; (II) any period of consultation described in subparagraph (C); or (III) a notification period under section 36(c)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2776(c)(2) ). (B) Licenses for release of sensitive technology (i) Deadline for decision With respect to an application of a defense industry provider for a license for the release of sensitive technology as part of foreign military sales negotiations, not later than 120 days after the date on which such an application containing all relevant information in the form required is received by the Department of State Directorate of Defense Trade Controls, the Secretary of State shall issue a decision on the application. (ii) Approval In the case of a decision under clause (i) to approve such an application, the defense industry provider concerned may commence negotiations with the eligible foreign purchaser on the earliest date practicable following the issuance of such decision. (iii) Denial Concurrently with the issuance of a decision under clause (i) denying such an application, the Secretary of State shall provide to the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives written notice of the decision, including the basis for the denial. (iv) Rule of construction Nothing in this subparagraph may be construed to include, within the deadline set forth in clause (i)— (I) any response period under subparagraph (A); (II) any period of consultation described in subparagraph (C); or (III) a notification period under section 36(c)(2) of the Arms Export Control Act ( 22 U.S.C. 2776(c)(2) ). (C) Department of State consultation Any period of consultation between the Secretary of State and Congress with respect to a proposed foreign military sale may not— (i) be longer than 20 days