UNCLASSIFIED (U)

14 FAM 220

general ACQUISITIONs

(CT:LOG-342;   02-02-2022)
(Office of Origin:  A/OPE)

14 FAM 221  GENERAL ACQUISITIONs ISSUES

14 FAM 221.1  Advance Acquisition Planning

(CT:LOG-298;   11-24-2020)

a. Acquisition planning is described in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 7 and Department of State Acquisition Regulation (DOSAR) Part 607.  Acquisition planning is critical to the Department’s ability to produce an annual Forecast of Contract Opportunities, a publication produced by the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization (OSDBU).  Acquisition planning should occur concurrently with budget planning.

b. Each year, the Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE) issues a memorandum setting forth the internal procedures for acquisition planning and providing a planning format.  The advance acquisition plans (AAPs) must be submitted to the appropriate contracting activity.  Acquisition planning applies to all Department acquisitions with an estimated value exceeding the current simplified acquisition threshold except for construction acquisitions abroad conducted by the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations.

c.  Acquisition planning must be initiated by a requirements office or post abroad as soon as a need is identified, preferably well in advance of the fiscal year in which the contract action is necessary.  Acquisition requirements not identified in AAP submissions may be returned to a requirements office because adequate resources are not available to process the acquisitions in a timely, cost-effective manner, in full compliance with law and regulation.

d. In the event a projected requirement is identified after AAPs have been submitted, the requirements office or post abroad should submit advance information immediately using the appropriate format.  Inadequate planning must not be used to justify either sole-source or limited competition by reason of unusual or compelling urgency.  It should be noted that FAR 6.302-2 requires that agencies request offers from as many potential sources as is practicable under the circumstances when attempting to use the “unusual and compelling urgency” exception to full and open competition.

e. Acquisition plans for services with expenditures expected to exceed $25 million per year must be approved by the cognizant Assistant Secretary to validate that adequate resources have been identified for effective contract administration.

14 FAM 221.2  Year-End Spending

(CT:LOG-262;   04-18-2019)

a. Acquisitions must be preceded by adequate planning and appropriate budget and fiscal management.  Acquisitions that are made near the end of a fiscal year must represent a bona fide need for that fiscal year.  Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.301(c), contracting without full and open competition may not be justified on the basis of:

(1)  Lack of advance planning by the requirements office; or

(2)  Concerns related to the amount of funds available (e.g., funds will expire).

b. To ensure that year-end acquisitions are procured efficiently:

(1)  Orders for supplies and services will be kept to the minimum needed to support essential, approved programs;

(2)  New contracts for future services will be made in accordance with established advance acquisition plans;

(3)  Requisitions must be received in the Office of Acquisition Management (A/OPE/AQM) in time to ensure processing before the end of the fiscal year.  A/OPE/AQM posts its deadlines on the A/LM Home Page on the Intranet.  All purchase requests that are not included in approved AAPs or are submitted after the applicable deadline are subject to being returned to the requirements office or post without action; and

(4)  All purchase orders and delivery orders using annual appropriations must be delivered, mailed, or pouched by the contracting officer by midnight local time on September 30.  If electronic notification is provided by the contracting officer via fax, email, or e-commerce, confirmation of receipt or successful transmission must be provided before October 1.  Negotiated contracts must be signed by both the contractor and the contracting officer before October 1.  Contracts awarded as a result of sealed bidding must be signed by the contracting officer prior to October 1.

14 FAM 221.3  Clearance Requirements

(CT:LOG-49;   11-13-2007)

Various Department of State offices must clear and approve certain equipment and services before a contracting officer may initiate an acquisition.  The list of items and clearance offices is shown in 14 FAM Exhibit 221.3.  It is the responsibility of the requirements office to obtain the appropriate clearances prior to submitting the acquisition request to the contracting activity.

14 FAM 221.4  Standardization Program

(CT:LOG-94;   05-05-2011)

a. Department of State Acquisition Regulation (DOSAR) 606.370 establishes the Department’s Standardization Program.  While it is the Department’s policy to promote full and open competition in all acquisition actions, there are some circumstances where only specified makes and models of equipment will satisfy the Department’s needs and only one source is available.

b. Requirements offices or posts that wish to standardize must prepare a written justification for other than full and open competition.  The justification must be approved by the contracting officer, the requirements office, the procuring activity competition advocate, and the Procurement Executive.  Sample justifications for motor vehicles and household appliances standardizations are available on the Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE) Web page on the Intranet.

c.  The Departmental Competition Advocate, located in the Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE), controls and disseminates information on current standardizations and expiration dates for posts for motor vehicles and household appliances.

