Attachment 1 - SEA - PWS_3Sep26.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

1.0 Consolidated Performance

Work Statement (CPWS): South East Africa Security Engagements (FY26)

1.1 Acquisition Overview & Regulatory

Framework

1.1.1 Authority and Consolidation Context

1.1.1.1 This Performance Work Statement (PWS) is issued by Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAF) pursuant to RFO Part 12, Part 37 and associated agency supplementals.

1.1.1.2 In accordance with Subpart 204.71 (Uniform Contract Line Item Numbering System) and standard performance-based acquisition specifications, this contract combines two distinct security cooperation requirements into a single administrative instrument while enforcing strict separation of statutory authorities, operational scopes, funding streams, participant vetting parameters, and contract line item structures.

1.1.1.3 The two distinct requirements consolidated within this instrument are designated as detailed below:

• 1.1.1.3.1 Requirement 1 (CLIN 0001 Series): Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Capacity-Building Security Cooperation Engagements (NDAA Sec 1208 & WPS Act 2017).

• 1.1.1.3.2 Requirement 2 (CLIN 0002 Series): Global Fragility Act (GFA) & Atmospheric Environmental Data Engagements (GFA / Prevention of Conflict & Promote Stability).

1.1.2 Detailed Explanation of Requirements

1.1.2.1 Requirement 1 Explanation (WPS Capacity-Building

Engagements)

1.1.2.1.1 Primary Legal Authority: Section 1208 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2023 (as extended) and the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-68).

1.1.2.1.2 Core Objective: Advise, train, and educate Host Nation (HN) security forces to build institutional capacity to integrate WPS principles into operational planning and execution, advance women's participation in national security, and execute community-security dialogues and physical micro-stabilization investments in fragile border zones.

1.1.2.1.3 Operational Scope and Limitations: Permitted activities, prohibited activities, and vetting requirements are detailed in paragraphs 1.1.2.1.4, 1.1.2.1.5, and 1.1.2.1.6 below.

1.1.2.1.4 Permitted Activities: Non-tactical advisory services, civil-military cooperation (CIMIC) training, tabletop exercises (TTX), WPS integration workshops, and direct delivery of physical micro-stabilization investments (e.g., female security force barracks/latrines, training facilities, specialized gear, gender-based violence (GBV) interview rooms).

1.1.2.1.5 Prohibited Activities: Tactical instruction, lethal capability transfer, equipment maintenance support, or accompanying HN patrols without explicit authorization.

1.1.2.1.6 Vetting Requirements: Mandatory Leahy Law (10 U.S.C. § 362) human rights vetting conducted by the USG prior to any activity. No capacity building or funds may be expended on uncleared personnel.

1.1.2.1.7 Geographic Scope: Target Nations across South East Africa, with prioritized engagements conducted at critical locations within Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Somalia, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

1.1.2.2 Requirement 2 Explanation (GFA Atmospheric & Data

Collection Engagements)

1.1.2.2.1 Primary Legal Authority: U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability / Global Fragility Act (GFA) frameworks, Executive Order 14168, and Department of War (DoW) WPS Implementation Guidance (Sept 11, 2025).

1.1.2.2.2 Core Objective: Gather atmospheric and operational data to establish informational baselines on Partner Nation (PN) operational environments and build local communication channels.

1.1.2.2.3 Operational Scope and Limitations: Strict operational limitations apply to ensure no training or capacity building takes place under this requirement.

1.1.2.2.4 Prohibition on Training and Capacity Building: Requirement 2 explicitly prohibits conducting or supporting security force training, advising, capability development, or institutional capacity building.

1.1.2.2.5 Permitted Activities: Atmospheric data collection, civil-military dialogue facilitation as neutral documenters, Civil Affairs / Defense Economics analysis, and feasibility assessments for potential future USG-funded Humanitarian and Civic Assistance (HCA) projects (e.g., under 10 U.S.C. § 401 / § 2561).

1.1.2.2.6 Vetting Requirements: Participant rosters are collected for data and communication mapping; no Leahy capacity-building vetting applies as no training/advising is conducted under Requirement 2.

1.1.2.2.7 Operational Accountability: The Contractor shall formally advise the Joint Special Operations Task Force – Somalia (JSOTF-SOM) prior to the execution of any activities, movements, or operations conducted under this contract. For execution of any activities, movements, or operations conducted under this contract in Libya, the contractor shall formally advise the Special Operations Task Force – North and West Africa (SOTF-NWA). In this notification, the Contractor must explicitly state that the scheduled actions are being executed in direct support of Special Operations Command Africa (SOCAF).

