19AQMR25N0001_Draft SOW_Asses of Prof. & Cert. of Inv. Police 10.22.2024.pdf

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

DOS/A/GA/AMD

Draft Statement of Work (SOW) 10-24-2024

U.S. Embassy Mexico—International Narcotics & Law Enforcement Affairs (INL Mexico)

Assessment of the Professionalization & Certification of Investigative Police Officers in Mexico By addressing barriers and promoting the Single Police Certificate (Certificado Unico Policial or CUP), this contemplated project aims to enhance the certification process and, consequently, strengthen the capabilities of police officers in Mexico. This improvement will help them perform their duties more effectively, ultimately contributing to a reduction in criminal activity on both sides of the United States—Mexico border.

DRAFT Statement of Work (SOW) Assessment of the Professionalization & Certification of Investigative Police Officers in Mexico

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be

1. General

The Contractor shall provide duly qualified and professional experts, and any supporting requirements necessary to accomplish the efforts described in this Statement of Work (SOW) for the Government of Mexico (GOM).

2. Program Background

In 2021, the U.S. and Mexico agreed to the Bicentennial Framework for Security, Public Health, and Safe Communities, which expands the scope of the Mérida Initiative by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. The Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), through the U.S. Embassy in Mexico helps deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.

One of the main objectives under the Bicentennial Framework is to strengthen the capacity of security and justice sector actors to reduce impunity for crime and protect human rights. In line with this, the Mexican government has made efforts to ensure that society is served by well-prepared, trustworthy, and professional police officers. One such effort, established in 2016, mandates that all police officers at the federal, state, and municipal levels must obtain the Single Police Certificate (Certificado Unico Policial for its title in Spanish CUP). The CUP is a certification that verifies public security personnel possess the necessary profile, skills, and aptitudes to perform their duties effectively.

However, the implementation of the CUP has faced various challenges. Some of these challenges are rooted in institutional processes, including inconsistencies in the management of resources and infrastructure, a lack of standardized procedures across different police forces, and administrative barriers that complicate access to necessary training and certification.

By addressing these barriers and promoting the CUP, this project aims to enhance the certification process and, consequently, strengthen the capabilities of police officers. This improvement will help them perform their duties more effectively, ultimately contributing to a reduction in criminal activity on both sides of the border.

3. Objective

The objective of this Statement of Work (SOW) is to evaluate the effectiveness of the certification process, and the competencies established in the CUP to ensure that police officers have the necessary skills to carry out effective criminal investigations and the institutional mechanisms to strengthen the professionalization process.

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

Under this SOW, the Contractor shall supply all the requirements to address these issues by gathering critical information and insights to design strategies that will strengthen the CUP certification process. The aim is not only to promote certification compliance but also to ensure that the competencies evaluated and developed through this process are aligned with the needs for conducting effective criminal investigations. By doing so, the project will contribute to enhancing the skills required for thorough and professional criminal investigations.

4. Scope

The scope of this project will accomplish its objective through the following activities divided into five phases:

1. Desk investigation: Gather quantitative and qualitative information from existing records and reports across the 32 states.

2. Institutional Engagement Visits: Reach out to relevant institutions to explore political will, explain the project and invite them to participate.

3. Field Data Collection: Perform field data collection in selected institutions, based on the priorities set in the Bicentennial Agreement.

4. Data Processing: Process and analyze data from both desk investigation and field data collection phases to identify trends, gaps, and areas of improvement.

5. Data Reporting: Compile findings into comprehensive reports, including insights from previous phases.

Each stage in turn encompasses a number of specific activities (see 6. Performance Requirements).

5. Relationships

The Contractor is responsible for scheduling and coordinating meetings and other details with appropriate personnel in each state throughout the life of the project. All such arrangements must be approved by INL and made in consultation with our team to ensure alignment with project objectives.

6. Period of Performance.

The initial period of performance shall be 12 months (Base Year). The contract shall allow one optional year after base year ends.

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

The U.S. Government reserves the right to not exercise the option years.

7. Performance Requirements

Phase 1: Desk investigation Activities:

1. Conduct a desk investigation to collect quantitative information from the 32 states, including but not limited to the analysis of data on the force strength, certified vs. non-certified personnel, budget allocated to certification processes, average certification times, and other relevant indicators.

2. Analyze policies, regulations, and institutional documents governing the certification process to understand the regulatory and administrative framework.

3. Conduct a comparative analysis of the competencies currently evaluated in the CUP and their alignment with criminal investigation needs, identifying potential gaps, additions, and/or necessary adjustments.

