A10 Sources Sought Notice_AWC Oral History.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES

ACQUISITION DIRECTORATE

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

General Information

Document Type: Sources Sought Notice Title: SY011720251450 - Afghanistan War Commission Oral History Project Sources Sought Post Date: February 24, 2025 Sources Sought Response Date: 02/28/2025 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time) NAICS Code: 541720 Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities Product Service Code: B599, Special Studies/ Analysis - Other

Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) Acquisition Directorate (AD) is conducting market research to locate qualified, experienced, and interested businesses from “all” sources, including Other than Small Businesses, Small Businesses, 8(a) Small Businesses, HUBZone Small Businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, Women-Owned Small Businesses and Economically Disadvantaged Women-owned Small Businesses to provide Afghanistan War Commission Oral History Project

Sources Sought Notice

This Sources Sought Notice is for informational purposes only. It is not to be construed as an obligation on the part of Washington Headquarters Services / Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD).

In order to proactively plan for future requirements, WHS/AD is conducting market research to locate qualified, experienced, and interested firm who have the capability to provide Afghanistan War Commission Oral History Project. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 541720 Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities with a size standard of $28 Million.

The Government anticipates a requirement with a one-year base period and one-year option period. The anticipated requirement has an estimated value ranging from $300,000.00 to $340,000.00.

This Sources Sought Notice is not a request for proposal (RFP), nor does it restrict the Government as to the final acquisition strategy. No contract will be awarded from this announcement. At this time, no solicitation exists. Therefore, please do not request a copy of the solicitation. Responses in any form are not offers.

The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in the preparation of a response to this Notice.

Background

The Afghanistan War Commission, a bipartisan legislative body established by the U.S. Congress in December 2021, is tasked with conducting a thorough review of key decisions regarding U.S. military, intelligence, foreign assistance, and diplomatic activities in Afghanistan from June 2001 to August 2021.

The Commission is required to submit a report to Congress within three years of its initial meeting, detailing its findings, recommendations, and lessons learned.

Provide support services to conduct and record oral history interviews that captures diversely situated

Afghans affected by the war, provide insight into the human impact of the conflict in Afghanistan, and support the AWC by preparing a report that summarizes the key themes in the interviews and the observations of the research team.

The services to be performed include conducting oral history interviews with as many as 100 Afghans diversely situated in terms of age, occupation, gender, and intensity of the conflict experienced in their geographic region. The contractor shall collect and curate these stories, with measures in place to ensure secure storage of the interviews, along with anonymity and security for the participants. The interviews will be transcribed and translated into English for use in preparation of the AWC report and other AWC products, to be provided as they become available between July 1st and December 31st, 2025. Along with the delivery of the last transcripts, the Contractor will prepare a brief report summarizing the key themes and topics discussed in the interviews, as well as insights gleaned from spatial analysis, language modeling, and qualitative analysis of the transcripts. Independently, the Contractor plans to prepare a manuscript for publication regarding the project and its findings, to be published no sooner than the AWC report. A copy of this manuscript will be provided to the AWC.

Mandatory Service Requirements

Special Qualifications

The contractor must have oral history training and oral history research experience. Contractor’s training experience must include record of overseeing accredited oral history education program, as well as workshops on oral history interviewing and project administration in conflict zones.

Research scientists must have track record of successfully designing and conducting large-scale population-based oral history projects. That experience must include a demonstrated ability to:

design field-defining projects that reflect an extensive record of publication and research in the social sciences and other disciplines;

design fieldwork that produces high-quality historical interviews regarding the experiences and memories of individuals representing multiple geographic and demographic criteria; and conduct, handle, curate, and preserve interviews in line with oral history best practices.

The field supervisor must have experience gaining permissions for travel and research in multiple localities of Afghanistan under the rule of the Taliban government post-2021.

Oral History interviewers must be trained in oral history methods and have experience engaging with and interviewing local communities impacted by conflict. They must be familiar with Afghanistan and its political and social dynamics. They must also be fluent in the language of the communities they will be engaging with.

The interpreters and translators must be fluent in the languages of the interviewees as well as English, and be familiar with linguistic and dialectic differences among and within languages spoken in Afghanistan.

Service Requirement Critical Tasks/Elements

Firms submitting a response to this Notice should address performance of the following Service Requirement Basic Services and Critical Tasks/Elements in their capabilities statement.

Critical Tasks/Elements:

Basic Services. The contractor shall provide services for AWC research by collecting and curating, through oral history interviews, the memories, insights and historical perspectives of diversely situated Afghans in Afghanistan. These interviews will incorporate the research objectives and questions of the

AWC.