1.1.2.2.8 Joint Operations Center (JOC) Tracking Requirements: To facilitate operational oversight, force protection, and situational awareness for the JSOTF- SOM Joint Operations Center (JOC), the Contractor shall provide comprehensive movement and operational data. The Government Representative (COR/ACOR) will formally introduce the Contractor to the appropriate JSOTF-SOM JOC representative to establish the necessary lines of communication. Following this introduction, the Contractor shall submit all required reporting to the designated JSOTF-SOM JOC point of contact and the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) no later than 72 hours prior to the commencement of activities.

1.1.2.2.9 Required Data Elements: The Contractor’s notification shall, at a minimum, include: dates of operation, specific geographic locations/grid coordinates, and a complete roster of contractor personnel executing the activities (handled securely in accordance with applicable PII protection regulations).

1.1.2.2.10 Compliance and Ongoing Coordination: The Contractor shall maintain continuous coordination with the JSOTF-SOM JOC throughout the period of performance, reporting any deviations immediately.

1.1.2.2.11 Geographic Scope: Priority GFA Nations (strictly limited to Mozambique and Libya) with data collection and civil-military engagement efforts focused on specific prioritized administrative areas, border corridors, and exercises.

1.1.3 Comparative Regulatory Matrix

1.1.3.1 The matrix below provides a side-by-side comparative analysis of the operational parameters of Requirement 1 and Requirement 2.

Operational Parameter REQUIREMENT 1 (WPS Capacity-Building)

REQUIREMENT 2 (GFA

Data Collection)

Primary Legal Authority

NDAA FY23 Sec 1208 (as extended) & Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017 (P.L.

115-68)

Global Fragility Act (GFA) / U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict & Promote Stability, E.O.

14168, DoW WPS Guidance (Sept 2025)

Core Operational Objective

Advise, train, and educate Host Nation (HN) security forces to build institutional capacity to integrate WPS principles and execute micro-stabilization investments.

Gather atmospheric and environmental data to establish informational baselines on Partner Nation (PN) operational environments and build local communication channels.

Training / Advising Allowed?

YES (Classroom-based, non-tactical capacity building, CIMIC training, tabletop exercises, and WPS integration workshops)

STRICTLY

PROHIBITED (No security force training, advising, capability development, or institutional capacity building allowed)

WPS Implementation Institutional capacity Assessing sex-based

Framing building, female recruitment/retention, force integrity, safety, GBV response, and specialized equipment/facilities for HN forces.

safety and security needs of local populations. Explicitly prohibits reference to

UNSCR 1325, UN

frameworks, or gender identity concepts.

Micro-Projects Scope Direct physical procurement, construction, and delivery of micro-investments (e.g., female barracks, latrines, GBV rooms, training gear).

Feasibility assessments ONLY for potential future USG-funded HCA projects (under separate 10 U.S.C. § 401 / § 2561 authority).

Leahy Vetting Required?

MANDATORY (Written USG Leahy clearance required for all HN trainees/participants prior to any capacity-building activity)

NOT APPLICABLE

(Participant rosters collected for communication mapping only; no capacity building conducted)

Geographic Scope Regional Target Countries, prioritizing identified mineral corridors, rail corridors, and border districts.

Priority GFA contexts, specifically targeted Mozambique provinces and Libyan border zones / exercises.

Funding Stream & Accounting

FY26 Firm-Fixed-Price Security Cooperation Funds (CLIN 0001 Series)

FY26 GFA Dedicated Priority Funding (CLIN 0002 Series; strictly segregated FFP accounting)

Contract CLIN Alignment

CLIN 0001 Series CLIN 0002 Series

1.1.4 Structure & Numbering Scheme

1.1.4.1 To ensure absolute clarity during contract execution, Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) monitoring, and invoice processing under Wide Area Workflow (WAWF / PIEE), every paragraph within this CPWS is sequentially numbered under its respective section.

1.1.4.2 Paragraph numbers are sequentially numbered under their respective headers using a strict hierarchical decimal system.

1.1.4.3 Section 1.2 contains all elements related to Requirement 1 (WPS Capacity Building), and Section 1.3 contains all elements related to Requirement 2 (GFA Atmospheric Data Gathering).

