Funding Request for Containerized Housing Units (CHUs) in

UNCLAS KABUL 003871 DEPARTMENT FOR SRAP, SCA/FO, SCA/A, EUR/RPM STATE PASS TO AID FOR ASIA/SCAA USFOR-A FOR POLAD SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AMGT PGOV AF SUBJECT: Funding Request for Containerized Housing Units (CHUs) in Afghanistan to Support Civilian Uplift in the Field REF: KABUL 3870 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: For coalition-led PRTs, Post is requesting a total of 21 Containerized Housing Units (CHUs) with a total estimated cost of $2.1 million to support the increase of U.S. civilians in Afghanistan. As the civilian uplift progresses, Post may request additional containers at a later date, in particular to support the RC-N and RC-W regional platforms. We may also consider pre-positioning some CHUs at the Mazar and Herat consulate sites for use while the new consulate facilities undergo renovation. Due to the approximately 60-day delay between ordering and delivery of the containers and the onset of winter, Post would appreciate Department's timely consideration and approval of this request. (End Summary) ¶2. (SBU) To accommodate the increase of USG civilians throughout Afghanistan, Embassy Kabul has asked coalition partners to support the deployment of additional U.S. civilians at coalition PRTs and other facilities. In general, coalition partners have responded favorably, indicating a genuine interest in having additional U.S. personnel join their teams (reftel). Many of the coalition-led facilities, however, lack sufficient housing and office space to accommodate additional U.S. personnel. Post therefore proposes to purchase 21 containerized housing units (CHUs) to be used for lodging and office space at these coalition-led facilities. The estimated cost of the containers is approximately $2.1 million, including shipping to Kabul (costs of shipping within Afghanistan will vary by location and road conditions, but are not expected to exceed a few thousand dollars per container). Agency reps at Post agree that this cost will be proportionally distributed between State, USAID and USDA, based on the number of personnel using the containers. ¶3. (SBU) The CHUs usually represent the best possible solution under the circumstances. Coalition partners are reluctant to purchase or build office or living space on their facilities for U.S. civilians without 1) compensation and 2) a formal agreement outlining the terms and modalities of support. For several years, coalition partners have hosted and supported U.S. civilians at coalition-led PRTs without any formal agreement or reimbursement. Some partners present U.S. civilians with monthly bills for lodging, food and other support; we have never paid these bills because of the lack of an MOU or other legal framework. The Germans, Swedes and Spanish are now insisting on concluding "life support" agreements. ¶4. (SBU) Post believes the quickest and most effective approach to concluding such agreements is negotiating individual memoranda of understanding with each partner, since ISAF officials have advised us that a comprehensive agreement with ISAF would involve a lengthy negotiating and approval process. Post has already initiated negotiations, and has shared a draft MOA with all coalition partners and offices in the Department, including L (reftel). ¶5. (SBU) It is important to note that under the MOAs, the USG will be responsible for paying the life support costs of USG personnel on the coalition-led bases, including food, internet connection and housing. We will need to pay for any improvements, building construction or containers needed to accommodate our personnel. It will be faster and more effective to purchase items such as containers ourselves, rather than to ask coalition-led PRTs to procure them and then be reimbursed. This will also ensure that the CHUs meet U.S. standards for life safety and health. Asking partners to procure these items would also add layers to the accounting, needlessly delaying the process and increasing administrative costs for everyone involved. ¶6. (SBU) Due to the approximately 60-day delay between ordering and delivery of the containers, as well as the onset of winter, Post requests Department's timely consideration and approval of this request. As the civilian uplift progresses, Post may request additional containers, especially to support the RC-N and RC-W regional platforms. We may also consider pre-positioning some CHUs at the Mazar and Herat consulate sites for use while the new consulate facilities undergo renovation. MUSSOMELI