The Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) has shortlisted ten design firms for the Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) solicitation for Architecture/Engineering (A/E) services for special new construction and modernization projects at U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide. The shortlisted firms are:

AECOM
Beyer Blinder Belle
Ennead Architects
EYP
HOK
KCCT
The Miller Hull Partnership
Moore Ruble Yudell
Morphosis Architects
Richard+Bauer Architecture

OBO received 19 qualified submissions for this IDIQ solicitation and only A/E firms possessing a final Secret Facility Clearance were eligible to respond. The shortlisted firms demonstrated an appropriate range of portfolio complexity, provided notable design solutions that responded to the solicitation, expertly managed client expectations and relations, and asserted a high level of industry recognition.

The shortlisted firms will present their capabilities in an interview with OBO. Scores from the initial qualifications submissions will be combined with the interview phase and firms with the highest combined scores will be recommended for contract award.

OBO’s mission is to provide safe, secure, and functional facilities that represent the U.S. government to host nations and support our staff in the achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. These facilities represent American values and the best in American architecture, engineering, technology, sustainability, art, culture, and construction execution.

For further information please contact Christine Foushee at FousheeCT@state.gov, or visit https://overseasbuildings.state.gov/.

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The Department of State is pleased to once again participate in Flintlock, U.S. Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) annual and largest Special Operations Forces exercise. Flintlock exercises have taken place regularly since 2005 with partner nations from the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership (TSCTP) and are planned by African partner nation special operations forces; Special Operations Command, Africa (SOCAFRICA); and the U.S. Department of State. Approximately 1,900 service members from 20 African and Western partner nations will participate in Flintlock at multiple locations in Niger, Burkina Faso, and Senegal from April 9-20, 2018.

The largest civilian component to Flintlock 2018 is the law enforcement training and equipment provided under the Department of State’s Antiterrorism Assistance (ATA) program. Through a partnership with the ATA program, this year’s exercise marks the most thorough integration of civilian equities into Flintlock yet. The law enforcement component will build upon the cross-border counterterrorism communication, coordination, and response at the strategic, operational, and tactical levels between military and civilian law enforcement to counter terrorist threats and attacks. In general, the law enforcement integration into Flintlock provides a series of training sessions focusing on tactical rural patrol and crisis response capabilities, counterterrorism investigations, command and communication management, post blast and crime scene investigations, community engagement, and human rights. The State Department will also integrate rule of law engagement and humanitarian border management training into components of the exercise.

The State Department is proud to be part of this exercise and values this opportunity for information sharing and integration of civilian law enforcement with the military to increase security sector and multinational interoperability and cooperation in the fight against terrorism and terrorist organizations.

Participating African nations include Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, and Senegal. Western partners include Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

For further information, contact the Bureau of African Affairs at AF-Press@state.gov.

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On behalf of the United States, I wish all Roma everywhere a happy International Roma Day.

On April 8, we celebrate the Romani people, their rich cultural heritage, and worldwide societal contributions. We are proud to recognize the over one million Americans of Romani descent who have helped to shape our great nation.

To commemorate this day, the United States reaffirms our commitment to the equal treatment of all Roma people so they can be free to build the best future for themselves and their families, in dignity, wherever they call home.

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The United States is deeply troubled that a Vietnamese court has convicted and sentenced peaceful activists Nguyen Van Dai, Le Thu Ha, Pham Van Troi, Nguyen Trung Ton, Nguyen Bac Truyen and Truong Minh Duc to harsh prison sentences under the vague charge of “activities aimed at overthrowing the people’s administration.” We note with concern that Vietnamese authorities held Nguyen Van Dai and Le Thu Ha in pre-trial detention for over two years.

Individuals have the right to the fundamental freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly, both online and offline. The United States is deeply concerned by the Vietnamese government’s efforts to restrict these rights, through a disturbing trend of increased arrests, convictions, and harsh sentences of peaceful activists.

The United States calls on Vietnam to release all prisoners of conscience immediately, and to allow all individuals in Vietnam to express their views freely and assemble peacefully without fear of retribution.

We also urge the Vietnamese government to ensure its actions and laws, including the Penal Code, are consistent with the human rights provisions of Vietnam’s Constitution, and Vietnam’s international obligations and commitments.

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The below is attributable to Spokesperson Heather Nauert:‎

Acting Secretary of State John J. Sullivan met today with Chinese Ambassador Cui Tiankai at the State Department. Acting Secretary Sullivan and Ambassador Cui agreed on the importance of pursuing a constructive U.S.-China relationship that produces meaningful results and reaffirmed the commitment of the United States and China to the complete, verifiable, and irreversible denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The Acting Secretary reiterated the need to restore fairness and balance to our economic ties. The two also agreed to remain in close communication on these and other bilateral, regional, and global issues of mutual concern.

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