REQUEST FOR SOURCE/ORIGIN WAIVER: PROCUREMENT OF SIX

UNCLAS QUITO 000128 SENSITIVE SIPDIS INL/RM TIM BARRY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SNAR SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR SOURCE/ORIGIN WAIVER: PROCUREMENT OF SIX VEHICLES FOR THE ECUADORIAN NATIONAL POLICE SIU/SIPA UNITS ¶1. (SBU) 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) and the Ports and Airports Investigative Unit (SIPA). Cooperating Country: Ecuador Authorizing document: LOA dated August 25, 2009 Project: Sensitive Investigative Unit - SIU and Andean Initiative Program Nature of funding: Sensitive Investigative Unit Funds FY-08 and Andean Initiative Program FY-08 Description of commodity: Foreign-manufactured vehicles Quantity - Two (2) 2010 Chevrolet Aveo Emotion 5 door sedan T/M 1.6L, A/C manual transmission, color yellow Quantity - Two (2) 2010 Toyota Yaris 5 door hatchback/wagon T/M 1.5L, A/C manual transmission Quantity - Two (2) 2010 Nissan Sentra 5 door sedan T/M 1.6L, A/C manual transmission, color yellow Approximate total value: USD 94,500.00 Origin: Special Free World Source: Ecuador Contracting agent: GSO ¶2. (SBU) Discussion: Four of these vehicles will be used for surveillance operations by the National Police Special Investigations Unit (SIU) and two of these vehicles will be used by the Ports and Airports Investigative Unit (SIPA). Both SIU and SIPA are highly effective units of the National Police Anti-Drug Directorate and cooperate closely with DEA's Quito office. For the security of undercover personnel and operations, it is necessary for the SIU and SIPA to use nondescript vehicles that are locally common rather than the more conspicuous and distinctive U.S.-manufactured vehicles. The requested vehicles are a needed fleet expansion. ¶3. (U) 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. (U) Please expedite reply. Thank you. ¶5. (U) Signed: Drew Schufletowski, NAS Director, Narcotics Affairs Section, U.S. Embassy, Quito, Ecuador. HODGES