4. Evaluate whether the training programs for police investigators and preventive police officers align with the competencies required for criminal investigations and adequately address current needs. This includes collecting and analyzing data on academic offerings, available training programs, and the actual participation and frequency of training among police officers. Identify opportunities for updates or enhancements.

Phase 2: Institutional Engagement Visits

1. Carry out preparation activities to plan the upcoming visit. This will include informing the pertinent stakeholders and scheduling the corresponding meetings.

2. Create presentations and informative materials about the project, including objectives, benefits, and requirements for participation.

3. Hold meetings with institutional representatives to explain the project, answer questions, and obtain preliminary commitment.

4. Document the agreements and commitments made during meetings, including any special requests or conditions agreed upon.

Phase 3: Field Data Collection

1. Propose a representative sample of security institutions, considering regional diversity and strategic relevance based on the Bicentennial Agreement.

2. Analyze whether the Institutes and/or Academies responsible for the police training have the necessary infrastructure (classrooms, physical training areas, firearms and shooting practice facilities, etc.) and capacities to deliver required training programs and/or adjust them as needed.

3. Conduct interviews, surveys, and/or focus groups with key personnel (managers, police

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

investigators, administrative staff, instructors, etc.) to gather insights on the certification process and perceived barriers.

4. Document organizational practices and procedures that facilitate or hinder certification, including factors such as resource management, incentives, organizational culture, and other internal factors.

Phase 4: Data Processing Activities:

1. Review and clean the data to correct any errors, inconsistencies, or missing information, ensuring accuracy and completeness.

2. Develop an analytical framework/methodology to systematically evaluate the data, including criteria for assessing trends and gaps.

3. Perform a thorough analysis of the data using statistical methods, qualitative analysis, and/or other relevant techniques to extract meaningful insights.

4. Map current certification processes, from preparation to certification, identifying steps, times, required resources, and critical issues or bottlenecks.

Phase 5: Data Reporting Activities

1. Develop a draft final report, including but not limited to sections for: objectives, methodology, key findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

2. Conduct a review of the draft final report to ensure accuracy, clarity, and completeness and revise based on feedback from INL and stakeholders.

3. Consolidate the findings and results of the evaluation into a final report, including specific recommendations to improve certification process, training programs, and competency assessment.

4. Prepare and deliver a presentation summarizing the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations from the report to INL and other stakeholders.

8. Special Requirements/Constraints

The contractor shall provide the appropriate number of staff to satisfactorily execute this project. Offerors submitting proposals must provide resumes for key personnel.

The key personnel and their requirements are outlined below:

Program Manager (PM) Duties:

• The PM shall be responsible for project implementation.

• The PM must provide deliverables in accordance with this contract.

• The PM shall maintain open, timely and effective communications with the CO/COR and the designated Mission Mexico personnel.

• The PM shall proactively address potential problems and provide flexible, workable

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

solutions.

• The PM must supervise the contracted personnel and be responsible for the contractor’s overall performance.

• The PM must coordinate with high level Mexican and U.S. officials.

• The PM shall be responsible for the coordination for all the visits, subject to prior agreement and authorization from INL.

Qualifications:

- At least 5 years of experience in designing and conducting large-scale evaluations.

- A Master’s degree or equivalent.

- Proven track record in leading, coordinating and delivering comprehensive, large-scale evaluations.

- At least three (3) years of supervisory experience managing staff.

- Proven ability to deliver a quality written product.

- Organizational/technical skills to manage the budget resources for this project and support the team with field logistics.

- Spanish and English language skills at or equivalent to the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) proficiency level of 3 or higher is required.

Data Analysis & Evaluation SME Duties:

- Responsible for the collection and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.

- Develops and applies data analysis methodologies including surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups.

- Produces data evaluation reports, graphs, and comparative tables to identify gaps, and recommendations.

Qualifications:

- At least 5 years of experience in data analysis, evaluation or a related field.

- A degree in a relevant field such as Statistics, Data Science, Engineering or a related field.

- Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting surveys, interviews, and/or focus groups.

- Communication skills for developing various types of reports, executive summaries, presentations and other outputs to different audiences.

- Proven experience analyzing large databases and applying statistical and qualitative methods to draw actionable insights.

- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., R, Python, SAS, SPSS or Matlab), data analysis tools (e.g. Tableau, Power BI or Matplotlib) and database management experience (SQL, MySQL, PostgreSQL).

- Strong analytical and critical thinking skills to identify, analyze and interpret trends or patterns in complex data sets.

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

Competency Evaluation Specialist Duties:

- Assess training and certification programs against competency standards.

- Evaluate the alignment of current training programs with required competencies.

- Identify gaps and propose improvements to enhance competency development.

- Provide actionable recommendations for refining certification processes.

