The pipeline
The Foreign Military Sales Pipeline
The pipeline runs from stage 0 to stage 9. Pre- engagement, stage 0, is the recommended start and is not required — many cases begin with a . Congressional Notification applies above the statutory thresholds.
Click any stage below to explore what happens, who is involved, and what practitioners watch for.
The Foreign Military Sales process in ten stages, numbered 00 to 09. A divider separates engagement from the case: the Letter of Request starts the case, and the panel under it lists the comment period on an LOR Advisory and the case development standards for Categories A to D. Congressional Notification is the conditional gate, applying only when a case meets an AECA §36(b) threshold; the second panel lists those thresholds and the statutory review period for the two purchaser groups. On the site, each box links to its stage page.
Pre-LOR — Requirements & Engagement
Before the Letter of Request: capability scoping, early pricing, industry marketing, and the Total Package conversation that shapes everything that follows.
Letter of Request Submission
The partner formally submits a Letter of Request — through the U.S. Embassy's Security Cooperation Organization or through its own authorized representatives — triggering the official FMS case process.
LOR Assessment
The Implementing Agency logs the LOR in DSAMS on receipt, then assesses it against the mandatory actionable criteria (SAMM Table C5.T4A). An LOR that falls short is considered insufficient and Requests for Information go to the purchaser; one that meets the criteria is marked LOR Actionable, and LOR Complete once the Table C5.T4B criteria are also met and every Request for Information is answered.
Case Development / LOA Preparation
The Implementing Agency's case manager assembles the Letter of Offer and Acceptance in DSAMS, but the substance comes from the program office: weapon system program managers and item managers define the LOA lines and develop the cost and availability estimates behind them. The case then clears the MILAP milestone and goes to DSCA for writing and approval.
Congressional Notification
For cases at or above statutory thresholds, the proposed sale is notified to Congress for a review period before the LOA may be offered.
LOA Offered
After DSCA's review and approval, the Implementing Agency signs the LOA and sends it to the purchaser. The LOA is now a binding offer with a defined expiration date.
Partner Acceptance
Three elements, all before OED: signed LOA, initial deposit at DFAS, administrative info. Miss any one and the case doesn't implement.
Implementation
DFAS posts Financial Implementation once the initial deposit arrives. The Implementing Agency then processes and issues Obligational Authority — the authority to spend — and the case manager, assigned since case development, guides execution.
Execution
Contracts awarded, articles produced, deliveries made, training delivered — and the follow-on support that keeps the system operating for the rest of its life. The longest-duration stage.
Reconciliation & Closure
Last delivery posts. Case moves Supply Complete → Interim Closed → Final Closed as costs reconcile, ULOs true up, and contractor holdbacks release.
LOR — Letter of Request
SAMM Acronyms, as of 12 September 2026
Letter of Request (LOR)
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.
SAMM Glossary, as of 12 September 2026