What is the Defense Security Assistance Management System (DSAMS)?

A group of programs authorized by federal statutes by which the United States provides defense articles, military training, and other defense-related services by grant, lease, loan, credit, or cash sales in furtherance of national policies and objectives, and those that are funded and authorized through the Department of State to be administered by Department of Defense/Defense Security Cooperation Agency, which are considered part of security cooperation.

Activities undertaken by the DoD to encourage and enable international partners to work with the United States to achieve strategic objectives. It includes all DoD interactions with foreign defense and security establishments, including all DoD-administered security assistance programs, that: build defense and security relationships that promote specific U.S. security interests, including all international armaments cooperation activities and security assistance activities; develop allied and friendly military capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations; and provide U.S. forces with peacetime and contingency access to host nations.

The legal instrument used by the USG to transfer itemized defense articles, defense services, and design and construction services to foreign partners.

When used under the authorities provided in the Arms Export Control Act for Foreign Military Sales, the LOA is a binding agreement signed by the USG and the foreign partner to transfer such articles and services.

When used under Building Partnership Capacity (BPC) authorities, the BPC LOA is not signed by the Benefitting Partner.

A national of a foreign government, with military or civilian status of that government, who is receiving education or training or is touring USG activities under the sponsorship of the security assistance training program.

A DSCA-managed web-based tool for international purchasers, purchaser agents (e.g., freight forwarders), and USG personnel with appropriate permissions that provides information on U.S. Foreign Military Sales Letters of Offer and Acceptance and other key Security Cooperation programs and processes. The data is sourced from Defense Security Assistance Management System and the Military Department's case execution systems.

A process, authorized by the Arms Export Control Act, through which eligible foreign governments and international organizations may purchase defense articles, services, and training from the United States Government.

Any program, activity (including an exercise), or interaction of the Department of Defense with the security establishment of a partner or international organization to achieve a purpose as follows:

To build and develop allied and friendly security capabilities for self-defense and multinational operations.

To provide the armed forces with access to the partner or international organization during peacetime or a contingency operation.

To build relationships that promote specific United States security interests.

An activity which is responsible for performing work or service, including the production of material and/or the procurement of goods and services from other contractors and activities.

SAN is a web-based system (also known as SANweb) that hosts various Security Cooperation applications and a library system for sharing documents. SAN also provides administrative functions to monitor and manage user accounts, control access to hosted applications and provides logs for system access and actions performed by the users. The SAN's counterpart, International SAN (ISAN), provides limited access to partner countries. It has only one application, Partner Security Cooperation - Training Management System.

A data system within Security Assistance Network Web used primarily by Security Cooperation Organizations and International Military Student Offices to manage the Security Cooperation training program for the foreign partner. SC-TMS produces International Military Education and Training and Foreign Military Sales management reports, invitational travel orders, and other training management documents.

A written authorization (DD Form 2285) for International Military Students to travel to, from, and between U.S. activities for the purpose of training under an approved and funded International Military Education and Training or Foreign Military Sales program.

Training funded under the International Military Education and Training (IMET) program to the following four objectives: proper management of defense resources, improving military justice systems in accordance with internationally recognized human rights, understanding the principle of civilian control of the military, and contributing to the cooperation between police and military forces for counternarcotics law enforcement [sec.541, Foreign Assistance Act].