Global Advisory Draft Statement of Work (SOW).docx

Statement of Work for Global Advisory IDIQs December 2021

1. BACKGROUND:

The U.S. Department of State’s (DOS) Bureau of African Affairs (AF) and Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM) have ongoing needs for Professional Support Services to provide Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) advisory and reporting services. AF and PM anticipate services will include the following activities:

1. Provide advisory services to Host Governments, security force units, security organizations in OCONUS locations, as defined at the Task Order level;

2. Provide Site Coordinator Services, to monitor and observe Contractors and grantees at locations to be determined at the Task Order level;

3. Provide logistical pre-deployment and support services and life-support for all personnel performing under this contract;

4. Provide detailed reports to AF and PM, as required by Data Deliverables at the Task Order level;

5. Assist AF and PM in planning and facilitating conferences, workshops, and other engagements;

6. Provide qualified professional service employees to meet the mission objectives of AF and PM.

2. CAPABILITIES:

The Contractor shall provide advisory services through qualified personnel that provide guidance and assistance to DOS and OCONUS partners. The Contractor shall be knowledgeable about the diverse environments they will be expected to function in and attuned to the mores and customs of the countries in which they will operate. Further, they shall have a working knowledge of the languages, cultures, rules, regulations and practices of the various militaries and governments to which they will be exposed. They shall be aware of the austere conditions in, and difficult access to, many of the locales and countries in which they will be expected to perform. The Contractor shall also be knowledgeable of U.S. government rules, regulations, and requirements for operating in these environments.

The critical nature of the required services requires that the Contractor be capable of providing the highest quality services in a timely, cost effective, and professional manner, with effective standard operating procedures in place to reduce the Government’s administrative burden. Performance will be carefully monitored, and delays will not be tolerated. The Government may use cure notices and terminations for default if the contractor fails to perform in an acceptable manner. It is critical that the contractor have effective quality control procedures and processes in place.

3. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

It is anticipated that the proposed IDIQ contracts will be comprised of one (1) base period and four (4) one-year option periods.

4. REQUIREMENTS

4.1 Core Activities for Advisory Services

The Contractor shall provide advisory services through qualified personnel to provide guidance and assistance to the DOS and OCONUS partners. The Contractor shall be prepared to post advisors within Host Government institutions, organizations, and military units, including units deployed on operations. The Contractor advisory personnel shall be subject matter experts in one or more of the below core elements, as dictated by the unique requirements under each Task Order. Additional elements for advisory services may be determined at the Task Order level. The Contractor advisory personnel shall be required to advise and mentor Host Government officials and personnel on one or more of the core elements listed within section 4.1. Additional elements may be determined at the Task Order level. It should be anticipated that advisory Task Orders will be of extended duration, although exact deployment durations will be determined at the Task Order level. Although the exact requirements will vary at the Task Order level, generally, advisors shall be expected to: Assist the Host Nation to develop and implement sustainable institutions and national level strategies in the security sector that support good governance;

4.1.1 Assist the Host Nation to develop and implement sustainable institutions and national level strategies in the security sector that support good governance

4.1.2 Assist the Host Nation institutions/organizations/units to develop professional, effective, and accountable systems and doctrine related to the core elements listed within 4.1.

4.1.3 Assist the Host Nation to apply the skills acquired during previous training events in real-world and operational settings.

4.1.4 Assist the Host Nation personnel in adapting their tactics, techniques, and procedures to reflect changes in the operational environment.

4.1.5 Support U.S. foreign policy objectives by ensuring close coordination with the Embassy

While some advisory support activities may primarily take place in a traditional office setting, others will require that the contracted advisors operate primarily in the field alongside the Host Nation forces. The Contractor shall still be prepared to support its contracted advisory teams with the full range of equipment (including computers, personal protective equipment, reliable and secure communications, and other needed IT equipment), transportation (air, sea, and ground), and life-support services (shelter, rations, potable water, medical supplies, and medical evacuation services) required to carry out advisory activities in austere and dangerous conflict and post-conflict environments. It should be expected that the Host Nation forces will provide only force protection to the contracted advisory personnel.

