding about secrecy, an office memo on clearances, an invoice numbered 192 dated December 24, 1953 for 201.85 dollars, and the funding obligation memos. The papers carry a warning notice about sensitive intelligence sources and methods.