DEFENSE SECURITY COOPERATION AGENCY  2800 DEFENSE PENTAGON  WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301-2800	1/27/2006

MEMORANDUM FOR :

SEE DISTRIBUTION

SUBJECT :

Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Purchases of Medical Countermeasures, DSCA Policy 06-06 [SAMM E-Change 46]

This memorandum updates the SAMM to provide guidance on the purchase of medical countermeasures. The update includes adding medical countermeasures to the category of what may be purchased under FMS, and also advises the Implementing Agencies on Letter of Request and Letter of Offer and Acceptance submission procedures. The latter is particularly significant in relation to allowing sufficient time for the staffing process with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD).

Effective immediately, the SAMM, Chapters 4 and 5, are updated to include the following information on purchases of medical countermeasures:

1. C4.3.15. Medical Countermeasures. Purchases of medical countermeasures such as drugs, vaccines, and other medical interventions against biological and chemical agents require the approval of the Office of the Secretary of Defense. It is essential that Letters of Request (LORs) for these items be submitted to DSCA as soon as the requirement is known to allow sufficient staffing time. See paragraph C5.1.4.3.4 for additional information on LOR submission.
2. C5.1.4.3.4 LORs for Medical Countermeasures. The Implementing Agency forwards a copy of requests for medical countermeasures to DSCA (Operations Directorate and Strategy Directorate). DSCA (Strategy Directorate) staffs the request with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). Based on OSD's direction, DSCA advises the Implementing Agency on how to respond to the purchaser's LOR. If the decision is to prepare an LOA, the Implementing Agency develops and submits the LOA to DSCA for countersignature. Medical countermeasure LOAs are not eligible for Automated State Department Approval. DSCA forwards the LOA to OSD for further staffing and approval as appropriate. If approved, DSCA countersigns the LOA. If disapproved, DSCA provides the Implementing Agency with instructions on how to respond to the purchaser.
3. Table C5.T9., Automated State Department Approval (ASDA) Eligibility, is revised to add purchases of medical countermeasures to the list of case documents that cannot be processed under ASDA.

This change will be included in the automated version of the SAMM found on the DSCA Web Page as SAMM E-Change 46. If you have questions concerning this policy or the SAMM, please contact Ms. Kathy Robinson, DSCA STR/POL, at (703) 601-4368 or e-mail: kathy.robinson@dsca.mil.

Richard J. Millies
Deputy Director

DISTRIBUTION :

DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
DEFENSE EXPORTS AND COOPERATION (DASA-DEC)
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS (NAVIPO)
DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

DEPUTY UNDER SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS (SAF/IA)
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

DIRECTOR, DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY

DIRECTOR, NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL-INTELLIGENCE AGENCY

DIRECTOR, DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY

DIRECTOR, DEFENSE REUTILIZATION AND MARKETING SERVICE

DIRECTOR, DEFENSE CONTRACT MANAGEMENT AGENCY

DIRECTOR, DEFENSE INFORMATION SYSTEMS AGENCY

DIRECTOR, DEFENSE LOGISTICS INFORMATION SERVICE

DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR INFORMATION ASSURANCE,
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY

DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR SECURITY ASSISTANCE,
DEFENSE FINANCE AND ACCOUNTING SERVICE - DENVER CENTER

CC :

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DISAM
USASAC
SATFA TRADOC
NAVICP
NETSAFA
AFSAC
AFSAT
JFCOM
SOCOM
CENTCOM
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NORTHCOM
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