Annex_2_Security.pdf

Annex 4: MCC Tunisia Contractor Security Guidance

MEMORANDUM

To: Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Contractors

From: Oliver Pierson, Tunisia Country Director

Douglas Fairfield, Managing Director Domestic and International Security

Subject: MCC Tunisia Contractor Security Guidance

Annexes: (1) Pre-Travel Security Briefing Materials

(2) Tunisia Travel Request Form

(3) Missing Persons Information Card

Purpose.

The purpose of this memorandum is to provide security guidance to Millennium Challenge

Corporation (MCC) contractors and sub-contractors operating and traveling in Tunisia (hereafter referred to as contractors or “required personnel”). MCC expects all contractors to demonstrate security awareness, preparation, and planning for all travel to Tunisia, both within the city of Tunis and outside Tunis.

Contractors are contractually responsible for assuring the security of their own employees. Any precautions, programs, or security plan of any MCC contractor must, at a minimum, meet the requirements of this security guidance. However, this security guidance is not intended to in any way be a substitute for any contractor’s own risk analysis or to otherwise relieve any contractor of any applicable contractual and regulatory responsibilities and requirements for security.

Tunisia Security Overview.

Tunisia has undergone a peaceful transition to democracy following a major revolution that took place in January 2011. However, social and economic issues, and the threat from militancy could affect political stability.

Tunisia’s border regions with Libya and Algeria, including Chaambi Mountain National Park, are prone to security incidents involving armed militants. Border crossings to these two countries can be closed with little to no notice. Most visits to coastal resorts are generally free of difficulties.

However, petty crime and theft do occur frequently. Additionally, terrorist attacks have occurred in the past terrorist activity remains a threat.

Based on the aforementioned threats, and to help ensure the health and safety of personnel working in support in MCC activities, MCC contractors and sub-contractors are required to incorporate security protocols into their operation plans.

Contractor Security Plan Requirement.

Contractors operating in Tunisia will develop an MCC-approved security plan for their personnel traveling to and working within Tunisia. The Contractor will submit the security plans for review and approval to the

MCC Tunisia Country Director and Domestic and International Security (DIS) Managing Director at least one week prior to any travel to Tunisia in connection with any MCC- funded work. To be clear, a security plan must be submitted prior to each trip to Tunisia involving any non-Tunisian citizens.

In cases in which contractors are individual consultants working directly with MCC government employees, it is encouraged that they travel and conduct their work in Tunisia while accompanied with the MCC government employee and included in the government employee’s trip plan. When traveling with and incorporated in MCC government employee trip plans, a separate contractor security plan is not required.

However, individual consultants are still required to follow the Security Plan Pre-Departure Requirements

(training, briefing, and proof of evacuation insurance), Travel Operational Requirements, and Non-

Emergency Travel Restrictions outlined below.

The contractor Security Plan will include essential information on the risks, roles and responsibilities, training requirements, emergency communications protocols, emergency medical protocols, and risk mitigation guidance that is consistent with the contents of this guidance. The Security Plan will incorporate following constraints and requirements for traveling in Tunisia:

1. Security Plan Pre-Departure Requirements.

Note: These requirements must be completed prior to the contractor’s first trip to Tunisia under MCC funding, and on an annual basis thereafter as needed based on contract duration.

a. Security Training. Prior to departure, all required personnel will complete personnel security training. The training may be provided through internal contractor resources or a designated external service provider. While not required, contractors are highly encouraged to register for the

US State Department’s online training: HT 401 High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS) or similar program. Your Contracting Officer’s Representative or Project Monitor can provide information on how to sign up for the HTSOS training as needed. At a minimum, the training must include information on the requirements set forth in this security guidance, a security briefing, and emergency communications protocols.

b. Pre-travel security briefings. Briefings will include a review of materials found in the most recent

State Department Travel Alerts and Advisories and country-specific threat briefing documents.

Upon completion of the pre-travel security briefing, individual contractors will send an acknowledgement of briefing completion to the MCC Country Director. Review of the security briefing documents and sending the acknowledgement form is required for all independent consultants and may be used by other contractors as part of their security plans.

See Annex One for details.

c. Medical Information. Prior to departure, contractors must obtain and send the MCC Tunisia Country

Director and DIS International Security Specialist proof of emergency evacuation insurance via email for all non-Tunisian citizens participating in any MCC-funded work. In event of sickness or injury, contractors are advised that they are responsible for covering the cost of all medical services incurred in Tunisia or elsewhere through cash payment or through their own private medical insurance. The U.S. Embassy medical clinic services are not available for contractors or others that are not under Chief of Mission Authority.

d. Missing Persons Information Card. The contractor must complete the MPIC (see Annex 3) and send it to the MCC Tunisia Country Director prior to travel to Tunisia for all employees and sub-contractors. This requirement is applicable for Tunisian citizens who will be traveling outside of Tunis for any MCC-funded work.

