15 FAM 1000
CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION AND MAJOR REHABILITATION PROJECTS
15 FAM 1010
SCOPE AND POLICY
(CT:OBO-89; 06-25-2019)
(Office of Origin: OBO)
15 FAM 1011 SCOPE AND APPLICABILITY
(CT:OBO-42; 01-02-2014)
The provisions of this subchapter pertain to those aspects
of capital construction and major rehabilitation projects executed by the
Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) that require post support or
action. This subchapter also pertains to U.S. Agency for International
Development (USAID) construction when performed on Department of State-held
land. Subchapter 15
FAM 1020 covers the responsibilities and restrictions related to
construction activities of USAID.
15 FAM 1011.1 Scope
(CT:OBO-42; 01-02-2014)
Construction projects that are within the scope of this
subchapter include any capital construction and major rehabilitation projects;
projects that have elements of classified construction including all work in
controlled access areas (CAA), limited access areas (LAA) or adjacent to these
areas; and any major modifications to the appearance or occupancy use of a
space.
15 FAM 1012 POLICY
15 FAM 1012.1 Identification and
Selection of Projects
(CT:OBO-42; 01-02-2014)
a. OBO plans capital construction and major
rehabilitation projects after consultation with the regional bureaus, Bureau of
Diplomatic Security (DS), posts, and interested agencies, using such criteria
as security; fire and life safety; health and environmental conditions;
building condition; ability to execute; and must-move situations. The
planning for each project is described in the long-range plan, which is updated
annually.
b. Projects in the Capital Security Construction
Program are informed by the Department of States annual Risk Matrix. Regular
capital projects are supported by business cases. Major rehabilitation
projects are informed by an annual priority ranking by the Office of Area
Management, in the Directorate for Operations, OBO (OBO/OPS/AM).
c. With respect to the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA)
spaces, if a major renovation or a move to new quarters is envisioned, CAs
Executive Director (CA/EX) will work with post and OBO to develop a design
conducive to efficient consular operations utilizing established consular
section design guidelines and requirements. (See 7 FAH-1 H-280.)
d. Posts are notified by OBO prior to the commencement
of capital and major rehabilitation projects at the early planning and
development stages or prior to the start of site search for land acquisition.
e. Posts must not incur obligations or make commitments
to landowners, architects, engineers, contractors, or other parties in
connection with proposals and recommendations for major rehabilitation or
capital construction projects without specific prior written authorization from
OBO.
15 FAM 1012.2 Project Planning and
Controlling Change in the Design Development of Diplomatic Facilities
(CT:OBO-89; 06-25-2019)
a. The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations through
the Directorate for Project Development, Coordination, and Support (OBO/PDCS),
manages the project development for new facility construction and major
rehabilitation projects. This function is carried out by a project manager,
certified under the Federal Acquisitions Certification for Project/Program
Managers (FAC P/PM) regulations. The project manager is the contracting
officers representative (COR) during project development. The post and other
interested parties are notified of any project proposed for that post.
Exceptions to these project manager assignments are the physical security
upgrades and forced-entry/ballistic-resistant (FE/BR) repair and replacement
projects that will routinely be managed by the Office of Security Management, in the Directorate for
Construction, Facility, and Security Management, in OBO (OBO/CFSM/SM), unless circumstances dictate PDCS
involvement.
b. The Office of the Director of Management Policy,
Rightsizing, and Innovation (M/PRI) provides rightsizing review staffing projections
used as the basis for staffing requirements for major construction projects.
As staffing requirements change affecting the project scope, post must notify
OBO as early as possible of changes to staffing since the last rightsizing
review. Factors such as where the project is in development, whether a budget
and building size have been set, etc., will determine whether the change can be
incorporated into the project scope, as well as the associated project costs.
In addition, capital security cost sharing charges may be affected.
c. Once the design of a new building or major
rehabilitation has reached the end of the development stage, its location,
appearance, size, configuration, and functions are fixed and the space is
allocated. In addition, at that time, electrical, communications, heating, air
conditioning, and security systems are determined and identified as part of the
overall building layout. Any changes made after this stage and during the
design and construction phases are costly. For this reason, after completion
of the development stage, changes in project design will not be considered
unless there is a major change in requirements or circumstances. Any
subsequent changes that affect scope, schedule, or budget must be approved by
OBO and may require a Congressional notification.
15 FAM 1012.3 Construction
Security
(CT:OBO-42; 01-02-2014)
a. Under Section 160 of the Foreign Relations
Authorization Acts for FY 1988 and 1989, as amended, and 12 FAM 360, the
Department of State must certify project security to Congress, or confirm it
internally. This certification must occur before undertaking any new
construction or renovation projects in a facility abroad that is intended for
the storage of classified material or the conduct of classified activities when
such projects affect controlled access area (CAA) space or public access
controls (PACs). For all new office buildings and other projects costing $1
million or more, the Secretary must certify to Congress the security of the
project, before and after construction, and prepare plans to evaluate and
maintain security. For projects costing less than $1 million but more than
$100,000, the Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security or designee is
required to confirm the project security (see 12 FAM 362).
b. The proponent of a project (post, Department of
State organization, or tenant agency) must provide the Office of Security
Management, in the Directorate for Construction, Facility, and Security
Management, in OBO (OBO/CFSM/SM), or Office of Special Projects and
Coordination, in the Directorate for Project Development, Coordination, and
Support, in OBO (OBO/PDCS/SPC), depending upon geographical project location,
with complete project information. After assembling this information, OBO/CFSM/SM,
or OBO/PDCS/SPC, will provide the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) with a
construction security plan (CSP), and DS will initiate the certification or
confirmation process if required. No new construction or renovations requiring
either certification or confirmation are permitted to take place until
appropriate project approval is obtained from DS (see 12 FAM 361).
