REQUEST TO INCREASE LOCAL GUARD COVERAGE - US

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 BRIDGETOWN 000198 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS FOR DS/IP/OPO/FPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ABUD ASUP AFIN GJ BB XL SUBJECT: REQUEST TO INCREASE LOCAL GUARD COVERAGE - US EMBASSY, GRENADA REF: A. DS/IP/OPO/FPD e-mail dated 01/25/2006 ¶B. 12 FAH-6 H-112.3 ¶1. (SBU) Post requests authorization to increase the coverage of an existing local guard position at the U.S. embassy in Grenada by 15.5 hours. US MISSION - GRENADA ¶2. (SBU) AmEmbassy Grenada is an unclassified lock and leave stand-alone facility. The embassy compound has two (2) vehicle entrance gates and two vehicle anti-ram barriers. The front gate/barrier is used exclusively for regular employee and visitor vehicular access. CONTRACT SOLICITATION ¶3. (U) Guard services for Grenada are currently being paid by purchase orders. Post is preparing a contract solicitation to convert from purchase order to a local guard contract. EXISTING GUARD COVERAGE ¶4. The US mission in Grenada currently employs the following local guard posts: --A) Embassy compound - 24hrs/7days --B) Embassy compound - 8.5hrs/5days --C) Official residence - 24hrs/7days OSPB LOCAL GUARD STANDARDS ¶5. (SBU) Post interprets the Overseas Security Policy Board (OSPB) regulations (ref. B),as requiring local guard coverage for the embassy compound in Grenada as follows: --A) Two 8hrs/5days guard posts at each public entrance (pedestrian and vehicle)(12 FAH-6 H-112.3.c). --B) One 12hrs/7days foot patrol of perimeter (12 FAH- 6 H-112.3.d). --C) One 24hrs/7days guard position for visitor control during peak access hours at official facilities (12 FAH-6 H-112.3.e) and after regular duty hours for the chancery (12 FAH-6 H-112.3.g). --D) One 24hrs/7days guard position at POR due to the guard being required to operate access control devices (12 FAH-6 H-112.3.i). ¶6. (SBU) In order to meet the OSPB standards (as we interpret),post would require additional funding in the amount of US $38,545. POST's ASSESSMENT ¶7. (SBU) During embassy business hours, Post believes adequate local guard coverage exists to perform vehicle and pedestrian screening, compound roving patrol and response capability to handle emergency situations, including visitors to the consular lobby. ¶8. (SBU) However, during non-business hours, the embassy compound local guard coverage is reduced to one guard. That guard cannot respond to after-hour incidents, conduct roving foot patrols, and screen vehicles entering the compound without , leaving the main guard booth controls unattended. Post does not consider this to be adequate coverage. RISK MANAGEMENT ¶9. (SBU) In order to provide adequate after-hours local guard coverage at the chancery, Post recommends increasing the existing daytime chancery guard from 8hrs/5days to 24hrs/7days. The increase of 15.5 hours for this position would require an increase of approximately US $36,750. ACTION REQUESTED ¶10. (SBU) Post requests DS/IP/OPO/FPD authorize an increase of hours for the second embassy compound local guard position from 5/8.5 to 24/7. BRIDGETOWN 00000198 002 OF 002 ¶11. (SBU) If authorized, post estimates the increase in coverage for this guard position will be US$36,700. KRAMER