US embassy cable - 05PRAGUE509

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000509 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR DS/PSD/PCB, OBO/PE/SM, A/OPR/OS AND DS/IP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ASEC, ASCH, AFIN, ABUD 
SUBJECT: OVERSEAS SCHOOL SECURITY - PHASE II 
 
REF: A) STATE 318171 B) PRAGUE 2357 C) FEDERAL 
     ASSISTANCE AWARD S-OPROS-04-GR-088 
 
1.  In response to ref A, which launched phase II of the 
Overseas School Security Program, ref B described what we 
assess as the major vulnerability of the International School 
of Prague to a terrorist attack - the lack of access 
controls, particularly vehicle access, to a large parking lot 
adjacent to the main classroom building. 
 
2.  We initially proposed a series of concrete planters to be 
placed along the parking lot boundary to provide setback to 
the main classroom building.  The school obtained a bid from 
a local contractor for approximately 100 large concrete 
planters and two manually operated drop arms in the amount of 
$32,000.  That amount was approved by A/OPR/OS via Federal 
Assistance Award S-OPROS-04-GR-088. 
 
3.  The school has subsequently contracted with an 
architectural and engineering firm to study the problem 
further.  The A&E firm has come up with a design that will 
give the school control over the parking lot in a more 
aesthetically pleasing manner than 100 planters.  RSO concurs 
with this proposal. 
 
4.  Vehicles currently enter the school property through a 
gate adjacent to a guard booth and proceed around the parking 
lot in a counter-clockwise direction, exiting through a gate 
on the opposite side of the guard booth.  The guard booth is 
staffed by a guard hired by the school. 
 
5.  The new proposal is to install a mechanical drop arm at 
both the vehicle entrance and exits in conjunction with three 
pop-up bollards which, with strategically placed planters, 
would form a vehicle sally-port, giving the school the 
capability to inspect vehicles/occupants before allowing 
entry.  The pop-up bollards could also be used in case of 
emergency or during periods of heightened threat.  The guard 
posted in the guard booth would have control.  Per the 
provisions of STATE 11945, paragraph 3(b), the school agrees 
to assume responsibility for maintenance of the drop arms and 
pop-up bollards. 
 
6.  The school has obtained quotes for this revised system as 
follows: 
 
--Two (2) mechanical drop arms ........ $ 8,500 
--Electrically controlled bollards ......14,000 
--Planters  ............................  8,100 
--Labor, excavation, materials ......... 15,500 
--VAT (19%) ............................  8,800 
 
--Total ............................... $54,900 
 
7.  Please advise if increased funding in the amount of 
$22,900 is available for this revised plan. 
 
HILLAS