ATT 4 TO3_IRO DRAFT AAS SOO_081424.docx

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

FOR

ADVISORY & ASSISTANCE SERVICES (A&AS) TO THE

DEFENSE THREAT REDUCTION AGENCY (DTRA)

INFORMATION RESILIENCE OFFICE (IRO)

HDTRA1-24-R-0057

14 August 2024

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The SI Directorate focuses the Agency’s operations, activities and investments in a way that maximizes their cumulative effect in support of all our warfighting customers. The Information Resilience Office (IRO) assists DTRA by enduring DTRA and its partners are resilient in the information environment, connecting messaging to action to achieve integrated deterrence

2.0 BACKGROUND

The IRO serves as a focal point to institutionalize capabilities across the Agency to address the threat of FMI. The IRO supports Operations in the Information Environment (OIE) and adheres to its limited authorities that governs OIE. The IRO does not conduct traditional “information operations,” but rather takes a more comprehensive approach by leveraging existing capabilities inside the Agency as well as entities with existing authorities to operate in the information environment. The IRO has an established charter with a strategic framework, and there are five lines of effort (LOE’s) key to implementing Information Resilience initiatives:

· LOE 1 – Characterize the Information Environment

· LOE 2 – Create an Information Advantage

· LOE 3 – Empower Allies and Partners

· LOE 4 – Protect the Agency

· LOE 5 – Support External Relationships and Authorities

3.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this requirement is to acquire subject matter expertise to provide fully integrated Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) to the Strategic Integration Information Resilience Office (SI-IRO in support of the DoD Combat Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) mission.

SI-IRO proactively anticipates, prepares, and adapts to changing global information environment conditions to better defend the Agency, its people, and its partners in the face of Foreign Malign Influence (FMI) activities.

4.0 SCOPE

This is a non-personal service contract. The scope is focused on providing fully integrated Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) support to the SI Directorate in the daily performance and execution support of the DoD CWMD mission. As envisioned and intended by this SOO, the performer shall provide on-site support to DTRA for counter WMD and emerging WMD threats planning support for DoD components, support of DTRA’s internal plans and opportunity analysis efforts in support of the CCMDs, support management and execution of DTRA’s annual Joint Training Plan, and support DTRA internal operations.

5.0 APPLICABLE DIRECTIVES (AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST)

· DoD Strategy for Operations in the Information Environment, July 2023

· DTRA Information Resilience Office Charter, March 2023

· Information Resilience Strategic Framework, December 2022

· Information Resilience Implementation Plan, September 2023

· Joint Publication 3.04, Information in Joint Operations, 2022

· Joint Publication 5.0, Joint Planning, December 2020

· DoD Directive 3115.18 DoD Access to and Use of Publicly Available Information (PAI), June 2019, Change 1 August 2020

6.0 REQUIREMENTS

DTRA is planning multiple full time equivalent (FTE) contractor support employees, with options for future growth and/or surge capacity should needs change. The following performance requirements and standards apply to all FTEs. The following is a summary of the performance requirements for execution of the task order (TO) issued under this Statements of Objectives (SOO).

6.1 Training Support: Support for analytical, technical, and administrative day-to-day activities, which includes implementing internal and foreign partner training initiatives at DTRA.

6.1.1 Develop training curriculum based on OSD Policy and IRO Guidance. This may include developing, evaluating, and recommending training requirements, objectives, and decision criteria for each curriculum, as agreed upon by the DTRA. Support mission analysis, COA development, and evaluation, as required. Develop a detailed schedule for each training curriculum, including milestones and options. Present the schedule and milestones in a clear, concise format, using Microsoft Suite. Coordinate meetings, assist with logistics, and assemble training material and curriculum development, as agreed upon by the DTRA. Prepare PowerPoint presentations, including informational and decisional briefings, along with those required for reoccurring working group meetings. Use Microsoft Suite tools to capture, analyze, and present quantitative data. Present the data in a clear, concise format, as agreed upon by the DTRA. Evaluate and monitor the training program's effectiveness through administration of pre- and post-training assessments and make recommendations for improvement. Provide on-site support during training events, including setting up equipment, managing logistics, and providing technical assistance. Develop and maintain up-to-date training materials for each curriculum, including lesson plans, student guides, and instructor guides. Ensure that training materials are accessible to DTRA personnel, including remote access; and coordinate translation internally as needed. Effectively communicate with DTRA personnel orally and in writing.

6.2 Message with Mission (MWM)/ Information Advantage (IA) Support: Support for day-to-day analytical, technical, and advisory activities and surge activities related to creating an information advantage for the Agency.

