15 FAM 720
Residential Furnishings
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
(Office of Origin: OBO)
15 FAM 721 POLICY
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
The U.S. Government provides furniture, furnishings,
appliances, and equipment (FFA&E) as determined by post, for U.S.
Government-held residences. 6 FAH-5 H-510
outlines the guidance on managing government-provided residential FFA&E.
15 FAM 722 Funding
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
a. Regional bureau ICASS funds provide FFA&E for
all agencies in the consolidated furniture and appliance pool (FAP) program. (For
details, see 6
FAH-5 H-510).
b. For Marine Security guard (MSG) residences, see 15 FAM 726,
Marine Security Guards Residences, and 12 FAM 430,
Marine Security Guard Program.
c. OBOs Office of Residential Design &
Furnishings funds specific FF&E for designated representational residences,
as outlined in 15
FAM 730.
NOTE: FF&E refers
specifically to provisions from OBO. FFA&E refers to provisions from
ICASS.
d. FF&E funding for capital construction projects
is subject to the Capital Security Cost Sharing (CSCS) agreement between the
Department and affected agencies, but is typically included in the project
funds. OBOs project-funded FF&E becomes the property of posts FAP
program and must be entered in ILMS. If procurement documents are not
available, post must enter the catalog price for each item and the estimated
shipping cost. Post is responsible for the repair/replacement of these items.
15 FAM 723 Provision of Furniture,
Furnishings, and Equipment(FF&E)
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
a. Designated residences:
OBO/OPS/RDF manages and funds the provision of specific FF&E for all
designated properties, as outlined in 15 FAM 730.
b. Furnished housing pool: For
subscribers to post furnished housing pools, 6 FAH-5 H-510
contains detailed guidance. 6 FAH-5
H-513.2-2 outlines information on items that may be provided. An agency's
initial buy-in to the FAP is a direct charge to the agency; ongoing annual
costs are included in the agency's ICASS invoice.
c. Special requirements for television
and related equipment: In principle, the U.S. Government does not fund
the purchase or installation of televisions (TV) and related equipment intended
for personal use (such as satellite dishes, receivers, decoders, etc.), except
in the circumstances described herein. This type of equipment is not
considered a "necessary expense," and appropriated funds may not be
used for this purpose. Access to internet, cable, or satellite services is
considered a personal choice, and the installation, maintenance, and actual
service cost is a personal expense.
d. Designated residences: The
regional bureau approves and funds specialized media equipment for the CMRs or
DCRs family quarters in OBO-furnished properties (such as television, DVD
player, satellite dish, decoder, etc.). This is so employees can monitor local
and international news; see 3 FAM 3255.4.
In ILMS, designate ownership of such equipment as State-Program. OBO/RDF is
responsible for funding similar equipment for designated residences; categorize
this equipment in ILMS as OBO/RDF'; see 15 FAM 732.
e. Department of State Public Diplomacy officers: The public affairs officer may
authorize the provision of specialized media equipment (televisions, DVD
players, satellite dishes, decoders, etc.) to employees whose positions require
the monitoring of local and international programming. The Public Diplomacy
program allotment funds the purchase, installation and ongoing
maintenance/repair of all items that are provided. Ownership of such equipment
must be reflected in ILMS as State-PD.
f. Multi-media equipment for all other
staff: Posts may not use U.S. Government funds to provide satellite
dishes and related equipment for other employees in the mission. It is
recommended that posts work with their employee association to provide this
service (including the purchase of satellite dishes, decoders, and other
equipment), and charge employees an appropriate fee. Posts may loan a
television and DVD player until the employee's HHE arrives; see 6 FAH-5 H-514,
paragraph d.
15 FAM 724 Quarters for Household Staff
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
a. The Department and USAID do not routinely provide
funds for FF&E for official residence expenses (ORE) for household staff.
However, given that most designated properties include staff quarters with
work/break rooms, post becomes responsible for furnishing these areas. Post
must submit requests for needed items to the regional bureau for review and
approval; see 6 FAH-5
H-512.3-1, subparagraph f(1)(f). For USAID, requests should be submitted
to USAID headquarters. No ICASS funds may be used for this requirement.
b. If a kitchen for official household staff is part of
the construction for a new representational residence, OBO will fund floor
covering costs and large appliances with project funds.
15 FAM 725 Living Quarters Allowance
(LQA) Residences
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
a. Posts with employees on Living Quarters Allowance
(LQA) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) may consider establishing an
appliance pool for these employees if provision of household appliances is
appropriate and cost-effective. Each post should establish a buy-in and annual
assessment cost. (See 6 FAH-5
H-512.4, subparagraph c(3).)
b. If an appliance pool is not available, but the
agency wishes to fund the purchase, installation, and removal of household
appliances for its employees, these costs are charged directly to the employing
agency.
15 FAM 726 Marine security guard (MSG)
REsidences
15 FAM 726.1 Consolidated Quarters
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
The Department of State provides appropriate housing for
the Marine Security guard (MSG) detachment, as outlined in 15 FAM 248, and
the most current Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between the Department and the
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). The MOA gives specific details on provided FF&E
and the appropriate funding source; see 12 FAM Exhibit
431(B).
15 FAM 726.2 Separate Quarters
(CT:OBO-64; 03-23-2018)
At all furnished posts, MSG personnel with separate
quarters subscribe to posts furniture and appliance pool (FAP) program and
receive the same FFA&E as other employees in the housing pool; see 6 FAH-5
H-512.5, subparagraph e(5).
15 FAM 727 THROUGH 729 unassigned