NEXT STEPS TO USE THE GSA ANNEX AS OFFICES FOR

UNCLAS RIYADH 000830 SIPDIS DEPT FOR NEA/EX, NEA/ARP, DS, DS/IP, DS/IP/NEA, DS/C/PSD, OBO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC ABLD ENRG EPET MARR MCAP MOPS SA SUBJECT: NEXT STEPS TO USE THE GSA ANNEX AS OFFICES FOR OPM-MOI REF: A. A) 2000 STATE 082682 ¶B. B) 12 FAH 5 ¶C. C) 12 FAH 6 ¶1. (SBU) Summary and Action Requested: Embassy plans to renovate a building in the GSO Annex for use as office space for the Office of Program Management-Ministry of the Interior (OPM-MOI). The Saudi Arabian Ministry of the Interior (MOI) is prepared to fund this project. Embassy requests a cost estimate for a team from the Department to prepare a scope of work, specifications and cost estimate for the renovation and equipping of this building for use by OPM-MOI. End Summary and Action Requested. ¶2. (SBU) The MOI, OPM-MOI and Embassy believe that the best way forward to provide the office space needed for all of the growing interagency elements of OPM-MOI is to renovate and equip one of the buildings at the GSO Annex. An April visit by a DS team pointed to the viability of this building at the Annex for this purpose and the MOI has indicated that it is prepared to fund it. This location offers ample setbacks and, with some improvements, could provide a safe and convenient office facility where all elements of OPM-MOI could be located. Co-location of all agencies' personnel will allow for shared support services, economical operation, more effective coordination, and enhanced teamwork and cohesiveness. ¶3. (SBU) The DC team that visited in April reviewed basic security parameters and found that this facility could prove a viable interim location for OPM-MOI until the planned permanent housing and office facilities in the Riyadh diplomatic quarter (DQ) were constructed by MOI. We now need to develop a specific scope of work, specifications for modifications needed, and a price for the overall renovation/equipping work that we can present to MOI for consideration. Embassy therefore requests that NEA/EX work with DC and OBO to send a small team to Riyadh as soon as possible to develop a specific proposal with a price estimate. It is recommended the DS team members be prepared to ensure that all physical security requirements are met for offsite office space and/or recommendation for waivers are addressed during the team's visit. Embassy Riyadh believes a collocation waiver will be required for this office space and has begun the steps necessary to move forward in accordance with 200 State 082682 (REFTEL A),12 FAH 5 (REFTEL B) and 12 FAH 6 (REFTEL C). ¶4. (SBU) ACTION REQUESTED: As a preliminary step, as MOI is paying the bill for the project, we need an "estimate of the cost of developing an estimate." We need to be able to tell MOI what the cost is of sending a team and the work that will need to be done in Washington to prepare the specifications and cost esitmates for the renovation project itslf. Once we gain final MOI approval, we will either do a project specific agreement under the Technical Cooperation Agreement or find another mechanism to make MOI funds available to finance this work. Please advise the cost of preparing scope of work, specifications and estimated cost of this project. ERDMAN