6.2.1 Synchronize and coordinate information capabilities. Perform and provide quantitative and qualitative assessments to the Government in support of strategic planning and crisis events. Provide subject matter expertise to identify and create concepts, activities, actions, and plans to assist DTRA Directorates with messaging concepts. Track, analyze, and maintain visibility on Agency Operations, Activities, and Investments (OAIs). Communicate daily about OAIs and provide written assessments in DTRA specified format. Support the application development of data visualization tools (i.e. SharePoint, survey tools, application coding and functions and geospatial information systems) to facilitate interagency data sharing and collaboration on key FMI-related issues. Develop executive-level presentations and written reports for senior leaders. Attend briefings with Government staff to inform and advise them, using OIE expertise. Provide analysis and recommendations on information advantage activities in written reports, as required. Ensure that OIE databases are accurate, up-to-date, and secure. Provide regular reports to the Government on OIE data, including trends and emerging issues. Provide subject matter expertise and technical analysis to support studies and evaluations.

6.3 Technology / Characterization Tool Support: Support for technology, characterization, and tool support by reviewing technical capabilities and assisting with technology assessment and solution development.

6.3.1 Provide recommendations and SME guidance and advice for technology concepts. Support hands-on evaluation of COTS/GOTs tools and tool products. Provide written assessments and/or recommendations for improvement. Specify standing and ad-hoc characterization requests to tool operators and integrate results with other relevant data sources and subject matter expertise. Provide inputs to and support development of periodic characterization products for agency use. Evaluate the potential impact of emerging technologies on DTRA missions and operations on the IE. Provide subject matter expertise and technical analysis to support studies and evaluations. Support the application development of data visualization tools (i.e. SharePoint, survey tools, application coding and functions and geospatial information systems) to facilitate interagency data sharing and collaboration on key FMI-related issues.

6.4 Exercise / Campaign Implementation Support: Support for day-to-day analytical, technical, and advisory activities and surge activities as it relates to ensuring information resilience initiatives are incorporated into the Agency’s planning, campaigning, exercising, and crisis response activities. This shall include support to the Agency process to identify, analyze, adjudicate, and document requirements.

6.4.1 Collaborate with Agency personnel to identify requirements for incorporating information resilience initiatives into Agency campaigns, plans, and exercises. Support the development of IE injects and scenarios for Agency exercises. Track Agency exercises and supporting Information Environment injects, as appropriate, for CCMD consideration. Provide Information Resilience support to Agency working groups and teams, including crisis support activities, Operations Planning Teams (OPT) and agency campaign implementation efforts. Participate in the development of DTRA information resilience policies, guidance, and procedures, as requested. Develop criteria for measuring the effectiveness of information resilience initiatives and identify opportunities for improvement.

6.5 Strategic OIE Initiatives and Assessment Support: Support for day-to-day analytical, technical, and advisory activities and surge activities as related to identifying, developing, and sequencing DTRA information environment campaigns to create information advantages for the Agency. Provide daily monitoring of the foreign information environment using COTS or other analytic tools and provide assessment products to be shared with internal DTRA and DoD customers.

6.5.1 Research, analyze, and deeply understand foreign narratives aimed at DTRA and its partners, to include the complex issues/problems areas for the CWMD COI, CCMD, and DoD components. Participate in, or when approved by the Government, coordinate the execution of engagements with USG and international partners and stakeholders to gain first-hand knowledge of stakeholder activities and enablers on FMI topics. Participate in the preparation and execution of formal and informal briefings.

6.5.2 Develop, compile, and maintain a database of foreign information environment narratives with DTRA and partner equities. Compile daily, weekly, bi-monthly, and summaries of foreign information environment narratives, tracking trends, baseline narrative detection and deviation, and customized / tailored products for integration into DTRA’s campaign approach.

6.6 Contract Acquisition Support: Provide technical and administrative support to federal acquisition of IRO-funded activities. Support the program manager, information resilience officers, and Contracting Officer Representatives (PM/COR) with cradle-to-grave activities regarding Government contracting, Interagency agreements, and Economy Act actions.

6.6.1 Provides expertise in Federal contracting process and policy/guidance to ensure contracting processes adhere to U.S. Federal Regulation, Public Law, and DoD policy/guidance. Completes, as necessary and in conjunction with assigned USG PM/COR and Contracting Officer (KO), all preparatory actions, pre-award activities, contract monitoring, and post award activities. Supports internal portfolio reviews and improvements. Supports data capture/management in support of long-term information resilience activities. Support tasks include processing of contacts paperwork, submission of data into repositories, and monitoring statuses of acquisition activities.

