Request for Source/Origin Waiver: Procurement of Four

UNCLAS QUITO 001012 SIPDIS STATE FOR INL/RM TIM HENDERSON, TIM BARRY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR AMGT KCRM SUBJECT: Request for Source/Origin Waiver: Procurement of Four Vehicles for the Ecuadorian National Police SIU Unit ¶1. Issue: Post requests a source origin waiver from geographic code 000 (United States only) to geographic code 935 (Special Free World) to permit the procurement of vehicles in the Host Country local market for operational use by the Ecuadorian National Police's Sensitive Investigative Unit (SIU). Cooperating Country: Ecuador Authorizing document: LOA dated August 21, 2009 Project: Sensitive Investigative Unit - SIU Nature of funding: Sensitive Investigative Unit Funds FY-08 Description of commodity: Foreign-manufactured vehicles Quantity - 4 2010 Chevrolet Aveo Emotion, 4 door sedan, T/M 1.6L, A/C, manual transmission Approximate total value: USD 66,000.00 Origin: Special Free World Source: Ecuador Contracting agent: GSO ¶2. Discussion: These vehicles will be used for surveillance operations by the National Police Special Investigations Unit. The SIU is a highly effective unit of the National Police's Anti-Drug Directorate and cooperates closely with DEA Quito office. For the security of undercover personnel and operations, it is necessary for the SIU to use nondescript vehicles that are locally common rather than the more conspicuous and distinctive U.S.-manufactures vehicles. The requested vehicles are a needed fleet expansion. ¶3. Recommendation: For the reasons stated above, we recommend approval of this request for a source/origin waiver to permit acquisition of these project vehicles in Ecuador. ¶4. Please expedite reply. Thank you. ¶5. Signed: Drew Schufletowski, NAS Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Quito, Ecuador. HODGES HODGES