Inter-Agency Process

Agencies Role

  The reason that so many desks or agencies review these applications is to protect the U.S. National Security and support U.S. Foreign Policy. The multiple desks reviewing applications look for things relating to how a product or service will affect regional security or stability. Will certain products or services upset the balance of power between two similar nations?

The Department of Defense reviews applications and makes determinations on the level of technology that any individual country may be authorized. Allied nations get a higher or better level of technology than those who are less favored.

Intelligence Agencies review applications to help analyze other nation's strategic decisions and purchases for the year and to gain a better understanding of Foreign Policy and finally the Energy Department reviews applications for any items that could possibly be used in nuclear applications.

There are many more agencies that may review an application, for instance U.S. Special Operations Command reviews military training. The Defense Technology Security Agency may review applications for similar content.

The more complex and technical an application is, the longer it will take to work its way through the complex systems of reviews at State Department. This information is important to those in Business Development and Contracts as they work to meet timetables and business arrangements.