6.7 SME Reachback Support: Provide short-term, project-specific support to IRO initiatives not covered in Sections 6.1 through 6.6. This includes OIE experts who provide consultancy services to major IRO initiatives and provide specialized and unique expertise for short-term duration. (Note: this could be a pool of available hours from which to bring on SME’s for short-term or part-time duration to address changing and/or emerging priorities and requirements.)

7.0 CAPABILITIES AND DISCIPLINES

Disciplines pertinent to the requirements identified above include, but are not limited to the following:

7.1 Information Resilience / Operations in the Information Environment: Strategic and operational analysis for OIE, Operational planning for OIE, Information Operations, CWMD and Arms Control Expertise (NPT, CWC, BWC), Strategic Communication, Marketing, Journalism, Counter propaganda / FMI training internally and externally with foreign partners, Campaign Planning and concept development and execution, Public Affairs, OIE Policy Integration and Analysis, Publicly Available Information, Open-Source or classified intelligence analysis of FMI, Reachback Support.

8.0 PLACE OF PERFORMANCE AND TRAVEL

The primary place of performance is on-site at Government-provided office space at the DTRA Headquarters, located at Fort Belvoir, Virginia with work performed at alternate locations due to necessary incidents of travel or occasional incidents of telework. The government will provide limited on-site workspace for a subset of A&AS personnel in performance of this contract. Support at DTRA remote locations may be required. This sort of support can be accomplished via Skype, Video Teleconferencing (VTC), Teams, or other COR approved method.

Where the government does not provide on-site space, the government expects the Contractor to have contractor supplied office space within the National Capital Region (NCR), or near the location the Contractor is supporting as identified in this SOO and or Task Order, so the government has access to the contractor within reasonable time frames. For off-site personnel, the contractor shall provide, at a minimum the standard business equipment (telephone, computers, desks, internet access, etc.) to conduct normal business activities. The contractor will not be providing office space for Government employees other than conference room space or courtesy offices (telephones, computers) for those attending conferences/meetings at cleared contractor facilities.

Some contractors will be required to travel CONUS and OCONUS during the performance of this contract to attend meetings, conferences, and training. The contractors may be required to travel to off-site locations in support of this PWS. Contractor’s will be authorized travel expenses consistent with the substantive provisions of the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) and the limitation of funds specified in this contract. All travel requires Government approval/authorization and notification to the COR.

8.1 Telework: The contractor will predominately work at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency HQ, Fort Belvoir, VA. The Contractor must maintain an adequate work force for the uninterrupted performance of all deliverables defined within this SOO when the Government facility is not closed for the reasons below. The contractor shall support the Program during the core Government hours. Contractor employees shall provide 80 hours of services for each two-week period, between the hours of 6:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday, excluding Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, Executive Orders, or similar Government directed facility closings, adhering to the core hours requirement of 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Under special circumstances (i.e., inclement weather, Agency Directive) or, with prior approval from the Contracting Officer and COR (at the discretion of the supporting client's mission priorities), the contractor employee MAY be directed to situationally telework off-site. In the event teleworking off-site is approved, the contractor employee will be allowed to take a laptop computer off-site to accomplish work required under the contract. Contractor personnel will not provide support on Federal Holidays, unless authorized and directed by the Contracting Officer or COR in cases of national emergency or mission requirements for purposes of DTRA’s continuity of operations.

9.0 SECURITY REQUIREMENTS

The contractor shall comply with all terms of the DD 254, the 32 CFR Part 117, and any revision to that regulation in performance of this effort. All employees working on this program must be U.S. citizens.

Approximately eighty percent (80%) of all A&AS contractors directly supporting the SI Directorate must possess a current DoD TOP SECRET clearance and investigation date and have SCI eligibility at time of contract award. The remaining 20% must possess a current DOD SECRET clearance and able to obtain a TS/SCI. Contractor employees shall maintain their clearance throughout this effort’s POP. A Visitor Request must be provided for each contractor employee working on this order who will require access to any DTRA site. Site-specific facility clearance is required at the SECRET level. Approval regarding invited contractors, access, issuance of badges, etc. will be coordinated as required with the COR. The Contractor shall provide all forms and information, apply for clearances and shall be responsible for any expense incurred in obtaining security clearances for the Contractor employees.

10.0 ACCESSIBILITY TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

For contractors located off-site (i.e., not provided office space at the Government facilities) access to unclassified and classified computing systems will be required. The contractor off-site facilities shall meet the following requirements:

NIPRNet Access to the DTRA Unclassified Network (UNET).