2. Security Plan Travel Operational Requirements.

Note: These requirements must be completed prior to and during each trip the Contractor is proposing to make outside Tunis.

a. Travel Request Form. Any non-emergency travel outside Tunis to other than pre- approved locations must be approved by the MCC Tunisia Country Director on case-by- case basis. (Pre-approved locations are identified in 3.A. below). Travel must be requested at least five days prior to travel date via the Travel Request Form. The Travel Request form is at the second attachment. MCC review of the request will include consultation with relevant security officials, from whom MCC may provide guidance as needed based on any evolving security threats or other risks. Team leaders for each trip should review and ensure understanding by all travel participants.

b. Communications. Required personnel will use cellular and satellite phones during all trips outside Tunis. MCC recommends that the contractors obtain tracking software for their phones, or purchase a tracking device available to private industry.

c. Personal Tracking Locators (PTLs). Note that contractors may be instructed by MCC to carry a Personal Tracking Locator (PTLs). The Security Plan should address responsibilities among team members for possessing and storing PTLs.

d. Two Vehicle Integrity. Required personnel will use two vehicle integrity, with enough space to accommodate all passengers if one vehicle is disabled. Each vehicle shall be equipped with a first aid kit, functioning spare tire, full fuel cans and maps of areas to be travelled.

e. Daily Check-Ins. While outside of Tunis, required personnel will check-in multiple times per day with the MCC Tunisia Administrative Assistant or MCC Tunisia Country Director to ensure knowledge of locations and accountability via cell or satellite phone as needed. At a minimum, the team leader will check in upon movement in the morning, midday and at the conclusion of activity of travel in the evening. If required personnel are traveling in a group, the designated team leader can complete this task on behalf of the entire group. Any suspicious activity or security issues will be reported to the MCC Tunisia Country Director and MCC Managing

Director for Security as soon as possible.

f. Locally Employed Security Expert. If any of the contractors are non-Tunisian and are traveling to mission essential travel locations (as defined in 3.B below), a locally-employed security expert will travel with contractor personnel at all times. MCC may also invoke this requirement for travel to pre-approved locations when MCC determines local conditions warrant.

3. Security Plan Non-Emergency Travel Restrictions.

Note: These requirements must be completed prior to and during each trip the Contractor is proposing to make outside Tunis and in Tunis in regards to lodging (point d. below).

a. Pre-Approved Locations. Non-emergency travel following the Security Plan’s safety guidance is permitted to the following pre-approved locations: Beja, Bizerte, the Cap Bon Peninsula, Djerba, Douga, El Jem, Hammamet, Nabeul, Sfax, Sousse, and Tabarka. Contractors are not required to request approval for travel to pre-approved locations but Contractors are required to notify

MCC of their planned travel to these locations via an email to the MCC Country Director. As with all travel, travel to pre-approved locations must be referenced within the Security Plan.

b. “Mission Essential Travel Only” Locations. Required personnel will seek to minimize travel to

“mission essential travel only” locations, and travel to these destinations will require case-by-case approval by the MCC Tunisia Country Director as mentioned in point

2.a above. The security situation in these regions can require some extra precautionary measures, which MCC will specify as needed in the case-by-case review of travel to these areas. Mission essential locations include, but are not limited to the following: the geographical areas adjacent to the border with Algeria (Jendouba, Kef, Asserine); the Libyan border (Ben Guerdan and Medenine);

and central Tunisia (Gafsa and Sidi Bou Zid). All travel within the designated military zone in the south should be avoided. Any travel within the zone must be approved by MCC.

c. Travel after Dark. There will be no travel after dark, other than movement within cities or towns for dining purposes.

d. Use of Approved Hotels. Required personnel will use hotels approved by the U.S. Embassy Regional

Security Office. Tunisian citizens are expected to use hotels from this pre- approved list except for when in their place of primary residence. Refer to the list provided below:

List of Regional Security Office Approved Hotels

Beja: None approved

Bizerte: AIN Meriem and the Andalucia

Djerba: Radisson Blue and The Sensimar

Gabes: Shams Hotel

Gafsa: Gafsa Palace

Jendouba: None approved

Kairouan: La Kasbah hotel

Kassserine: Sufetula

Kef: Le pins

Tunis: Concorde Hotel, Le Paris, Golden Tulip Gammarth, Movenpick, Ramada Plaza, Residence, Regency, Four Seasons

Tabarka: La Cigale and Dar Ismail

Sfax: Golden Tulip Sfax

Sidi Bouzid: None approved

Sousse: Movenpick Sousse

Resources.

Provided below are key resources for MCC contractors. The MCC Tunisia Country Director will share other relevant resources as needed and available in consultation with the U.S. Embassy.

MCC

Oliver Pierson

Tunisia Country Director

+1-202-375-8661 Piersono@mcc.gov

Hiba Chayeb

Tunisia Administrative Assistant

+216 17 107 000 ext 7354 (office) +216 58 539 075 (cell) chayebh@mcc.gov

Doug Fairfield

Managing Director Domestic and International Security

+1-202-702-9323 fairfielddh@mcc.gov

U.S. Embassy Tunis

Matthew Lang

International Security Specialist

+1-202-498-4021 langmj@mcc.gov

North East Zone Les Berges du Lac 1053

Tunis, Tunisia

Telephone +(216) 71-107-000 Emergency +(216) 71-107-000, press 0 and ask for the duty officer Fax

+(216) 71-964-360

Email tunisacs@state.gov Website U.S. Embassy Tunis mailto:Piersono@mcc.gov mailto:langmj@mcc.gov mailto:chayebh@mcc.gov mailto:fairfielddh@mcc.gov mailto:langmj@mcc.gov mailto:%20tunisacs@state.gov https://tn.usembassy.gov/