15 FAM 470
New embassy/CONSULATE SITE selection
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
(Office of Origin: OBO)
15 FAM 471 Goals in the site selection
process
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
The site and location of an embassy or consulate has
practical as well as symbolic implications. The Department of State is
committed to selecting sites for new embassies and consulates that ensure the
safety of the mission enhance the conduct of diplomacy, and best represent the
U.S. Government and American values. The aim of the site selection process is
to identify at least one viable site for recommendation as a preferred site and
one as a back-up site.
15 FAM 471.1 Advance Diplomacy with
Location
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
The site selection process is an opportunity to advance
U.S. diplomatic goals, and express representational values in the future
diplomatic facility. Attributes of the preferred location include:
(1) Considering American values in promoting a sense
of openness, accessibility, and transparency through location;
(2) Proximity to key host-government facilities,
embassies of other countries, and businesses and cultural centers; and
(3) An urban setting that provides connectivity to
public transportation and infrastructure, making the mission accessible to
visitors and clients.
15 FAM 471.2 Meet Operational Objectives
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
The best sites successfully meet operational requirements
to support all aspects of the diplomatic mission. Preferred functional values
of the new site include:
(1) Accommodating all functional requirements in one
location with potential for growth;
(2) Roadway adjacencies and site geometry that allow
for clear separation of embassy and consular functions, public circulation from
employee and service flows, and future expansion;
(3) Proximity to existing or planned housing of
employees, and existing or planned support facilities of the post; and
(4) Sustainable design strategies promoting energy and
water efficiency and lowering the long-term cost of ownership.
15 FAM 471.2 Consider Security Measures
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
The site selection for a new embassy or a consulate is a
critical step in establishing a successful security program for the facility.
The physical characteristics and location of a site impact its overall
security. See updated 12 FAM 316 for a
list of security criteria in the site selection process.
15 FAM 472 site selection acquisition
is a multi-step Process
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
Sites are selected for acquisition through a multi-step
process to ensure compliance with the goals of 15 FAM 471. The
following general milestones in the site selection process ensure that the
selected site delivers the best option to the U.S. Government in meeting
security, representational, and functional goals.
15 FAM 472.1 Establish Preferred
Areas and Neighborhoods
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
In the site selection search, the Bureau of Overseas
Buildings Operations (OBO) and post establish preferred areas and neighborhoods
in the city, as the initial step of the site selection process and integrate
overall security concerns in the search for potential sites and in the
selection process.
15 FAM 472.2 Pre-screen Initial
Sites
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) and the
Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) inspect potential sites for compliance with
general planning and security criteria.
15 FAM 472.3 Conduct
Multi-disciplinary Site Evaluation Using Consistent Evaluation Criteria
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
To ensure an objective and consistent evaluation of
selected sites, an OBO site evaluation team, in collaboration with
representatives of the post, DS, and other stakeholders, assesses the
characteristics of all viable sites based on the following criteria:
Location
Development
Security
Communications
Planning/Zoning
Environmental attributes and liabilities (to include seismic
vulnerabilities)
Acquisition management
15 FAM 472.4 Assess Site
Performance During Due Diligence
(CT:OBO-36; 10-31-2013)
The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) develops
detailed site utilization plans for selected site(s). DS reviews site
utilization plans for compliance with security considerations.
15 FAM 473 through 479 unassigned