OVERSEAS SCHOOL SECURITY - PHASE II

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000509 SIPDIS FOR DS/PSD/PCB, OBO/PE/SM, A/OPR/OS AND DS/IP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ASCH AFIN ABUD SUBJECT: OVERSEAS SCHOOL SECURITY - PHASE II REF: A) STATE 318171 B) PRAGUE 2357 C) FEDERAL ASSISTANCE AWARD S-OPROS-04-GR-088 ¶1. In response to ref A, which launched phase II of the Overseas School Security Program, ref B described what we assess as the major vulnerability of the International School of Prague to a terrorist attack - the lack of access controls, particularly vehicle access, to a large parking lot adjacent to the main classroom building. ¶2. We initially proposed a series of concrete planters to be placed along the parking lot boundary to provide setback to the main classroom building. The school obtained a bid from a local contractor for approximately 100 large concrete planters and two manually operated drop arms in the amount of $32,000. That amount was approved by A/OPR/OS via Federal Assistance Award S-OPROS-04-GR-088. ¶3. The school has subsequently contracted with an architectural and engineering firm to study the problem further. The A&E firm has come up with a design that will give the school control over the parking lot in a more aesthetically pleasing manner than 100 planters. RSO concurs with this proposal. ¶4. Vehicles currently enter the school property through a gate adjacent to a guard booth and proceed around the parking lot in a counter-clockwise direction, exiting through a gate on the opposite side of the guard booth. The guard booth is staffed by a guard hired by the school. ¶5. The new proposal is to install a mechanical drop arm at both the vehicle entrance and exits in conjunction with three pop-up bollards which, with strategically placed planters, would form a vehicle sally-port, giving the school the capability to inspect vehicles/occupants before allowing entry. The pop-up bollards could also be used in case of emergency or during periods of heightened threat. The guard posted in the guard booth would have control. Per the provisions of STATE 11945, paragraph 3(b),the school agrees to assume responsibility for maintenance of the drop arms and pop-up bollards. ¶6. The school has obtained quotes for this revised system as follows: --Two (2) mechanical drop arms ........ $ 8,500 --Electrically controlled bollards ......14,000 --Planters ............................ 8,100 --Labor, excavation, materials ......... 15,500 --VAT (19%) ............................ 8,800 --Total ............................... $54,900 ¶7. Please advise if increased funding in the amount of $22,900 is available for this revised plan. HILLAS