14 FAM 221.5  Three Acquisition Methods

(CT:LOG-49;   11-13-2007)

a. Simplified acquisition:  Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 13 and Department of State Acquisition Regulation (DOSAR) Part 13 describe simplified acquisition procedures.  These procedures include the imprest fund (petty cash), the Government-wide purchase card, purchase orders, and blanket purchase agreements (BPAs).  Simplified acquisition procedures may be used for the acquisition of supplies, services, and construction when the aggregate amount is $100,000 or less.  Acquisitions for commercial items may use simplified acquisition procedures for acquisitions up to $5.5 million under the Special Test Program in FAR Subpart 13.5.

b. Sealed bidding:  Sealed-bidding procedures are described in FAR Part 14 and DOSAR Part 614.  Sealed bidding employs competitive bids, public opening of bids, and contract award that is based on the lowest bid submitted by a responsive, responsible bidder.

c.  Negotiation:  The procedures and policies for contracting by negotiation are described in FAR Part 15 and DOSAR Part 615.  In a negotiated acquisition, offerors submit proposals that are evaluated by the U.S. Government, which may, when deemed appropriate, conduct negotiations/discussions and permit offerors an opportunity to revise their proposals before an award decision is made.

14 FAM 221.6  Performance-Based Statements of Work

(CT:LOG-94;   05-05-2011)

a. Specifications are the heart of any acquisition.  In most instances, commercial providers should be able to meet the specifications.  Specifications should be written to provide for maximum competition and should not be restrictive.

b. In recent years, there has been an emphasis to make contractors more accountable by requiring them to produce tangible results.  This is particularly true for service contracts.  Thus, performance-based service contracts are the standard when drafting statements of work for services.  In accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) guidance, forty (40) percent of eligible service contracts exceeding $25,000 must be performance-based.

c.  Performance-based service contracts:

(1)  Describe work in terms of results needed;

(2)  Use measurable performance standards;

(3)  Provide for price reductions when acceptable work is not performed; and

(4)  Give contractors freedom to determine how to meet the U.S. Government’s performance objectives.

d. Requirements offices must arrange for training of employees who write statements of work for contracts.  The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) offers a correspondence course on this subject, and many other courses are available commercially.

e. Detailed information on performance-based service contracting is available on the Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE) Internet Home Page or on the A/OPE Intranet Home Page.

14 FAM 221.7  Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions

(CT:LOG-49;   11-13-2007)

a. Contracting officers are required to publicize proposed actions exceeding $25,000 in the Government-wide point of entry (GPE) in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 5.  Federal Business Opportunities has been designated as the GPE.

b. In accordance with a Determination and Findings issued by the Assistant Secretary of State for Administration and implemented in Department of State Acquisition Regulation (DOSAR) 605.202-70, contracting officers at posts abroad are not required to publicize acquisitions in the GPE, unless the acquisition is for local guard services, or the acquisition is for any service, supply, or construction that exceeds $5 million (see paragraph d in this section).

c.  Contracting officers at posts abroad are not required to prepare an individual determination and findings to document their decision to waive the GPE notice requirements.

d. All solicitations for local guard contracts that exceed $250,000 in the aggregate and any acquisition exceeding $5 million must be advertised in the GPE.

e. Nothing in this section prevents a contracting officer abroad from advertising in the GPE if he or she decides that such notice would be in the Department’s best interests.

f.  The Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE) submits notices of proposed contract actions electronically to the GPE on behalf of posts, in accordance with DOSAR 605.207(a)(1).

14 FAM 221.8  Reporting Requirements - State/Federal Procurement Data System - Next Generation (S/FPDS-NG)

(CT:LOG-94;   05-05-2011)

a. The Federal Procurement Data System―Next Generation (FPDS―NG) is a computer-based information collection system established by the Office of Management and Budget’s Office of Federal Procurement Policy.  Executive departments and agencies are responsible for collecting and reporting acquisition data to the General Services Administration’s Federal Procurement Data Center (FPDC), in accordance with the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act, as amended, and the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 4.6.

b. The State/Federal Procurement Data System―Next Generation (S/FPDS―NG) is an automated data collection system designed to provide the Department’s offices worldwide with an effective method for collecting and reporting acquisition data to the Federal Procurement Data System FPDC’s FPDS―NG.  The State/Federal Procurement Data System―Next Generation (S/FPDS―NG) is maintained by the Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE).