Contractors shall provide sufficient Internet bandwidth to dedicate a minimum of 15Mbps for secure access to the DTRA-UNET via a commercial Internet service provider. All systems which access the DTRA-UNET network will be kept up to date with security patches and shall have the appropriate Virtual Private Network (VPN) client loaded to enable access.

As appropriate, government furnished equipment (GFE) will be made available for A&AS personnel at Government facilities and in some cases to A&AS personnel not located at Government facilities.

11.0 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

11.1 Contracting Officer (KO) Defined. A person duly appointed with the authority to enter into, administer, or terminate contracts and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Government. The KO ensures performance of all necessary actions for effective contracting, ensures compliance with the terms of the contract, and safeguards the interests of the United States in the contractual relationship. It is the KO that ensures the contractor receives impartial, fair, and equitable treatment under the contract. The KO is ultimately responsible for the final determination of the adequacy of the contractor’s performance.

11.2 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Defined. An individual designated in writing by the KO to act as the KO’s authorized representative to assist in administering a contract and to act as the KO’s authorized representative for the contract’s technical administration. The duties and limitations of the COR are contained in a written KO designation letter. The COR ensures proper Government surveillance of the contractor’s performance. The COR is not empowered to make any contractual commitments or to authorize any contractual changes on the Government’s behalf. Any changes that the Contractor deems may affect contract, price, terms, or conditions shall be referred to the KO for action. While the COR may serve as a direct conduit to provide Government guidance and feedback to the contractor on technical matters, s/he is not empowered to make any contractual commitments or to authorize any contractual changes on the Government’s behalf.

11.3 Period of Performance (POP) and Changeover Period. The period of performance shall be for one (1) Base Year of 12 months and four (4) 12-month option years. The Period of Performance reads as follows:

Base Year = 12 months Option 1 Year = 12 months.

Option 2 Year = 12 months.

Option 3 Year = 12 months.

Option 4 Year = 12 months.

11.4 Transition Period for Contractor Employees. To ensure uninterrupted support, and a successful knowledge transfer, a 30-business day transition period is required between any individual contractor employee transitions.

11.5 Government Furnished Property/Equipment (GFP/GFE) & Office Space. DTRA will provide office space, desks, monitors, use of telephone, copier, fax, paper, and other administrative materials for on-site contractor support. DTRA will issue contractors a laptop as GFP. Due to potential future space limitations at the DTRA Headquarters, contractor employees may be required to telework off site, and/or “hot seat” one office space between them. If the contractor employees “hot seat”, the contractor shall determine the work schedule amongst their employees, and keep the COR informed. Pricing for teleworking off-site shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

11.6 Monthly Status Report and Monthly Financial Report. The contractor shall provide a Monthly Status Report via email to the COR, no later than 15 business days after the last business day of each month. Contractor format is acceptable, pending review and acceptance by the COR. The cover page should include the contract number, company name, date submitted, dates of the period being reported, and the preparer’s name/email address/phone number. The contents shall be concise and detailed. It should identify applicable dates, directorate POC/office symbol, detailed explanations of any problems and/or accomplishments, impacts, corrective actions taken/planned, final resolution, lessons learned, etc.

The final topic it shall include is an employee status. This includes a summary of current staffing, any time out of the office for each employee, as well as a status of employees transitioning in and out.

The monthly financial report shall be submitted with the monthly report but may be under separate cover. This report will outline in plain language expenditures for the month, by employee and project.

The Government will have five business days after receipt to review and provide comments and/or approval. If the contractor does not receive feedback in that time frame, the contractor may assume approval of the report. If the contractor receives comments, resubmittal should be accomplished within three business days.

11.7 Section 508. Requirements for accessibility based on Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794d) are determined to be relevant for this acquisition and program management support services effort.

11.8 Full-Time Support. Full-time support is defined as a physical on-site presence, eight hours per day, every DTRA workday, during DTRA’s core hours of 9am to 3pm. For example, with a 30-minute lunch break, s/he could work 9:00am – 5:30pm; or with an hour lunch break, 6:00am – 3:00pm.

An alternate work schedule may be authorized, if pre-coordinated with the company’s supervisor and the COR. For example, in a two-week period, the following could apply -> Week 1: Monday - Thursday 9 hours/day & Friday 8 hours/day; Week 2: Monday - Thursday 9 hours/day & Friday off.

Teleworking off-site may be authorized, if pre-coordinated with the company’s supervisor and the COR. Pricing for teleworking off-site shall be at no additional cost to the Government. Ideally, no more than one workday per a five-day work week shall be permitted, unless otherwise pre-coordinated with the company’s supervisor and the COR. In addition, at the request of the COR, the contractor may be asked to submit a Work Plan for what was accomplished on that telework day.

