The United States Department of State Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) is responsible for overseeing the construction, management, and operations of U.S. diplomatic facilities around the world.
30-450: [REDACTED] Look up obo in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Obo or OBO may also refer to: As an acronym [ edit ] Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations , in the U.S. Department of State Open Biomedical Ontologies , creating controlled vocabularies Oxford Bibliographies Online , by OUP Operated by others ,
60-706: A focus on construction and renovation projects. This directorate advises the OBO Director on the development and delivery of funded capital construction and noncapital programs, while ensuring that these projects align with U.S. government objectives, budgets, and schedules. It also provides guidance for selecting architectural and engineering firms for OBO design contracts and formulates criteria, guidelines, policies, and standards to meet its functional responsibilities. The PDCS directorate oversees functional offices that offer design and engineering, cost management, and project management services for assigned projects, contributing to
90-886: A global presence spanning over 280 locations throughout the world. As of October 25, 2021, William H. Moser , former Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Moldova, assumed the role of director at OBO. OBO has its origins in the Foreign Service Buildings Commission, which was established in 1926 under the Foreign Service Buildings Act. This legislation granted the Secretary of State the authority to acquire by purchase, construction, or exchange sites and buildings in foreign capitals and other foreign cities; to maintain, repair, improve, and refurbish these properties; and to dispose of properties that become surplus, underutilized, or uneconomical. The act also granted
120-482: A historic embassy abroad for a week of learning and research. This exchange allows for a hands-on experience for young preservation professionals and adds to the knowledge about these properties through the student’s findings and presentations. Whether for an ambassador’s residence, an embassy, or with a public institution, the Office of Cultural Heritage creates exhibits that showcase American diplomatic history around
150-501: A result of these developments, the Department elevated the Office of Foreign Buildings Operations to the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. The newly designated Bureau was charged with replacing more than 180 aging embassies that did not meet all security standards, marking an unprecedented endeavor in the Department's history. To achieve this goal, the Department collaborated closely with
180-483: A term used in the oil and gas industry Ore-bulk-oil carrier , a merchant vessel Or Best Offer, usually used on items description on online auction websites. As a code [ edit ] Tokachi-Obihiro Airport , Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan, IATA code Manobo languages , ISO 639-3 code People [ edit ] Obo Addy (1936–2012), Ghanaian drummer and dancer Obo Aba Hisanjani (born 1949), Nigerian poet Other [ edit ] Obo II ,
210-690: Is also responsible for strategic facility planning, long-term master planning, property negotiations with foreign governments, the Capital Security Cost-Sharing Program, and reporting Federal Real Property Profile (FRPP) for the State Department. Furthermore, it manages the sale and decommissioning of properties. The Program Development, Coordination, and Support (PDCS) directorate within OBO is responsible for overseeing and coordinating programs related to U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad, with
240-498: Is an official visual arts office within the U.S. Department of State, engaging over 20,000 participants globally, including artists, museums, galleries, universities, and private collectors. It encompasses over 200 venues in 189 countries. Professional curators and registrars create and ship about 60 exhibitions per year, and since 2000, over 70 permanent collections have been installed in the Department’s diplomatic facilities throughout
270-417: Is responsible for the oversight and implementation of the U.S. Department of State’s building and real estate programs. This directorate focuses on strategically managing real estate for U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad, ensuring that these facilities are located in suitable, secure, and functional spaces, while also adhering to host country regulations and environmental objectives. The PRE directorate advises
300-431: Is used to guide the future management and care of the portfolio of buildings and objects. Information is also shared with the public through outreach and education opportunities such as those found on this website and through programs like the Secretary of State’s Register for Culturally Significant Property. Using modern technology and drawing on in-house expertise in historic preservation and fine arts conservation,
330-568: The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) is a key administrative position responsible for overseeing the bureau's budget and financial management, strategic planning, Congressional reporting, and policy functions. This role involves the management and allocation of financial resources to support OBO's mission and the efficient operation of U.S. diplomatic facilities abroad. The Comptroller plays an instrumental role in shaping OBO's strategic initiatives, ensuring financial accountability, and providing essential reporting and policy guidance to support
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#1732885080811360-472: The Department's Designated Agency Safety and Health Official (DASHO). Serving as a vital liaison between posts, OBO, and regional bureaus, the directorate extends its oversight to specialized offices that collectively address safety, health, environmental management, and cultural matters concerning these facilities. This comprehensive approach ensures the secure, efficient, and culturally resonant operation of U.S. diplomatic platforms worldwide. The Comptroller of
390-404: The OBO Director on long-range and strategic facility planning and real property programs and policies for the Department of State and the U.S. Government community serving abroad. Additionally, PRE oversees the Department’s asset management program, including real property acquisition and disposal plans, and conducts financial evaluations of properties proposed for acquisition abroad. The directorate
420-444: The Office of Cultural Heritage oversees special projects for diplomatic posts abroad when historic buildings and collections are affected. This requires collaboration with and education for facilities managers, OBO design professionals, and outside contractors to meet required preservation codes and best practices. The Office of Cultural Heritage regularly works with student groups studying historic preservation by hosting them at