c.  All domestic contracting activities must submit quarterly acquisition data directly to GSA’s FPDS―NG program via the Internet.  Contracting activities abroad must submit procurement data using the State/Federal Procurement Data System-Next Generation (S/FPDS―NG) to A/OPE for subsequent transmittal to GSA’s FPDS―NG:

(1)  Domestic contracting activities:  Reports must be submitted on an ongoing basis throughout the reporting quarter since FPDS―NG processes data in real time; and

(2)  Contracting activities abroad:  Reports must be submitted no later than 15 calendar days following the last day of each fiscal year quarter being reported.

d. Detailed information on the State/Federal Procurement―Next Generation (S/FPDS―NG) may be found on the A/OPE Intranet Web site and the A/OPE Internet home page.

14 FAM 221.9  State First Policy for Acquisition

(CT:LOG-294;   10-13-2020)

a. In accordance with Department of State Acquisition Regulation (DOSAR) 607.103-70, domestic bureaus and offices must first use the services of the Office of Acquisition Management (A/OPE/AQM) or other appropriate Department of State contracting activity before transferring funds to another agency to conduct an acquisition.  This policy applies across the board, regardless of the statutory or regulatory authority to transfer funds to other agencies for acquisition purposes.  It includes transfers under the Economy Act, the Clinger-Cohen Act, and any other legal authority.  It also includes funds deposited with another agency for subsequent use, where no immediate need has been identified.

b. Domestic bureaus or offices may only transfer funds to another agency for acquisition services after obtaining a waiver of the State First policy from their acquisition office, normally the Office of Acquisition Management (A/OPE/AQM).  The request for waiver must be in the form of a memorandum or email to the director of the appropriate acquisition office, or his or her designee.  The request must address the following:

(1)  Identification of the agency proposed to provide acquisition services, including contact name, address, and telephone number;

(2)  Description of the requirement and acquisition services to be provided by the other agency, to include all acquisition history and incumbent contractor name, if applicable;

(3)  Estimated total dollar value, including option years;

(4)  Duration of requirement, including option years;

(5)  Reason for using another agency for the acquisition; and

(6)  Amount of surcharge that would be applied by the proposed servicing agency.

c.  The acquisition office must review each request on a case-by-case basis jointly with the Office of the Procurement Executive (A/OPE) and the OSDBU and respond promptly to the requesting office or bureau.  The response must include the rationale for the decision either to do the work in house or to authorize use of another agency:

(1)  If the acquisition office approves the request, that office must instruct the requesting bureau or office to prepare an Interagency Agreement (IAA) in accordance with DOSAR 617.5.  The requesting bureau or office must obtain the necessary clearances and authorizations to make the IAA effective both in the Department and the other agency;

(2)  If the acquisition office disapproves the request, that office must instruct the requesting bureau or office to forward a procurement request to the appropriate contracting officer for action and must work with the bureau or office to develop an acquisition plan.

d. In reviewing a particular case, the acquisition office and A/OPE may determine that the sort of acquisition involved will not require future review and may grant a blanket waiver for future instances where the same item is involved, such as IAAs with the Department of Defense for ammunition.

14 FAM 221.10  Acquisition Requirements in Other Volumes of the FAM

(CT:LOG-122;   04-17-2012)

a. Refer to 15 FAM, Overseas Buildings Operations, for acquiring, leasing, constructing, or renovating real property abroad, and for providing furniture, furnishings, appliances, and equipment (FFA&E) and certain other items (antiques, works of art, and other cultural heritage objects) for residences, offices, and other functional space.

b. Refer to 12 FAM, Diplomatic Security, for contract security requirements as well as purchase and control of security equipment.

c.  Refer to 7 FAH-1, Consular Management Handbook, for consular supplies.

d. Refer to 5 FAM Chapter 900, Information Technology (IT) Acquisition, and 5 FAM Chapter 1000, Information Technology (IT) Planning, for information technology.

e. Refer to INL Procurement Policies and Procedures for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) acquisitions.