Researcher Scientists

Survey available primary and secondary sources related to the U.S. War in Afghanistan and produce a historiographical analysis that illuminates: the representation of Afghan perspectives in existing treatments of the war and its outcomes; key variables and narrative arcs regarding the experiences of ordinary Afghans in the war; salient domains of inquiry regarding the experiences of ordinary Afghans in the war, particularly in high-conflict areas.

Survey available social scientific, public health, and other studies carried out in Afghanistan – especially those published after 2021 – to identify and access available data or datasets regarding the experiences of Afghans in the war. Domains of relevant data could include, for example:

demographic features of the Afghan population, public health data, conflict events and intensity in different regions.

Perform analysis of collected data and sources using diverse methodologies and techniques, in order to deepen understanding of the experience of ordinary Afghans, particularly in high-conflict areas. These methods might include geospatial analysis, network analysis, temporal analysis, and the application of Large Language Models.

Drawing on the analysis above, develop a blueprint document that outlines the project’s goals, criteria for narrator selection, and domains of inquiry which are sensitive to the overarching research objectives and questions of the AWC.

Identify narrator (oral history interviewee) population based on criteria established in the blueprint. These criteria might include, for example, gender, class, location, profession, age, or other factors relevant to the population’s experience in the war. The contractor will aim to record 25% of all interviews with female Afghan narrators, although the precise number may vary due to severe conditions of insecurity and restrictions on movement facing women in Afghanistan.

Develop and test an interview schematic that identifies root questions and possible follow-ups for use by interviewers. These questions will be based on the blueprint and informed by research needs of the AWC.

Prepare for the field supervisor a training curriculum for Afghan interviewers that introduces them to the aims of the project, familiarizes them with oral history methodology and best practices, and equips them with ways of crafting relevant questions in an oral history interview.

The training will also familiarize interviewers with specific technological needs required for field research. A version of the curriculum will be tailored for a female interviewer, informed by cultural practices and conditions of insecurity and restrictions on movement facing women in Afghanistan.

Create and translate a preface script for interviewers to read, which informs narrators of the interview purpose, the need for anonymity, and safeguards for security.

Design and oversee plan for population sampling based on criteria established in the blueprint and location of interviews relative to conflict intensity in specific regions. The plan will be used by interviewers to guide identifying and approaching narrators, and by the contractor to monitor progress of sampling. Plan and guidelines will be tailored for use by female interviewer, informed by cultural practices and conditions of insecurity and restrictions on movement facing women in Afghanistan.

Establish and oversee process for transcribing interviews, audit-editing them for fidelity to the audio recordings, and translating them to English.

Maintain contact with interviewers to provide feedback on sampling, interviewing, and troubleshooting logistical issues.

Provide secure and redundant storage of all materials including original audio and transcripts, and transcripts translated to English.

Create metadata and summary information to aid in curation and preservation of interviews.

Along with the delivery of the last tranche of transcripts, the contractor will prepare a brief report summarizing the key themes and topics discussed in the interviews, as well as insights gleaned from spatial analysis, language modeling, and qualitative analysis of the transcripts.

Project Manager

Oversee the execution of the contract, administration of funds, staffing coordination, delegation of responsibilities, and monitoring of identified requirements for the duration of the contract.

Field Supervisor

Travel to Kabul to establish in-country project infrastructure prior to fieldwork and later, as necessary, to ensure the completion of fieldwork.

Arrange meetings with, and seek permissions from, Afghanistan government authorities, to allow the work of the interviewers to proceed at the province and city level.

Identify up to four Afghan project interviewers living in Afghanistan, including at least one female interviewer, capable of collecting interviewers with narrator population identified in the project blueprint, across provinces Afghanistan’s Central, Southern, and North/East regions.

Working with Afghan interviewers, oversee logistics for fieldwork at the province and urban level.

Oversee logistics of locally transcribing interviews (i.e., spoken Pashto to written Pashto) while maintaining security of the materials.

Using curriculum developed by the contractor, train Afghan interviewers in oral history methods, familiarize them with technology required for fieldwork, and perform practice interviews.

While in Kabul and remotely, assist and provide guidance for interviewers as they extend invitations for project narrators; provide remote supervision, guidance, and troubleshooting for Afghan interviewers on the transmission of completed interviews.

Oral History Interviewers

Conduct as many as 100 interviews with a diverse population of Afghans about their memories and experiences in the war.

Male interviewers will travel to and collect interviews with male Afghans within provinces in three Afghan regions – Central, Southern, North/Eastern – and urban areas therein.