15 FAM 1012.4 Construction
Management
(CT:OBO-42; 01-02-2014)
a. OBO assigns a full-time, onsite project director
(PD) and technical support staff for capital construction and major
rehabilitation projects from the Office of Construction Management, in the
Directorate for Construction, Facility, and Security Management, in OBO
(OBO/CFSM/CM), or OBO/PDCS/SPC, depending upon the project location. The PD is
responsible for the construction management and engineering oversight of the
project and is the contracting officers representative (COR). The Office of
the Procurement Executive in the Bureau of Administration (A/OPE) may appoint the
PD as an administrative contracting officer (with defined limits) and send the
warrant appointment certificate to post explaining the extent of the PDs
authority. The PD will coordinate all communications between the post and OBO
that relate to the project.
b. A/OPE may give authority to the PD to execute change
orders for modifications to assigned Department of State construction
contracts. This authority will be provided in writing, and will include the
specific limits determined by the Department of State. The contract
modification limitations, which are unique to each project, may not be used to
change the scope or design intent of the contract.
c. Small construction projects, physical security
upgrades, and FE/BR repair and replacement projects may be managed by an
assigned PD, but may also be managed regionally from another large OBO project
nearby, or managed by a construction executive from Washington, DC in
OBO/CFSM/CM.
15 FAM 1013 POST ADMINISTRATIVE
RESPONSIBILITIES
15 FAM 1013.1 Project Development
(CT:OBO-42; 01-02-2014)
a. The Project Manager, Office of Project Development
and Coordination, OBO/PDCS/PDC, or OBO/PDCS/SPC, may request post support
during the project development phase. Post support may include: providing
data and other input concerning local customs, business practices, etc.;
arranging meeting places; assisting with travel arrangements; and participating
in project development meetings and workshops (both at post and in Washington,
DC). Post may be requested to assist and participate during project
development (i.e., site acquisition; space programming; design; projection of
the ongoing costs of maintaining new facilities including materials, utilities,
and maintenance staffing; and construction phasing).
b. For small construction projects such as security
upgrades and FE/BR product replacements, the post will be involved in the
design development and project execution. Individual post roles and
responsibilities will be defined and agreed upon at the pre-construction conference.
15 FAM 1013.2 Contract Acquisition
(CT:OBO-81; 04-15-2019)
a. Post may be requested to provide local assistance
during the procurement phase of a project. This support may include local
advertising; setting up meetings with local authorities and contractors;
arranging for meeting space; assisting with travel arrangements; and other
items. The RSO may be asked for assistance with security-related issues, such
as perimeter access control and security background checks.
b. No post official has the authority to modify
contracts awarded by the Office of Acquisitions Management in the Bureau of
Administration (A/OPE/AQM) for OBO projects.
15 FAM 1013.3 Construction
(CT:OBO-68; 04-03-2018)
a. The costs of U.S. citizen employees assigned abroad
in support of an OBO project, including regular salary, differential, benefits,
housing, and post assignment transfer costs, are funded domestically by OBO.
OBO issues allotments to post to cover premium compensation (see 3 FAM 3130),
educational allowances, and local costs such as housing and related costs,
travel, supplies and materials, consultant fees, and the salaries and benefits
of locally hired employees or personal services contractors.
b. If required, OBO will provide vehicles for the
project director (PD) and PD staff. This requirement will be satisfied either
by sending funds to the PD for the local procurement of vehicles, or by
transferring vehicles from the continental United States or another project
abroad. CFSM will ensure that the provided vehicles are added to the
Integrated Logistics Management System (ILMS.) The vehicles are for the
exclusive use of the PD and PD staff for official travel during their
assignment to the project for their 24-hour response to the job site. These
vehicles will belong to OBO and may not be included in the post motor pool.
However, all business use and other authorized use is subject to chief of
mission guidance under 14 FAM 430.
c. Except under exceptional circumstances, ICASS is
the service provider of choice for the PD and PD staff. (See the ICASS
Handbook, 6
FAH-5 H-411.2, covering the treatment of distinctive costs for OBO PDs and
other related project personnel.) The PD and PDs U.S.-hired staff are usually
assigned to short-term lease (STL) quarters (commensurate with their grades and
family sizes) and provided furniture, furnishings, appliances, and equipment
(FFA&E) for residences, both funded out of OBO project supervision funds.
Selection of housing for the PD and PD staff will be consistent with 15 FAM 200,
15 FAM 300, and the post housing policy.
15 fam 1014 through 1019 unassigned