Deadline Reminder Regarding Compliance Dates from March 15th, 2024 “Notice to Anti-Ram Barrier Manufactures” SAM. gov Notice ID 19AQMM24N0028

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security issued this Special Notice on January 7, 2026, to remind anti-ram barrier manufacturers of critical compliance requirements for maintaining placement on the Department's Approved List of Anti-Ram Barriers. This notice consolidates guidance previously communicated through two earlier notices—one from October 15, 2021, and another from March 15, 2024—and serves as a deadline reminder for manufacturers to complete outstanding documentation and compliance tasks. The notice addresses manufacturers with barriers currently on the Department's Approved List and outlines mandatory procedures for continued eligibility. The primary focus is on the transition from the Department of State's legacy SD-STD-02.01 testing standard to the ASTM F2656 standard, which has been the established testing protocol since August 1, 2007.

The Special Notice mandates that anti-ram barrier manufacturers provide valid test reports performed in accordance with ASTM F2656 by December 31, 2026, with a firm deadline established to ensure all barriers meet current performance standards. Documentation must demonstrate a "P1 penetration not greater than one meter" rating for the "M level, medium-duty truck" classification using the version of ASTM F2656 current on the testing date. Manufacturers must submit all required documentation to DS/PSD/RD before the December 31, 2026, deadline, with inquiries directed to DSPSPRD@STATE.GOV. The notice emphasizes that K-ratings from the legacy standard do not automatically transfer to updated barrier designs, and ASTM F2656 ratings cannot be claimed as equivalent to older K-ratings without proper supporting documentation. Failure to comply with these requirements or to properly label and market barrier ratings may result in removal from the DS-Approved Barriers List. All manufacturers currently on the Approved List must ensure their barriers have undergone appropriate testing and possess complete, properly formatted rating documentation to maintain their eligibility.