Qualifications:

- At least 5 years of experience in programs related to training and professionalization, preferably in the government sector in justice and security-related fields.

- Proven experience in training, evaluation and certification processes, with a focus on competency-based assessments.

- Proficiency in the CONOCER methodologies and other competency-based certifications.

- Knowledge of developing and applying competency frameworks tailored to organizational needs.

- Analytical skills with the ability to assess training effectiveness and provide actionable recommendations.

- Communication skills, both written and verbal, to present findings and collaborate with stakeholders.

Process Management SME Duties:

- Assess and analyze institutional policies and procedures involve in the certification process.

- Propose improvements to enhance institutional support to certification and training programs.

- Provide recommendations for policy adjustments and process enhancements based on findings.

Qualifications:

- At least 5 years of experience in designing, implementing, and improving institutional processes, preferably with government sectors related to justice and security.

- In-depth knowledge of public sector and best practices process enhancement.

Understanding of institutional challenges and strategies for improvement.

- Strong skills and experience in evaluating and optimizing processes to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in institutional settings.

- Ability to identify process gaps, propose improvements and recommendations to implement strategic solutions.

- Strong analytical skills to perform root cause analysis and develop corrective action plans.

Special Requirements / Constraints. All documentation and deliverables developed or provided by the Contractor shall become the property of the U.S. Government.

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

Confidentiality and Intellectual Property. The Contractor personnel (to include subcontractors, teaming partners, and consultants) who will be personally and substantially involved in the performance of the development services which requires the Contractor to act on behalf of or provide advice with respect to any phase of the requirement, shall execute and submit an “Employee/Contractor Non-Disclosure Agreement” Form.

Security Requirements. The Contractor shall, to the best of their knowledge, both certify that all the information included in their candidates’ application process are true, correct, and provided in good faith. The Contractor and candidates understand that if either make any intentionally false statements or commit deception or fraud in the application process to include all supporting materials, or in any document or interview associated with the hiring process, that the applicant may be denied or removed from the hiring process.

Furthermore, the USG is not held liable in this instance.

9. Place of Performance

The evaluations shall be held in-person, in State and federal law enforcement and justice institutions across Mexico. Actual places will be provided to the Contractor by INL. The locations could be in any state of Mexico, depending on need, interest, safety, and health conditions. The list of actual locations will be provided at least 5 days prior the evaluation starts.

10. Travel

Understanding that the course locations could be in any state of Mexico, the contractor shall develop and propose a firm-fixed price travel rate that accounts for all travel related costs including but not limited to evaluators travel, lodging expenses, meals and incidental expenses, travel time, etc.

As a firm-fixed price, the price is not subject to any adjustment based on the contractor’s cost experience in performing the work. The same rate shall apply for any location within the country as selected by INL.

11. Deliverables:

A. Cabinet Investigation Report: Analysis report of the data collected during the desk investigation; including charts, comparative tables, and relevant data (force levels, certified vs. non-certified personnel, budget, average certification times, etc.) and an executive summary with key findings and recommendations.

B. Training Evaluation Report: Detailed document on the existing academic offer, the relevance of the training programs concerning certification, an analysis of police officers’ participation in these trainings, and specific recommendations to enhance

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

training and align it with certification needs.

C. Experiences and Perceptions Report: Document including results from the interviews, surveys and/or focus groups with relevant transcripts, qualitative analysis of responses, and a synthesis of perceptions and barriers identified from the perspective of key stakeholders.

D. Regulative and Administrative Analysis Report: Analysis document of the policies and regulations governing certification, detailing the regulatory and administrative framework, identifying problem areas, gaps and opportunities for reforms and/or adjustments.

E. Organizational practices report: Diagnostic document of the identified practices that facilitate or hinder certification. Includes an analysis of internal procedures, resource management, incentives and organizational culture, as well as preliminary recommendations for improvement.

F. Training Institutes and Academies report: Document with the results of the evaluation of the capacities of the police training institutes and/or academies, including an analysis of the available infrastructure, academic programs, and institutional capacity to meet certification requirements. Should include photographs and a list of identified needs.

G. Certification Process Map: Visual representation of the current certification processes in the selected agencies, highlighting key steps, times, required resources, and critical points.

H. Comparative Analysis Report: Document integrating results from the analysis of competencies assessed in the CUP, with recommendations on necessary adjustments or additions to ensure alignment with the skills required for criminal investigations.

I. Training Programs Report: document summarizing findings from the evaluation of training programs, detailing alignment with required competencies, and including an analysis of identified gaps in contents and recommendations for programs improvements.

J. Final report: A comprehensive document integrating from all activities, providing recommendations for improving the certification, training and professionalization processes for police officers. It should include an executive summary, relevant appendices, a suggested action plan and a bibliography of consulted sources.