14 FAM 222  contract administration

(CT:LOG-94;   05-05-2011)

a. Contract administration involves ensuring that both the contractor and the U.S. Government fulfill their mutual obligations as set forth in the contract.  Contract administration begins when the contract has been signed and ends with the administrative actions taken at contract closeout when performance has been completed and the contractor has received final payment.

b. Contract administration includes monitoring the contractor’s technical progress and performance, approving invoices for payment in accordance with contractual terms, reviewing and consenting to subcontracts, controlling U.S. Government property, and overseeing contract modifications and terminations.

c.  The contracting officer may designate one or more technically qualified personnel as authorized representative(s) to assist in the administration of contracts, pursuant to Department of State Regulation (DOSAR) 642.270.  These individuals are:

(1)  Contracting officer’s representative (COR), who is the primary individual assigned to monitor and evaluate the contractor’s performance; and

(2)  Government technical monitor (GTM), who assists the COR in monitoring and evaluating the contractor’s performance.

d. The contracting officer is the only person who may modify the contract, or take action to enter into or change a contractual commitment on behalf of the U.S. Government.

e. The COR and GTM may assist the contracting officer in ensuring that the contractor complies with all terms and conditions of the contract, including the delivery and quality conditions specified in the contract.

f.  Requiring offices are responsible for planning the extent of contract administration support necessary for effective contract monitoring.  Consideration should be given to the number of geographic locations requiring monitoring, the need for special technical expertise, language skills, and any special monitoring requirements.  Requiring offices should identify the need for contractor support and travel funding and reserve sufficient program funding.

14 FAM 223  through 229 UNASSIGNED

14 FAM Exhibit 221.3
Clearance Requirements for Supplies and Services

(CT:LOG-338;   12-01-2021)

