MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
(Office of Origin: DT/EI/NT)
5 FAH-2 H-741 Radio Programs Branch (DT/FO/ITI/LWS/RPB)
(CT:TEL-100; 06-04-2024)
The Radio Programs Branch (DT/FO/ITI/LWS/RPB) is the Department’s program manager for all voice radio systems (whether leased or U.S. government-owned) abroad, except for systems owned and operated by other agencies, or provided to, and operated by, host governments. Maintenance responsibilities are shared between RPB and Regional Information Management Centers (RIMCs).
5 FAH-2 H-742 Post Information Management (IM) staff
(CT:TEL-89; 06-30-2023)
(State only)
a. IM staff at post designated by the Information Management Officer (IMO) are responsible for the operational readiness of all Emergency Action Committee (EAC), Emergency & Evacuation (E&E), and administrative (ADM) network radio equipment and for maintaining an inventory of spares. Designated IM staff will analyze any malfunctioning equipment and determine whether post has the technical expertise to make repairs. If the equipment cannot be repaired at post, consult the Regional Information Management Center (RIMC) to determine whether the faulty equipment should be sent back to the Department for repair, or to schedule an information management technical specialist/radio (IMTS/R) visit at the first opportunity. The regional security officer (RSO) is responsible for the operations aspect of the local guard force (LGF) radio program as stated in 5 FAM 543 (d).
b. Post IM staff must coordinate the technical specifics with RIMC and the Radio Programs Branch (RPB) prior to performing an installation or relocation of radio equipment. The assistance of a qualified IMTS/R and a propagation study may be required for any major installation or relocation of radio equipment.
c. Procuring and installing any radio network must be coordinated with post IM staff to ensure equipment compatibility and Host Nation Approval (HNA) of frequencies. Post IM staff must coordinate with RIMC and RPB to ensure the project is approved and the current Department of State contracts are used for purchases. This will ensure appropriate network coverage and equipment compatibility/maintainability.
5 FAH-2 H-743 REGIONAL INFORMATION MANAGEMENT CENTER (RIMC)
(CT:TEL-89; 06-30-2023)
(State only)
a. Posts requesting repair/return of radio equipment should first contact their RIMC for troubleshooting, fault isolation, remediation, and technical control of network/system components, as required. The RIMC also assists post personnel in analyzing operational status, configuring capabilities, and performing software changes, troubleshooting, or enhancements, as required. RIMC service ticket request forms are available at siermprod.servicenowservices.com/rimc.
b. The Radio Programs Branch (RPB) provides radio maintenance support for all Foreign Service posts, as well as their supporting infrastructures. Posts may submit service requests for repair/return or disposal of equipment at siermprod.servicenowservices.com/dos. Select View All, Show More, Other Services, Show More, Show More, to access the Foreign Ops – Equipment Repair and Return or Disposition Request form.
c. The RIMC also offers technical expertise to posts, bureaus, and other agencies, as requested, to evaluate vendor or other proposals for lifecycle support of locally purchased or leased equipment.
5 FAH-2 H-744 OTHER AGENCIES
(CT:TEL-89; 06-30-2023)
(Uniform all agencies)
Tenant agencies that own radio systems are responsible for maintaining their equipment, their inventory of operable spares, and coordinating repairs or changes to their network with post management. Tenant agencies should notify the IM staff of pending visits by their radio technicians to post and notify the Chief of Mission (COM), Information Management Officer (IMO), and RSO of any significant changes to their networks.
5 FAH-2 H-745 INTERAGENCY MAINTENANCE AGREEMENTS
(CT:TEL-60; 07-26-2017)
(Uniform all agencies)
An IMTS/R may maintain equipment owned by other agencies during regularly scheduled visits after Department maintenance issues have been resolved only if there is a current interagency maintenance agreement. Likewise, if another agency’s radio technician is visiting a tenant agency, that technician may address repair issues for Department networks only if there is a current interagency maintenance agreement. Consult current interagency agreements between the Department and tenant agencies for specific guidance and delineation of responsibilities.
5 FAH-2 H-746 THROUGH H-749 UNASSIGNED