x402 Public Release of Information 20250402.pdf

Updated: April 2, 2025

TO: ALL PRIME CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS SUPPORTING

PROJECTS FOR THE BUREAU OF OVERSEAS BUILDINGS OPERATIONS (OBO)

FROM: GLOBAL ACQUISITIONS OFFICE OF DIPLOMATIC MISSION SUPPORT –

FACILITIES & OBO EXTERNAL AFFAIRS OBOPublicRelease@state.gov

SUBJECT: PUBLIC RELEASE REQUESTS FOR OBO PROJECTS

The U.S. Department of State (DOS), Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), and Global Acquisition (A/GA) remind you that the public release of information regarding any aspect of the design, construction, or any other service related to OBO projects is strictly prohibited without the written approval of a Contracting Officer and OBOPublicRelease@state.gov.

Any content relating to an OBO project that a company would like to make available in the public realm must be submitted to OBOPublicRelease@state.gov to undergo required government reviews and clearances before publication. Companies are prohibited from releasing information publicly in any form of media, such as photographs, social media, award submissions, narratives, company websites, interviews, or any internet forum, without the prior authorization from a Contracting Officer and OBOPublicRelease@state.gov. This prohibition extends to all firms involved in the project, including subcontractors at any tier. Prime contractors are required to distribute the contents of this letter to all their cleared and uncleared subcontractors working on DOS projects. All subcontractors are required to submit their public release requests through the prime contractor to ensure proper coordination and oversight.

Primes shall submit the subcontractor’s public release requests per the instructions below in addition to including their support for the request.

Contractors must resubmit for review and clearance any content cleared before January 20, 2025, if intended for re-release, social media posting, sharing, or as part of new public-facing materials to ensure alignment with current executive orders aimed at mailto:OBOPublicRelease@state.gov

Updated: April 2, 2025 making the United States safer, stronger, and more prosperous. Before resubmitting to OBOPublicRelease@state.gov, all references to sustainability or diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) shall be removed. Sustainability features should be framed through the lens of the new administration’s priorities by:

o Focusing on building performance o Using language like “adaptation” rather than “resilience” o Removing terms “climate” and “sustainability”

Note: References to LEED certifications or achievements are permitted in public-facing materials.

All documents and records (including photographs) generated during the performance of work under OBO projects are for the sole use of and shall become the exclusive property of the U.S. Government. No article, book, pamphlet, recording, broadcast, speech, television appearance, award submission, film, or photograph concerning any aspect of the work performed under these projects shall be published or disseminated through any medium without the prior written authorization of the Contracting Officer and OBOPublicRelease@state.gov. These obligations remain in effect even after the expiration or termination of the projects.

Information associated with any DOS project is considered sensitive and must be safeguarded against public release. Your company, employees, including subcontractors, must exercise the utmost discretion regarding all matters, materials, and data related to their duties and functions on diplomatic projects.

For future requests to publish DOS project information on the internet, in print, or other media, please submit your request with the information you would like to release prior to publication to OBOPublicRelease@state.gov for approval. The request shall include the contract or task order number.

Note: For any files included in the request, please ensure the file naming convention is clear and in a consistent format that includes the project name, location, feature/angle, photographer/source, date, and a unique file name (e.g.

ProjectName_SouthFacade_JohnSmith_20241219_01.jpg). The file sizes shall be compressed to ensure email transmission (limit is < 25MB).

Thank you for your continued collaboration.

mailto:OBOPublicRelease@state.gov