Below are examples of the advisory services that may be required under the IDIQ; however, the following sections are not an exhaustive list of all the services that might be required under this IDIQ and additional advisory services may be determined at the task order level. All supplies and services that may properly support the work described below are within the scope of this contract.

4.1.6 Professional development programs

4.1.7 Budgeting and strategic planning

4.1.8 Project monitoring and surveillance

4.1.9 Doctrine development

4.1.10 Development of operational combat training centers

4.1.11 Evaluations and assessments

4.1.12 Logistics support and equipment maintenance

4.1.13 Military staff

4.1.14 Military justice

4.1.15 Military intelligence

4.1.16 Security sector reform

4.1.17 Interagency coordination and collaboration

4.1.18 Maritime security

4.1.19 Cybersecurity

4.1.20 Force development and management

4.1.21 Organizational assessment design and structuring

4.1.22 Professional military education systems/training institutions

4.1.23 Counterterrorism

4.1.24 Border management and security

4.1.25 Law enforcement

4.1.26 Inspector general institutions

4.1.27 Counterinsurgency

4.1.28 Peacekeeping and humanitarian affairs/aid

4.1.29 Military/security forces pay and human resources systems

4.1.30 Information operations

4.1.31 Intelligence analysis/collection

4.1.32 Cease-fire monitoring/verification processes

4.1.33 Human rights/Protection of civilians

4.1.34 Conference facilitation (e.g. maritime security conference)

4.1.35 Women, Peace and Security

4.2 Recruitment and Vetting

The Contractor shall be tasked with recruiting personnel with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to accomplish DOS foreign assistance objectives as specified at the Task Order level. The Contractor must be able to demonstrate that proposed candidates meet certain minimum requirements to include level of education, prior years of experience in particular sectors/organizations/geographic regions, foreign language abilities, management/leadership experience, specialized certifications, and medical fitness to live and work in austere environments of developing, fragile, post-conflict, and/or conflict-affected countries. The Contractor must be able to recruit and vet advisor candidates, justify their qualifications, and highlight ways in which candidates can bring additional benefits to the DOS foreign assistance program.

4.3 Pre-Deployment

Provide administrative and logistical support services that facilitate efficient deployment of advisors overseas. The Contractor shall provide all required support necessary to deploy advisors within 60 days of a task order award. Pre-deployment support must include:

4.3.1 Ensuring personnel have current and valid passports.

4.3.2 Ensuring appropriate visas for international travel.

4.3.3 Coordinating and obtaining screenings, testing, and meeting any other travel requirements imposed by the host country or otherwise necessary to ensure the traveler’s safety, including measures necessary for travel affected by epidemics and quarantine restrictions.

4.3.4 Ensuring personnel receive appropriate immunizations to mitigate health risks.

4.3.5 Ensuring personnel complete the online DOS Counter Threat Awareness Training (CTAT).

4.3.6 Facilitating administrative actions for personnel to receive necessary security clearance.

4.4 Logistical Support Services

The Contractor shall be tasked to perform a broad range of logistics and support services that are identified in Sections 4.4.1 – 4.4.4 but are not an exhaustive list of all logistical support services that will be required under this IDIQ. Additional logistical support supplies and services may be determined at the Task Order level. All supplies and services that may properly support the work described in Section 4.4.1 – 4.4.4 are within the scope of this contract.

4.4.1 Transportation

Provide ground, sea, and aviation transportation services. The Contractor shall provide all required support necessary to transport advisors and operational equipment to destinations required by the Task Order, to include labor, parts, material, fuel, transportation, drivers, and supervision. Transportation services will be designed to support mission requirements in the preparation and sustainment of operations. Individual Task Order requirements may require transportation to/from/between sites with underdeveloped infrastructure (e.g., dirt runways, poorly maintained roads). The Contractor shall be prepared to provide transportation support, to include:

4.4.1.1 Procurement of vehicles and drivers, both through leasing/rental arrangements and direct procurement.

4.4.1.2 Procurement of charter flights and commercial airfare for advisors and monitors.

4.4.1.3 Transportation of equipment (to include vehicles, personal protective equipment, communications, and information technology equipment).