Vacation, sick, alternate schedule, and teleworking days should be documented in the Monthly Status Report for situational awareness.

11.8.1 Contractor Performance during Adverse Weather, Natural and Man-made Disasters, Emergencies, or Conflict. When government offices are closed due to adverse weather conditions (e.g., snow storms, ice storms, hurricanes, etc.), special events, natural or man-made disasters, or local or national emergencies, with government Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) or Contracting Officer’s approval, the DTRA on-site Contractor Representative will have authorization to work and use their government issued computer off-site at either their company office or teleworking (TW) at home to complete work under this contract. This procedure also applies to natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, fires, loss of power, etc.), man- made disasters of an unspecified nature, or conflict, attack (e.g., September 11th), or acts of war or insurgency that may require closure of the DTRA facility and prevent the Contractor from working on-site. Special national capital region high profile area events may also occur when federal authorities request employees to not travel to work but work at home, and this section also covers those contingencies.

11.9 Required In-House DTRA Training. The contractor shall adhere to DTRA’s standard training and education topics that are required for all personnel working at the Agency. Examples include Cyber Awareness training, Personally Identifiable Information (PII) training, Prevention of Harassment, etc.

11.10 Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA). Each contractor employee shall sign an NDA, provided by the COR, by their first workday at DTRA under this contract, to ensure no improper disclosure of sensitive information.

12.0 RELATED DOCUMENTS

Defer to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, https://www.dtra.mil/ for additional information on DTRA and its mission.

13.0 KEY PERSONNEL

The personnel identified herein are considered essential to the work being performed. In the event changes to key personnel are required during the performance of this contract, replacement key personnel must meet or exceed the experience and qualifications of the individual the contractor included in its proposal submittal. Prior to substituting, removing, replacing, or diverting any key personnel, the Contractor shall notify the Contracting Officer 30 working days in advance. The Contractor shall submit to the Contracting Officer the resume of the replacing individual that demonstrates skills and background at least equivalent to those of the individual the contractor included in its proposal. The Contracting Officer will evaluate the replacing person's resume to determine the experience and qualifications of the replacement are equal to or exceed those of the person's resume submitted with the contractor's proposal for that position. For the purposes of this contract and in addition to one (1) Program Manager, there are two (2) additional key personnel; two (2) for Section 6.5 Strategic OIE Initiatives Support. Full descriptions are below:

Section 6.5 Strategic OIE Initiatives Support: This Key Personnel will have a minimum of ten (10) years of experience related to Operations in the Information Environment, to include both classified and unclassified programs, operations, and strategic assistance and recommendations. The Senior OIE Analyst will have a combination of several of the following desired skill sets and experience: operational planning for OIE; CWMD; Treaty and Arms Control Expertise (NPT, CWC, BWC); Strategic Communication; knowledge of Public Affairs; OIE Policy Integration and Analysis; authorities regarding the use of Publicly Available Information, Open-Source, or classified intelligence analysis of FMI. The Senior OIE analyst will directly support the IRO Chief and will also provide advice and assistance to the entire IRO team.

Section 6.5 Strategic OIE Initiatives Support: This Key Personnel will have a minimum of five (5) to fifteen (15) years of experience with the following one or several skillsets: Operations in the Information Environment, operational planning for OIE or CWMD; intelligence experience with adversary WMD programs or FMI; CWMD; Treaty and Arms Control Expertise (NPT, CWC, BWC); Strategic Communication; knowledge of Public Affairs; OIE Policy Integration and Analysis; authorities regarding the use of Publicly Available Information, Open-Source or classified intelligence analysis of FMI.

13.1 Substitution of Key Personnel. The Contractor shall not substitute Key Personnel during the first ninety (90) days of the task performance period unless the substitutions are unavoidable because of the incumbent's sudden illness, death, or termination of employment; contractor shall promptly notify the COR. After the initial 90-day period, the contractor shall submit to the COR all proposed substitutions at least 30 days in advance. All requests for approval of substitutions hereunder must be in writing and provide a detailed explanation of the circumstances necessitating the proposed substitution(s). Request must contain a complete resume for the proposed substitute, who shall have at least equal ability and qualifications, and any other information requested by the Contracting Officer to approve or disapprove the proposed substitution. The Contracting Officer and COR will evaluate such requests and promptly notify the contactor of approval or disapproval thereof, in writing.

13.2 Other than Key Personnel. Vacant positions for other than key personnel shall be made within 20 calendar days from date of vacancy. The contractor shall notify the COR and customer when a vacancy has occurred within five workdays.