450-627: The Office of Management and Budget and Congress to secure reliable funding commitments. OBO’s history is defined by distinct periods or eras. Its initial era was characterized by a focus on adaptivity, involving the acquisition and conversion of extant residential properties for diplomatic purposes before progressing to the deliberate design and construction of purpose-built facilities. In the subsequent Modern era, facilities were constructed that more aptly embodied U.S. values, including democracy, transparency, and diplomacy with host countries where operational activities were conducted. The transition into
480-529: The Secretary of State the authority to provide residential and office space and necessary related facilities to other agencies overseas whose employees are under the authority of the Chief of Mission. The creation of the Foreign Service Buildings Commission was a response to public concerns regarding the state of American diplomatic posts abroad. Over the years, several pivotal events triggered significant changes within OBO and its predecessor organizations. One such event
510-586: The Security and Excellence era saw a discernible shift towards prioritizing security measures and establishing secure platforms for both property users and visitors. Currently, OBO is in the Security, Resilience, Stewardship, and Effectiveness era, representing the culmination of the Bureau’s accumulated experience and exemplifying the commitment to provide future-ready, adaptable, and sustainable facilities. The Planning & Real Estate (PRE) directorate within OBO
540-497: The bureau's activities. For over five decades, Art in Embassies (AIE) has played a leading role in U.S. public diplomacy through a focused mission of vital cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through the visual arts and dynamic artist exchange. The Museum of Modern Art first envisioned this global visual arts program in 1953, and President John F. Kennedy formalized it at the U.S. Department of State in 1963. Today, Art in Embassies
570-543: The bureau's overall engagements with Congress, the Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and is the central focal point for conveying oversight and accountability information to these external entities. RM/P is also responsible for managing the bureau's strategic planning development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation processes and products such as
600-520: The first American Cocker Spaniel Obo National Park , São Tomé and Príncipe Obo or ovoo (Mongolian: овоо, heap ), a Mongolian shrine Obo , a town in the Central African Republic See also [ edit ] Oboe (disambiguation) Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title OBO . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change
630-412: The link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=OBO&oldid=1157330373 " Category : Disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations OBO’s mission is to provide
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#1732885080811660-437: The most effective facilities for United States diplomacy abroad and support the Department’s achievement of U.S. foreign policy objectives. OBO sets worldwide priorities for the design, construction, acquisition, maintenance, use, and sale of real property, as well as the allocation of sale proceeds. As one of the world’s largest and most experienced real estate owners and developers, OBO has a $ 75B portfolio replacement value and
690-533: The observations made in the report were concerns about unsafe, overcrowded, deteriorating, and substandard conditions at numerous U.S. embassies and consulates. The panel's findings also indicated that over 80 percent of diplomatic facilities abroad were vulnerable to future attacks. In response, the Secure Embassy Construction and Counterterrorism Act (SECCA) was enacted in 1999, which enshrined security requirements for Department facilities overseas. As
720-505: The overall efficiency and success of these initiatives. The Construction & Security Management (CSM) directorate within OBO is primarily responsible for the construction, security, and maintenance of the State Department's diplomatic platforms across the globe. This directorate formulates management criteria, guidelines, and policies for new office buildings, major renovations, and upgrade projects for Department facilities abroad. These standards encompass security and safety, ensuring
750-527: The protection and efficient functioning of U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide. The Operations (OPS) Directorate within OBO plays a vital role in ensuring the efficient operation of U.S. diplomatic facilities worldwide. It oversees facility maintenance, repair, and supports small-scale projects at posts abroad. Additionally, OPS provides expert advisory services on facility operations and overseas programs, while actively assisting with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) responsibilities on behalf of
780-585: The tragic bombings of the U.S. embassies in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam in 1998, the Secretary of State established the Overseas Presence Advisory Panel. This panel was tasked with assessing the United States’ global presence and the condition of the Department's facilities. Their final report contained both broad and specific recommendations for the future of the Department's building program. Among
810-546: The world. Art in Embassies fosters U.S. relations within local communities world-wide – in the last decade, more than 100 artists have traveled to countries participating in AIE’s exchange programs and collaborated with local artists to produce works now on display in embassies and consulates. Going forward, AIE will continue to engage, educate, and inspire global audiences, showing how art can transcend national borders and build connections among peoples. The Office of Cultural Heritage
840-416: The world. These exhibits utilized the Department of State’s collection of cultural objects and historic buildings as well as partnerships with public and private institutions through loan programs. While many of these guests are only viewable by invited guests to our overseas properties, the Office of Cultural Heritage seeks to make them accessible to the public. This office is responsible for managing
870-588: Was established in 2015, under the Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations. The Office of Cultural Heritage implements a stewardship program for the care of the Department of State’s culturally, historically, and architecturally significant properties and collections through research, conservation, educational programs, exhibit design, and maintenance protocols. Cultural Heritage staff undertakes research to determine historical significance and conducts condition assessments to inform treatment recommendations for historic properties and collections. The product of this research
900-552: Was the attack on the U.S. embassy in Beirut in 1983, which prompted the Advisory Panel on Overseas Security to charge the then Office of Foreign Buildings Operations with the task of replacing embassies and consulates that failed to meet essential security standards. However, challenges such as the availability of suitable sites and funding led to the abandonment of over a third of the initially planned projects. Fifteen years later, after
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