ITEM OR SERVICE	WHERE	APPROVAL OFFICE	NOTES
Air conditioners	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/FMS A/OPR/RPM GSO, FM
Aircraft charter Aircraft charter	Domestic Abroad	A/LM/OPS A/LM/OPS GSO	Charters aircraft for all domestic Department of State offices to transport personnel and/or supplies. Requests to charter aircraft to transport personnel and/or supplies from a post abroad are coordinated through post’s GSO.  Basic chartering needs may be fulfilled independently by post’s GSO with clearance by A/LM/OPS.  Complex chartering needs requiring aircraft ground handling support, analysis, and/or special equipment support are typically fulfilled by A/LM/OPS. Leasing of aircraft for program support by the INL Bureau is not an A/LM/OPS or GSO responsibility.
Audiovisual productions	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/GSM/VPU PAO, GSO	PAO, GSO for procurement
Body Armor (hard armor, soft armor, carriers, and helmets)	Domestic Abroad	DS/C DS/C	All body armor specifications and approved equipment lists are recommended by the DS Special Protective Equipment Review Board (SPERB) and DS/C approved. DEAV acquires these items for DS use.  All orders must be coordinated through DEAV. A/OPE/AQM/DSCD is the mandatory contracting source for body armor purchases on behalf of DOS. A waiver is required for purchases outside of DEAV’s A/OPE/AQM/DSCD contract or ordering mechanism.
Building maintenance and services	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/FMS FM, RSO, GSO	Owned or leased real and personal property
Classified requirements	Domestic Abroad	DS/DSS A/GIS/IPS RSO	DS/DSS handles the physical security requirements and special access programs.  A/GIS/IPS handles classification and declassification.
Construction and renovation	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/FMS A/OPR/RPM OBO/PDCS/DE OBO/CFSM/FAC POSHO at post. OBO/OPS/SHEM for environmental activities.	During planning and prior to excavation. During planning and before work begins (with FAC approval on projects involving roofs, environmental activities, utilities management, elevators, post communication centers, and controlled access areas).  Specialized knowledge resides in DE/ADB.
Copying equipment:  Copiers and cameras	Domestic Abroad	A/GIS/GPS A/OPR/GSM GSO RSO/SEO	Covers lease, purchase, or rental, and includes color copiers and color printers rated at 3 copies per minute or faster.  A/OPR/GSM covers cameras only. Procurement for all copiers in CAA; SILMS procurement.
Filing equipment: Filing cabinets, safes, and moving, vertical, and rotary files	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/FMS A/OPR/RPM FMM OBO/PDCS/DE/ME	Structural surveys of floor for excessively heavy filing systems. Specialized knowledge resides in DE/CSB.
Filming services: Motion picture filming, video taping	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/GSM/VPU A/OPR/GSM/VPU PAO	Public affairs distribution
Financial systems	Domestic Abroad	CGFS/F CGFS/F	Covers standards for and program direction to requirements analysis, development, implementation, and maintenance of worldwide financial management systems.
Foreign Service National (FSN) insurance	Domestic Abroad	N/A MO, GSO GTM/OE	Procurement:  Post HR officer must obtain clearance from GTM/OE.
Furniture, Furnishings, and Equipment	Domestic Abroad (office) renovations MSG Quarters Abroad (residence)	A/OPE/AQM A/OPR/RPM OBO/PDCS/DE/ID OBO/OPS/AM A/OPE/AQM	A/OPR/RPM must approve of and/or develop plans for systems furniture prior to the order being placed to ensure electrical (power and lighting), HVAC, disability, fire safety, and utilization rate U/R requirements are met. Controls construction or renovation of office facilities and Marine Security Guard Quarters.  OBO provides FF&E for office facilities during planning and prior to procurement for renovation and lease fit-out projects, and for replacement furnishings.  Specialized knowledge resides in DE/IDB. OBO controls the expenditure and design quality of principal officer residences.  A/OPE/AQM manages the Department’s residential furniture contract.
Generators and generator-related items	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/FMS A/OPR/RPM FM, GSO OBO/CFSM/FAC	A/OPR/RPM must clear on location to ensure that floor load capacity is not exceeded. For existing facilities, OBO/CFSM/FAC must clear on any new generator installations, generator replacements, and rebuilds of existing generators.  See 15 FAM 645.3 for more information.
Graphic equipment:  drafting, plotting, other	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/RPM	A/OPR/RPM must clear on location to ensure that floor load capacity is not exceeded. Refer to post guidelines.
Graphic services:  Artwork, designs, presentations slides, charts	Domestic Abroad	A/GIS/GPS PAO, IMO	Refer to post guidelines.
Hazardous and safety-related materials for use by U.S. Government and/or contractor personnel:  Chemicals or chemical products, pesticides and pesticide services, health protective equipment, fire safety equipment	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/FMS OBO/OPS/SHEM OBO/OPS/FIRE POSHO at post. GSO	Only Department-authorized, EPA-registered professional use pesticides can be used abroad (refer to DOS Integrated Pest Management Program Document, Table 2).  OBO/OPS/SHEM clearance is required for DOS HQ organizations sending or authorizing materials for use abroad.  OBO/OPS/FIRE clears fire safety equipment.
Kitchen appliances and equipment	Domestic Abroad	Executive director of requesting bureau A/OPR/FMS OBO/OPS/AM GSO, FM	To ensure the appliance is consistent with Department policy and building infrastructure (e.g., weight, voltage).  A/OPR/RPM must clear on location to ensure that floor load capacity is not exceeded. Items over $250:  To ensure that appliance is consistent with Department and post policy and building infrastructure (e.g., weight, voltage).
