What makes a Letter of Request actionable in Foreign Military Sales?

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.

Any weapon, weapons system, munition, aircraft, vessel, boat, or other implement of war;

Any service, test, inspection, repair, training, publication, technical or other assistance, or defense information used for the purpose of furnishing military assistance or sales of the United States, but does not include military education and training activities under section 2347 of the FAA (22 U.S.C 2347) or design and construction services under section 29 of the AECA.

Source of funding that is provided directly from the purchaser.

A legal instrument issued by a bank, Export Credit Agency, or other lending institution, that guarantees the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partner's payment due to the U.S. Government under applicable FMS Letter of Offer and Acceptance. LC Number: Unique identifier for a specific Letter of Credit.

Data required to develop a Letter of Offer and Acceptance.

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.

All those actions accomplished in or near a contractor's plant for the benefit of the U.S. government which are necessary to the performance of a contract or in support of the buying offices, system/project managers, and other organizations, including quality assurance, engineering support, production surveillance, pre-award surveys, mobilization planning, contract administration, property administration, industrial security, and safety.

A capability or system that is not identified as a Program of Record by the U.S. Department of Defense.

A team of U.S. personnel who assess the Foreign Military Sales customer's logistics capabilities and shortfalls to determine the optimum type and quantity of logistics support to be included in the Total Package Approach.

A Communications Security (COMSEC) RIP is a USG policy decision related to disclosure of COMSEC information, products, or services in support of a secure interoperability requirement. A RIP is not an approval to physically transfer any COMSEC product. A RIP is required prior to any detailed discussions with the foreign nation regarding COMSEC products or associated COMSEC information requirements. RIPs are a means to support requirements definition for proposed solutions to fulfill U.S. secure interoperability requirements.

A combination of one or more weapons with all related equipment, materials, services, personnel, and means of delivery and deployment (if applicable) required for self-sufficiency.

A means of ensuring that Foreign Military Sales customers are aware of and are given the opportunity to plan for and obtain needed support items, training, and services from the USG contractors, or from within the foreign country's resources which are required to introduce and operationally sustain major items of equipment or systems.

Mandated by Section 40A of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) (22 U.S.C. 2785), activities undertaken by the U.S. Government to ensure that defense articles and defense services transferred to foreign partners under security assistance/cooperation authorities are monitored and used according to the terms and conditions specified in Letters of Offer and Acceptance and other transfer agreements, and as required by the AECA or the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

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.

Implementing Agencies’ (IAs) (Military Department organizations and Defense Agencies) response to requests from a foreign government or international organization (partner) for preliminary pricing and availability for international competitions and requests from authorized USG requesting authorities for building partner capacity. Furnishing of this data does not constitute a commitment for the USG to offer for sale the articles and services for which the data is provided.