Security Assistance; and Logistics - Federation of American Scientists

evised the recommendation to specifically develop a standard FMS case processing timefor Iraq based on wartime and contingency operations conditions.7.a. We recommend that the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, in coordination withthe Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency and Commander, U.S. CentralCommand incorporate a security assistance policy into DoD 5105.38-M, “SecurityAssistance Management Manual,” October 3, 2003, to establish a process for developingcountry or regional case-by-case standard processing times dictated by wartime andcontingency operations conditions. In addition, establish expedited standard processingtimes for Iraq dictated by the wartime and contingency operations conditions.Client CommentsThe Assistant Secretary of Defense, Global Security Affairs, concurred with comment.The Assistant Secretary agreed, in principle, that FMS case processing for wartime andcontingency operations should be expedited Unfortunately, each operation draws fromdifferent funding sources, is granted different authorities, and cannot be a “one size fitsall” solution. In general, accelerated case processing beyond the standard processingtime identified in DoD 5105.38-M requires funding to provide those additional services.DSCA maintains an average of 33 days processing time for FMS case development insupport of operations in Iraq, which is significantly faster than the standard averageprocessing time. DSCA has worked with MNSTC-I, GoI, USCENTCOM, and theImplementing Agencies to establish a case processing standard for Iraq.Our ResponseThe Assistant Secretary’s comments were partially responsive. We commend DSCA, asnoted in the client’s comments, on achieving an average of 33 days processing time forFMS case development in support of operations in Iraq. However, without an establishedexpedited standard processing time for Iraq dictated by the wartime and contingencyoperations conditions, it cannot be determined whether the 33 days processing time issatisfactory or needs improvement. Nevertheless, the client comments indicated thatDSCA is working to establish a case processing standard for Iraq. We request that theASD(GSA) provide the completed case processing standard for Iraq in reply to the finalreport. In addition, we request that the ASD(GSA) provide comments to the revisedrecommendation as it concerns establishing a process for developing country or regionalcase-by-case standard processing times dictated by wartime and contingency operationsconditions.7.b. We recommend that the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy, in coordination withthe Director, Defense Security Cooperation Agency and Commander, U.S. CentralCommand develop a comprehensive plan to provide the necessary personnel support andfunding within the security assistance community to be able to process and implementForeign Military Sales cases at the newly established wartime standard for Iraq.67