4.4.1.4 Provision of medical evacuation support for personnel under this contract.

4.4.2 Operational Equipment

Provide operational equipment in support of mission requirements. The Contractor will be required to deliver the equipment directly to the mission area, using a combination of sea, air, and ground transportation as required. Equipment shall be delivered in fully operable condition, along with any spare parts specified at the individual Task Order level. All equipment provided shall be appropriate for use in austere, conflict and post-conflict environments in OCONUS locations. Operational equipment requirements may include:

4.4.2.1 Global positioning systems.

4.4.2.2 Accommodations equipment for contractor personnel (including tentage, containerized housing units, cots, storage).

4.4.2.3 Personal protective equipment (including helmets and body armor).

4.4.2.4 IT equipment (including laptops, printers, scanners, copiers, and digital cameras).

4.4.2.5 Communications equipment (including VHF and HF communications, satellite phones, and cell phones).

4.4.2.6 Regular connectivity to phone and internet services.

4.4.3 Sustainment Services

Provide sustainment services in support of mission requirements. For the majority of Task Orders, the Contractor will be able to source all sustainment services through the local economy, but the Contractor shall be prepared to provide these services in austere conflict and post-conflict environments in OCONUS locations. The Contractor shall be required to provide all labor, parts, material, fuel, transportation, drivers, and supervision necessary to execute these tasks. Constant coordination and collaboration with Host Nation/Partner Nation/regional mission leadership will be required in order to execute these tasks such that they address all mission requirements in a rapidly shifting operational environment. Sustainment services may include:

4.4.3.1 Laundry services

4.4.3.2 Provision of fresh and dry rations

4.4.3.3 Cleaning services for office space

4.4.3.4 Facilities management

4.4.3.5 Morale/health/welfare/recreation

4.4.3.6 Information management

4.4.3.7 Postal operations

4.4.3.8 Security support (only as requested)

4.4.3.9 Provision of portable water

4.4.3.10 Banking services

4.4.4 Housing and Office Space

The Contractor shall provide housing and office space to support mission requirements. The Contractor shall be required to provide necessary housing and office space at various locations, as required at the Task Order level. Housing and Office space may include:

4.4.4.1 Housing:

4.4.4.1.1 Air Conditioning

4.4.4.1.2 Temporary or containerized shelter

4.4.4.1.3 Portable Water

4.4.4.1.4 Furniture

4.4.4.1.5 Secure storage

4.4.4.1.6 Catering

4.4.4.1.7 Upgraded physical security measures

4.4.4.2 Office Space

4.4.4.2.1 Air Conditioning

4.4.4.2.2 Furniture

4.4.4.2.3 IT and communications infrastructure

4.4.4.2.4 Conference rooms/space

4.4.4.2.5 Upgraded physical security measures

4.5 Site Monitoring

The Contractor shall provide personnel capable of providing monitoring and observation services for all U.S. Government contractors and grantees within a specified place of performance. The place of performance for each Site Coordinator (SC) will be specified at the Task Order level.

The SC serves as an in-country observer to assist the Contracting Officer’s Representative by monitoring other DOS implementing partners’ performance of technical requirements, by providing findings and recommendations to the COR, and by assisting in the implementation of COR-approved changes. The SC is not authorized to direct other DOS implementing partners to begin work, adjust funding levels, alter periods of performance, authorize deviations from Government requirements, provide technical direction, direct any action, or otherwise modify DOS implementing agreements.

4.6 Program Management

The Contractor will be required to provide program management services, including:

4.6.1 Ensuring task order deliverables are submitted on time and to professional quality standards.

4.6.2 Monitoring of project performance using data.

4.6.3 Regular written reporting on country context, project activities, analysis of project impact, and information on future relevant activities/events.

4.6.4 Periodic conference call project updates and occasional in-person briefings.

4.6.5 Financial management and reporting.

4.6.6 Problem solving to identify ways to achieve DOS programmatic and policy objectives.

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED