Foreign Military Sales Portfolio Director (DSCA)

An agency, under the authority, direction, and control of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy (USD(P)), that directs, administers, and provides DoD-wide guidance to the DoD Components and DoD representatives to U.S. missions abroad for the execution of DoD security assistance and security cooperation programs over which DSCA has responsibility, in accordance with Chapter 32 and Chapter 39 of title 22 U.S.C., DoD Directive (DoDD) 5132.03, other laws, and DoDD 5105.65.

A USG coordinated position of senior U.S. embassy leadership that includes an assessment of a proposed transfer and provides key information necessary for USG evaluation. CTAs can be provided as published cables or dated memos on embassy letterhead and signed by a member of the country team.

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 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.

The senior, in-country, U.S. coordinating and supervising body, headed by the chief of the U.S. diplomatic mission, and composed of the senior member of each represented U.S. department or agency, as desired by the chief of the U.S. diplomatic mission.

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.

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.

A commercial import/export company registered with the Department of State, Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls and under contract to the Foreign Military Sales customer which arranges transportation of materiel from a point specified in the Letter of Offer and Acceptance to the final destination.