Labor services	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/GSM/SS/OS GSO	Labor services for small and large office moves (HST and annex buildings within a 100-mile radius). Procurement
Language services:  Translators, interpreters, escorts	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/LS GSO	Procurement
FSI Language training	Domestic Abroad	M/FSI/EX M/FSI/EX
Local guard services	Domestic Abroad	DS/DO/DFP DS/IP/FPO A/OPE/AQM/DSCD	Contract administration. Contract administration.
Lock services	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/GSM/SS/OS FM, RSO	Lock hardware installation and repairs.
Medical equipment and medical professional Personnel	Domestic Abroad	M/MED MO, GSO	Procurement
Motor vehicles	Domestic Abroad (U.S. manufacture only) Abroad (waiver for non-U.S. manufacture only) Abroad (armored vehicles) Domestic (armored vehicles)	A/OPR/GSM/FO a.  A/LM/PMP/OF b.  ICASS council and A/LM/PMP/OF c.  DS/IP/OPO and A/LM/PMP/OF d.  OBO and A/LM/PMP/OF a.  A/LM/PMP/OF b.  ICASS service provider at post and A/LM/PMP/OF c.  DS/SPC/MSG and A/LM/PMP/OF d.  DS/IP/OPO/FPD and A/LM/PMP/OF e.  OBO and A/LM/PMP/OF DS/PSP/DEAV/AV and A/LM/PMP/OF	Clears all justifications for vehicle acquisitions and leases, provides guidance concerning technical matters, the Federal Property Management Regulation (FPMR), and applicable legislation.  Executes all orders for vehicle acquisitions and leases.  Requesting offices fund services through working capital fund obligations. a.  All motor vehicles funded by the Department of State (appropriated funds) must be approved by A/LM/PMP/OF prior to the acquisition of the vehicle. b.  For ICASS-funded vehicles. c.  For security vehicles. d.  For OBO construction project vehicles. a.  All motor vehicles funded by the Department of State (appropriated funds) must be approved by A/LM/PMP/OF prior to the acquisition of the vehicle. b.  For ICASS. c.  For Marine security guard. d.  For local guard. e.  For OBO construction projects. See armored vehicles. DS/PSP/DEAV is the only authorized source for acquisition, maintenance and repair, and disposal of DS and the Overseas Security Policy Board (OSPB) compliant vehicles for personnel under the Secretary and/or chief of mission’s security responsibility. Domestically, DS/PSP/DEAV is the only authorized source for DOS armored vehicles.  DEAV provides guidance for armored vehicles being used for foreign assistance, implementing partners, or others outside of those covered by the OSPB.
Name-retrievable systems	Domestic Abroad	A/GIS/IPS A/GIS/IPS Regional bureau	Required to publish in Federal Register if collecting personal information on U.S. citizens or permanent legal resident aliens and information is retrievable by name or identifier.
Paper:  Continuous feed, Xerographic, other	Domestic Abroad	A/LM/OPS/SL GSO	For procurement.
Passenger ground transportation	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/GSM/FO MO, GSO	Executes all orders for passenger ground transportation by bus, automobile, or charter motor coach.  Requesting offices fund services through working capital obligation.
Printing equipment	Domestic Abroad	a.  A/GIS/GPS b.  A/OPR/FMS GSO	a.  Includes high-speed copiers (rated over 25 copies per minute) that are on- or off-line. b.  Clearance required for excessively heavy equipment that could create floor load problems. Refer to post guidelines.
Publications:  Books, magazines and newspapers in print or electronic format	Domestic Abroad	Bureau Head of section	Bureau gives approval, and A/GIS/IPS/LIBR makes the purchase. Purchases are made directly with vendors or through A/GIS/IPS/LIBR.
Real estate lease – office space	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/FMS A/OPR/RPM OBO/PRE/OAD GSO	By contract or subcontract. OBO approval required for functional leases.
Real estate lease – residential	Domestic Abroad	N/A GSO	See 15 FAM 311 for leasing authorities.  Foreign leases over $25,000 per annum require OBO approval.
Shielded enclosures	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/RPM A/OPR/FMS OBO/PDCS/DE RSO/SEO	Specialized knowledge resides in DE/EEB.  Contact DS/CMP ECB for CAA.
Signs (HST corridors only)	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/GSM/SS/OS N/A
Tempest equipment and systems	Domestic Abroad	Bureau ISSO IMO	Approved equipment is found on the Approved Equipment List.  The list is defined by DS/CMP/ECB/CTTA (certified TEMPEST testing authority).
Training:  educational technology	Domestic Abroad	M/FSI/EX M/FSI/EX DTS-PO Training Academy (DTA) HRO	For DTA, telecommunications protocol, base-band and transmission systems used throughout the DTS network.
Training:  Internal and external.	Domestic Abroad	Bureau EX M/FSI/EX M/FSI/EX HRO	Refer to 13 FAM, 5 FAM 615 and 5 FAM 617, and post guidelines.
Two-way radio equipment	Domestic Abroad	IRM/OPS/ENM IMO	Required to ensure and coordinate Federal technical and licensing requirements (5 FAM 540). Required to ensure that new equipment and systems operated under chief-of-mission (COM) authority comply with licensing requirements in Article 27 of the Vienna Convention (5 FAM 540).
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS or “drones”)	Domestic and Abroad	Small UAS (not exceeding 55 pounds): INL/A UAS exceeding 55 pounds: Aviation Governing Board	Aviation Governing Board (AGB delegated approval authority to INL/A). Submit requests via INL/A.
Video conferencing	Domestic Abroad	IRM/FO/ITI IRM/FO/ITI
Video equipment (tapes, cameras, reproduction equipment, duplication equipment)	Domestic Abroad	A/OPR/GSM/VPU PAO, IMO GSO	A/OPR/GSM/VPU clearance will determine if the proposed equipment is compatible with Department support services. Refer to post guidelines.
Weapons and ammunition	Domestic Abroad	DS/C N/A	DS/PSP/DEAV/DE acquires these items for DOS use.  A/OPE/AQM may purchase on behalf of DS. Weapons and ammunition may not be purchased by overseas contracting officers.

UNCLASSIFIED (U)