One female interviewer will work to record 25% of all project interviews with female Afghan narrators. The precise number and methods used to collect these interviews may vary due to severe conditions of insecurity and restrictions on movement facing women in Afghanistan.

Guided by Contractor’s design, identify and approach interviewees within local networks and clusters of individuals.

Using Contractor materials and training, obtain consent from interviewees, inform them of project’s purpose and importance of confidentiality.

Using handheld devices, for recording, perform oral history interviews of approximately 60-90 minutes with project narrators, Securely upload audio files for backup and transcription as soon as is feasible, ideally within 48 hours.

Interpreters and Translators

Transcribe audio interviews in their original language (e.g., Pashto, Dari), noting differences between spoken language and written forms.

At contractor facility, audit-edit the transcripts in their original language, by testing fidelity of a portion of the written transcripts to audio interviews.

Make minor edits or revisions to transcripts in original language for clarity, fidelity, and anonymity.

Perform and oversee translation of transcripts from the original language to English.

Oversee use of automated translation software as necessary, evaluating quality of translations based on knowledge of linguistic and dialectical differences in Afghanistan.

*Known travel locations are: The work to be performed under this contract will be performed remotely at the contractor facility, and with part of the work implemented in Afghanistan.

Instructions.

If your company is an interested business that has the capability to perform the Afghanistan War Commission’s Oral History Project; please send your capability statement to the following contact listed below: Contracting Officer, Steven Yang via email to whs.mc-alex.ad.mbx.ks@mail.mil Subject Line:

Response to Sources Sought SY011720251450 - Afghanistan War Commission Oral History Project

Respondents must submit documents in Word or PDF format. Neither zipped files will be accepted nor telephone requests be honored. Respondents are limited to 10 pages. A minimum font size 12, left justified, and one-inch margins all around.

Responses must be submitted no later than Tuesday, February 28,2025 at 9:00 AM (Eastern Standard Time). Capability statements will not be returned.

Please provide the following information:

1. Vendors shall address their capability in meeting each of the Mandatory Service Requirements, Special Qualifications, and Critical Task Elements listed above.

2. Company name and address.

3. UEI and CAGE Code Number.

4. Company Point of Contact, phone number and email.

5. NAICS codes associated with the company.

6. Business Size Status and Socio-economic categories associated with the company (e.g., 8(a), SDB, VOSB, WOSB, etc.) based on the NAICS: 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services. If the company is an 8(a) Joint Venture, please identify each member partner and the date the Joint Venture was established.

7. Identify contracts your company has been awarded under NAICS: 541720 Research and Development in the Social Science and Humanities Additional information on NAICS codes can be found at www.sba.gov.

8. Specific examples of prior efforts same/and or similar to Afghanistan War Commission Oral History Project as outlined in the Service Requirement Critical Tasks/Elements section of this document. The synopsis must include where, when, for whom each similar contract and/or project was performed, a brief description of each contract and/or project, including the size, scope, dollar value, and period of performance.

9. Recommended/suggested NAICS codes for this effort.

10. Recommended/suggested contract type (i.e. FFP, Cost, T&M, LOE, etc.).

11. Identify/Recommended Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWACS) that these services can be obtained based on the Service Requirement Critical Tasks/Elements section of this document.

Identify the GWACs contract number.

12. Identify if this requirement is commercial or non-commercial based on the Service Requirement Critical Tasks/Elements section of this document. Please specify why it is commercial and/or non-commercial.

13. Number of contracts currently held with the Government to include any Federal Supply Schedules listed under GSA Advantage.

14. Point of Contact, phone number, and emails of individuals who can verify the demonstrated capabilities identified in the responses.

15. Please provide feedback or questions regarding the Service Requirement Critical Tasks/Elements section of this document.

16. For overall requirement, or each task element, indicate any Small Business Participation opportunities and percentage of participation, as applicable.

Confidentiality Proprietary information and trade secrets shall NOT be submitted as part of a response. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing Sources Sought responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in 41 USC 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is submitted, as it is clearly stated this type of information shall NOT be submitted.

Contracting Office Address Washington Headquarters Services, Acquisition Directorate 4800 Mark Center, Suite 09F09 Alexandria, VA 22350

POINTS OF CONTACT:

Contact Specialist:

Andre Bland Email: Andre.r.bland3.civ@mail.mil

Contracting Officer:

Steven Yang Email: steven.yang3.civ@mail.mil

Small Business Specialist:

Tara Upchurch Email: tara.n.upchurch.civ@mail.mil