K. Executive presentation of results: An executive presentation summarizing the most important findings from the evaluation; including but not limited to identified barriers, best practices, training gaps, and strategic recommendations to improve the certification process for polices investigators and preventive police officers.

12. VAT AND IMPORTATION TAXES / DUTIES RECLAMATION

VAT reclamation. Value Added Tax (VAT) is 16% or the one stated in the Value Added Mexican Law Tax (VAT: http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/77_230421.pdf), for payments associated with the in-country purchases of goods, materials or services http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/pdf/77_230421.pdf

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be required to perform this contract.

The Contractor shall follow the invoicing procedures established by INL to allow the U.S.

Embassy Mexico to reclaim the IVA/VAT taxes charged. VAT, or “IVA” as it is known in Mexico, shall be itemized in all invoices. For the Contractor to claim VAT on its invoices, the Contractor is required to obtain an invoice, “Factura”, from a Mexican Company that complies with all the requirements of the article 29 A of the Mexican Fiscal Code or obtain a VAT Registration Identification Number from the Secretaría de Hacienda y Crédito Público (aka Hacienda/SAT) to emit its own facturas.

The Contractor shall provide the necessary invoicing requirements to enable the USG to obtain reimbursement for VAT. This reimbursement benefit is extended only to the U.S.

Government – not the Contractor – as a diplomatic privilege. The following/current Factura´s requirements are outlined in the paragraphs below.

All Facturas, the Contractor delivers to the U.S. Government shall be in accordance with VAT Mexican Tax regulations (VAT:

http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/liva.htm) and Mexican Fiscal Code (MFC:

http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cff.htm).

The Contractor’s failure to follow these procedures shall result in the U.S. Government’s inability to secure tax reimbursement on this contract, resulting in VAT payment in the Invoice being denied to the Contractor. Facturas for the in-country purchases described above shall include only charges authorized in this contract. Such Facturas shall list separately or collectively the pre-tax price of any supplies or services provided in country.

As it is required by local authorities, the Contractor shall impose the appropriate tax rate against the pre-tax total of the purchases represented on the Factura. The Contractor shall submit the invoices associated with such purchases as supporting documentation for its in- country payment request. The USG shall only compensate the Contractor for the tax amount provided on such Facturas and in any case VAT reimburse won’t exceed the amount authorized in the contract for this purpose.

VAT on items such as Contractor personnel housing, personal vehicles, utilities, phone charges, per diem, etc. are excluded from reimbursement.

All Facturas shall be addressed to “Embajada de los Estados Unidos de Norteamerica” as stated in the below requirements.

The Contractor´s Factura shall provide at least the following in accordance with article 29 A of the Fiscal Mexican Code:

http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/liva.htm http://www.diputados.gob.mx/LeyesBiblio/ref/cff.htm

This document is a draft SOW intended for use as part of a Request for Information notice. It has been developed by the Government for market research purposes only. Nothing in this document can be construed to bind the Government in any way. A formal solicitation for this requirement may follow.

• Issuer’s name and address.

• Issuer’s Federal Tax Registry Number (RFC) (aka Certificate of Fiscal Identification).

• Photo image of Federal Tax Registry card (aka Certificate of Fiscal

Identification) on the invoice.

• Invoice number and complete transaction date (month, day, and year). Also needed is the date and place of issue (Lugar y fecha de expedición). The two dates shall be the same.

• Required legal wording that addresses the illegal reproduction of the document. The printing company information shall annex the date of printing and official authorization number.

• Customer ´s Name: “Embajada de Estados Unidos de Norteamérica.”

• U.S. Embassy R.F.C. Number: EEU930201289.

• Quantity and description of acquired services or merchandise.

• If applicable, the number and date of customs import documents associated with all sales of imported merchandise.

• Invoice(s) received in Mexican pesos shall also include, in the legend, the date and exchange rate used when the invoice was emitted by the Mexican company. The exchange rate noted on the Mexican company’s invoice will be used to reimburse VAT to contractors.

• Invoice shall say “FACTURA.” All digital invoices (“FACTURAS”) shall be presented to the Embassy/ Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

• The tax-relief invoice shall be written in English and Spanish versions.

• Invoice shall have a valid digital seal.

• This contract is priced and paid only in U.S. dollars.

The requirements above apply to all supplies and services purchased in Mexico that are provided to the USG as part of this contract. All IVA/VAT documentation shall be submitted to the COR for approval and submission to Hacienda at the time of the invoice request for payment. All electronic invoices should be submitted to DOSPayments@state.gov with a copy sent to the CO and COR.

mailto:DOSPayments@state.gov