USNATO GUIDANCE: NEW NATO HEADQUARTERS PROJECT

UNCLAS STATE 066663 SENSITIVE SIPDIS USNATO FOR JOHN HEFFERN AND GERALD HANISH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV NATO AFIN ABUD AMGT SUBJECT: USNATO GUIDANCE: NEW NATO HEADQUARTERS PROJECT REF: A. USNATO 251 ¶B. 2007 STATE 98725 (AND PREVIOUS) SENSTIVE BUT UNCLASSFIED; NOT FOR INTERNET DISTRIBUTION ¶1. (SBU) Washington has reviewed reftel, concurs with the request for guidance, and authorizes USNATO to join consensus on NATO document DPRHQB-N(2009)2006. This authority to proceed is the second and final step of a two-step authorization process, modeled on NATO Security Investment Program (NSIP) procedures, for the new NATO Headquarters project (NATO 1). This final authority-to-proceed with the project's construction will allow NATO to put the contract out for immediate bid, with contract award expected early next year. USNATO should continue to urge cost efficiencies and controls to be exercised fully for the duration of this project. If any delegation breaks silence on this decision, USNATO should seek further instructions from Washington. CLINTON