What happens after a Foreign Military Sales Letter of Request is submitted?

The term used to identify a request from an eligible FMS participant country for the purchase of U.S. defense articles and services. The request may be in message or letter format.

The military department or defense agency responsible for the execution of military assistance programs. With respect to FMS, the military department or defense agency assigned responsibility by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency to prepare an LOA and to implement an FMS case. The implementing agency is responsible for the overall management of the actions that will result in delivery of the materials or services set forth in the LOA that was accepted by a foreign country or international organization.

A Department of Defense element that is part of the United States Diplomatic mission located in a foreign country to carry out security assistance and security cooperation management functions under the supervision and coordination authority of the senior defense official/defense attaché.

The measures and controls taken to deny unauthorized persons’ information derived from telecommunications and other information systems, and technologies necessary to ensure the authenticity of such communications. COMSEC includes cryptographic security, transmission security, emissions security, and physical security of COMSEC material. Secure telecommunication or information system cryptographic components are the primary COMSEC products for transmission security and commonly called COMSEC devices or products. COMSEC devices are designated Controlled Cryptographic Items (CCI).

A unique six-digit identifier assigned to an Foreign Military Sales case for the purpose of identification, accounting, and data processing of each Letter of Offer and Acceptance. The case identifier consists of the two-letter country code, a one-letter designator for the Implementing Agency, and a three-letter case designator.

An excepted term and condition within the Foreign Military Sales case (or Letter of Offer and Acceptance). A firm commitment by a foreign government or international organization to pay the full amount of a contract for new production or for the performance of defense services which will assure the U.S. against any loss on such contract and to make funds available in such amounts and at such times as may be required by the contract, or for any damages and costs that may accrue from the cancellation of such a contract, provided that in the judgment of the DoD there is sufficient likelihood that the foreign government or international organization will have the economic resources to fulfill the commitment.

A group of programs authorized by federal statutes by which the United States provides defense articles, military training, and other defense-related services by grant, lease, loan, credit, or cash sales in furtherance of national policies and objectives, and those that are funded and authorized through the Department of State to be administered by Department of Defense/Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which are considered part of security cooperation.

Data required to develop a Letter of Offer and Acceptance.

Defense articles for which special export controls are warranted because of the capacity of such articles for substantial military utility or capability. These items are identified on the U.S. Munitions List in the International Traffic in Arms Regulations by an asterisk preceding the item category listing.

A unified or specified command with a broad continuing mission under a single commander established and so designated by the President, through the Secretary of Defense and with the advice and assistance of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also called CCMD.

Activities undertaken by the DoD to encourage and enable international partners to work with the United States to achieve strategic objectives. It includes all DoD interactions with foreign defense and security establishments, including all DoD-administered security assistance programs, that: build defense and security relationships that promote specific U.S. security interests, including all international armaments cooperation activities and security assistance activities; develop allied and friendly military capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations; and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access to host nations.

Recorded information of a scientific or technical nature, regardless of form or characteristic. Examples of technical data packages include research and engineering drawings and associated lists, specifications, standards, process sheets, manuals, technical reports, catalog item identifications, and related information and computer software documentation.

The Implementing Agencies’ (IAs) response to a Foreign Military Sales Letter of Request for P&A. It is an initial, non-binding cost estimate intended for planning and feasibility assessment, giving the foreign government or international organization (partner) a general idea of the potential cost and availability of defense articles or services. Furnishing this data does not constitute a commitment for the USG to offer for sale the articles and services.

One of the departments within the DoD created by the National Security Act of 1947, as amended. The Military Departments are: the Department of the Air Force, the Department of the Army, and the Department of the Navy.

The legal instrument used by the USG to transfer itemized defense articles, defense services, and design and construction services to foreign partners.

When used under the authorities provided in the Arms Export Control Act for Foreign Military Sales, the LOA is a binding agreement signed by the USG and the foreign partner to transfer such articles and services.

When used under Building Partnership Capacity (BPC) authorities, the BPC LOA is not signed by the Benefitting Partner.