Performance Work Statement

Joint Special Operations Task Force - Somalia Cultural/Political Advisors Position

5MAY2026

1. BACKGROUND:

1.1 Joint Special Operations Task Force - Somalia (JSOTF-SOM) and subordinate commands require three (3) Cultural/Political Advisors who maintain contact with members of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS), as well as civic and tribal leaders at regional, and local levels of government. This effort will allow JSOTF-SOM to successfully conduct its mission with an understanding of local customs, history, cultural routines, tribal dynamics, local government, and the socio-cultural context in which operations are being planned and conducted. This requirement includes the ability to provide Somali to English / English to Somali linguist capabilities, and to advise and assist JSOTF-SOM Leadership in communication concerning culture, politics, and operations between to and from members of the Government of Somalia.

2. OBJECTIVES:

2.1 JSOTF-SOM and subordinate commands require three (3) Cultural/Political Advisors with experience supporting United States Joint Special Operations Forces, and who possess the aptitude, knowledge, interpersonal skills, linguistic ability, and established relationships necessary to provide access, influence, and operational support. Advisors shall provide cultural context, arrange, and facilitate high level key leader engagements and provide linguistic support while serving as liaisons.

3. SCOPE:

3.1 This Performance Work Statement (PWS) sets forth the requirements for the

Cultural/Political Advisors herein referred to as the “Contractor” who shall provide services at the locations identified. The Contractor shall provide personnel able to serve as Somali Cultural/Political Advisors to assist the headquarters of JSOTF-SOM and subordinate commands, herein referred to as “JSOTF-SOM”, in the activities identified in Section 4. The Contractor shall provide all equipment, tools, materials, and other items necessary to perform Cultural/Political Advisory services, interpretation, translation, and linguist services as defined in this PWS except those listed under the Government Furnished Equipment section of this PWS. Government housing and meals shall be provided at the primary place of performance. Additionally, if available, usage of postal services, morale welfare and recreation services, and the military exchange shall be provided to contractor personnel.

4. REQUIREMENTS:

4.1 The Contractor shall provide Cultural /Political Advisors able to complete the duties as outlined below.

4.1.1 Serve as Somali Cultural/Political Advisors to JSOTF-SOM.

4.1.2 Advise/assist JSOTF-SOM Senior Leadership during interactions with the FGS.

4.1.3 Facilitate Somali to English and English to Somali language interpretation and translations.

4.1.4 Develop a thorough understanding of all Title 10 USC Section 127e matters in accordance with applicable Department of Defense and United States Joint Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) directives and policies in order to advise JSOTF-SOM Senior Leadership.

4.1.5 Apply knowledge of U.S military operations/policy and Somali culture/politics on a daily basis.

4.1.6 Collaborate with United States and Somali Government personnel to research and support the preparation of reporting products associated with JSOTF-SOM Headquarters.

4.1.7 Develop a thorough understanding of JSOTF-SOM campaign plans and military objectives. Utilize this knowledge to identify, evaluate, provide analysis, and advise on best practices. Analyze the needs and assist in defining opportunities for improvement as it relates to JSOTF-SOM ongoing interactions with the FGS.

4.1.8 Contractor personnel shall have a minimum of three years’ work experience as a cultural advisor in Somalia.

4.1.9 Contractor personnel shall have an active TS/SCI security clearance.

4.1.10 Contractor personnel shall have Interagency Language Roundtable level 3 proficiency in English and Somali.

5. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE AND CONTRACTORS TRAVEL:

5.1 Work under this contract will primarily take place in Mogadishu, Somalia.

Contractor is responsible for employee travel and related expenses to and from Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport for in/out-processing. Personnel will travel MILAIR to their place of duty with lodging, meals, and transportation provided by the US Government. The contractors may be required to travel on a limited basis to locations within Somalia, Djibouti, and Kenya. Travel away from Mogadishu is expected to involve 10 total trips per contract period (20 total trips per a year) for approximately 5 days per trip. One or more advisors may be required to support missions outside of Mogadishu. Operational requirements will dictate the number/duration of trips away from Mogadishu and the advisor support needed.

US Government will provide mission-related airfare, transportation, lodging, meals and any other associated mission essential equipment for periods of travel away from Mogadishu, Somalia. Work is often performed in austere locations and/or conducted under field conditions in locations with poor sanitation, extreme heat, and may at times involve personal danger. Access to medical treatment may not be readily available while performing duties.

6. WORK HOURS:

6.1 Normal work weeks consist of eight-hour days, seven days per week, for a total of 56 hours per week (9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Sunday).

6.2 Contractor is required to ensure at least two Somali Cultural/Political Advisors are always available for engagements and ensure periods of leave, sickness, and any other absences are covered.

6.3 Work hours may be changed and/or modified to meet schedules and rotation schedules.

6.4 Overtime (OT) is not required.

6.5 Each employee is allowed fifteen (15) days of leave per contract period six (6) months.

Contractor is responsible for transportation and all associated expenses.

7. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED EQUIPMENT:

7.1 All support equipment including workspace, computers, telephones, and access to printer/copier/fax are provided by the Government as required. The Contractor is responsible for the safe and secure storage of Government-furnished equipment; all Government equipment shall be returned at the conclusion of this effort.

Government housing and meals will be provided.

8. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED EQUIPMENT:

8.1 Contractor shall provide all necessary personal protective equipment required for operations in a combat zone. At a minimum, ear and eye protection, gloves, a combat helmet and a soft armor plate carrier vest shall be provided to each employee.

9. SECURITY:

9.1 Position requires a TOP SECRET/SENSITIVE COMPARTMENTED INFORMATION (TS/SCI) security clearance which shall be facilitated by the contractors. Position requires access to sensitive information related to National Security, intelligence, orstrategic technologies at the TOP SECRET/SCI level. Requires a single scope background investigation (SSBI) facilitated by the Contractor.

9.2 Security will be in accordance with the procedures noted in the respective DD254.

Contractor team individuals supporting this contract shall be cleared at the U.S. TOP SECRET level at the start of the period of performance (PoP). Contractor will require access to SCI, Foreign Government Information, NATO, and/or Focal Point material in performance of this effort. The work associated with this PWS shall be performed in accredited Government Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) in unescorted status. Contractor’s personnel shall be authorized to courier classified information up to the “Secret” level in performance of official duties upon approval of and nomination by the Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

9.3 The contractor shall ensure requirements for safeguarding classified information and classified materials, for obtaining and verifying personnel security clearances, for verifying security clearances and indoctrination of employees, for controlling access to restricted areas, for protecting government property, and for the security of automated and non‐automated management information systems and data are fulfilled. The contractor's management system shall prevent unauthorized disclosure of classified and sensitive unclassified information. The government shall be immediately notified if any security incident or any indication of a potential unauthorized disclosure or compromise of classified or sensitive unclassified information.

9.4 Personnel Security Clearance. Upon contract award, security clearance applications for all required personnel shall be completed in accordance with DoD 5220.22‐M, paragraph 2‐100 and instructions received from the cognizant Defense Industrial Security Officer (DISO), Defense Security Service (DSS). All required clearance actions shall be forwarded to the cognizant DISO. All other personnel (maintenance, etc.) are required to have a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI) or equivalent investigation for non‐US companies, in order to be issued a CAC. Non‐US companies shall provide a proof of eligibility determination equal to the United States National Agency Check, Law‐Check and Credit Check (NACLC) to obtain Secret Clearances.

9.5 Security Regulation Compliance. The Contractor shall comply with all security regulations and directives as identified herein and other security requirements in this contract specific to site locations of work.

9.5.1 Department of Defense (DoD) Security Regulation Guidance:

9.5.1.1 2000.16 (DoD Antiterrorism (AT) Standards)

9.5.1.2 5200.1-R (DoD Information Security Program)

9.5.1.3 5200.2-R (DoD Personnel Security Program)

9.5.1.4 5200.08-R (DoD Physical Security Program)

9.5.1.5 5220.22-M (National Industrial Security Program)

9.5.1.6 8500.1 (Information Assurance (IA))

9.5.1.7 2000.12 (DoD Antiterrorism (AT) Program)

9.5.1.8 8500.2 (Information Assurance (IA) Implementation)

9.5.2 DoD regulations found at: http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pub1.html

9.6 Facility Security Clearance. This contract requires access to classified information;

therefore, the company shall have a current TOP SECRET Facility Security Clearance (FCL) as accredited by the Defense Security Service (DSS). An FCL is an administrative determination that a company is eligible for access to classified information or award of a classified contract. Requirements are defined in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, (NISPOM) DoD 5220.22-M. Contractor shall inform the Contracting Officer of the correct address of any company agency requiring a facility clearance.

9.7 Personnel require access to workstations on the Secret Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET) to process sensitive information.

10. QUALITY ASSURANCE:

10.1 The contractor is required to deliver and have approved a quality control plan before services are started.

10.2 The Government reserves the right to perform surveillance to evaluate the

Contractor’s compliance to the contract terms and performance of the requirements in the PWS. The Government will make every effort to ensure that the surveillance methods used are conducted in an objective, fair, and consistent manner.

10.3 Contract Discrepancy Report (CDR).

10.3.1 In the event of unsatisfactory contractor performance, the KO will issue a CDR that will explain the circumstances and findings concerning the incomplete or unsatisfactory service. The contractor shall acknowledge receipt of the CDR and respond in writing as to how he/she shall correct the unacceptable performance and avoid a recurrence. The Government will review the contractor’s corrective action response to determine acceptability and will use any completed CDR as part of an overall evaluation of Contractor’s performance when determining present or future contractual actions.

11. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

11.1 The contract shall be for a 1 year Base Period, with two 1-year option periods.

11.2 Options may be exercised at the discretion of the government, with written notice to the contractor in accordance with the terms, and conditions of the contract.