1.2 Requirement 1 — Women, Peace, and

Security (WPS) Capacity-Building Security Cooperation Engagements

1.2.1 Part 1: General Information & Business

Standards

1.2.1.1 Introduction, Goal & Scope

1.2.1.1.1 This Performance Work Statement outlines a security cooperation program conducted under the authority of Section 1208 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (as extended). This program will advise, train, and educate Host Nation (HN) security forces to build their institutional capacity regarding the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017.

1.2.1.1.2 The Contractor shall execute these security cooperation activities to advance the meaningful participation of women in national security forces and decision-making processes. Key activities will include community-security dialogues and micro-stabilization projects designed to improve early-warning indicators and strengthen civil-military communication pathways in fragile border regions, mineral sectors, and trade transit corridors.

1.2.1.1.3 All activities must strictly comply with applicable U.S. law and Department of War (DoW) Implementation Guidance. The required result of this contract is a measurable improvement in HN security force capacity to integrate WPS principles into their operations and planning.

1.2.1.2 Performance Objectives (Required Results)

1.2.1.2.1 Objective 1: Increase the frequency of community-initiated reporting of security concerns, measured through standardized contractor reporting templates and validated by community stakeholders.

1.2.1.2.2 Objective 2: Demonstrate measurable reduction in communication gaps between community actors and HN units, reflected in community-validated dialogue outputs.

1.2.1.2.3 Objective 3: For all authorized capacity-building engagements, demonstrate measurable improvement in HN force proficiency to independently plan, execute, and evaluate civil-military engagements and integrate WPS principles, validated through documented pre- and post-engagement capability assessments and practical exercises.

1.2.1.2.4 Objective 4: Complete micro-stabilization projects validated by community stakeholders and documented through signed certificates of transfer, executed within strict fixed cost boundaries.

1.2.1.2.5 Objective 5: Submit all deliverables within required timelines as defined in Technical Exhibit 2 (Paragraph 1.2.7.3.1).

1.2.1.3 Contractor Responsibility

1.2.1.3.1 The Contractor shall deliver the region-specific community security initiatives and physical micro-stabilization investments described herein. The Contractor shall ensure the physical safety and operational security of all participants and contracted personnel, limited to standard commercial duty-of-care practices and without reliance on U.S. Government operational support.

This requires coordinating access with national and sub-national civilian and military authorities and providing seamless Arabic/Portuguese/Somali/English/local language translation.

1.2.1.3.2 The Contractor shall ensure all actions are conducted in strict compliance with U.S. federal regulations, DoW instructions, and local host-nation laws and shall execute all WPS-focused security cooperation activities in accordance with the authorities granted in Section 1208 of the FY23 NDAA and the broader WPS Act of 2017.

1.2.1.3.3 The Contractor shall perform a written local risk assessment and security plan for each in-country activity and submit it to the COR and Embassy Security Team for approval at least 14 days prior to personnel deployment.

1.2.1.3.4 All training/advisory activities are conditioned on (1) Embassy/COR written approval, (2) documented Leahy vetting of all HN participants, and (3) secure handling of all sensitive personnel data. Any deviation must be pre-approved in writing by the Contracting Officer.

1.2.1.4 Strategic & Unclassified Definitions

1.2.1.4.1 Women, Peace, and Security (WPS): Grounded in the WPS Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-68). The Contractor shall ensure the empowerment and meaningful participation of women at all stages of the project lifecycle, from analysis to execution and monitoring. This includes moving beyond simple inclusion to ensuring women’s perspectives directly influence planning, their security concerns are prioritized, and they are active leaders in community-level stabilization efforts. Consistent with DoW WPS Implementation Guidance, the Contractor shall facilitate community-level reporting mechanisms to assess the distinct security interests and vulnerabilities of men, women, boys, and girls based on their sex and local roles.

1.2.1.4.2 Host Nation Institutional Capacity: The primary objective of all activities under this PWS. It refers to the measurable improvement of a Host Nation’s security forces to independently plan, resource, execute, and assess operations and policies that incorporate Women, Peace, and Security principles.

1.2.1.4.3 Defense Economics (Analytical Lens): An analytical framework for observing the economic environment to inform security cooperation. Under this framework, the Contractor shall analyze how VEOs exploit local economic conditions (e.g., unemployment, resource competition, illicit taxation, and mineral exploitation at strategic mines). The purpose of this analysis is to advise and train HN security forces on how their operational planning, presence, and posture can impact economic stability and the safety of women in local markets, trade routes, and livelihoods. This is an advisory function, not an instruction for the Contractor to conduct economic development.

1.2.1.5 Micro-Stabilization Project Definition

1.2.1.5.1 A micro‑stabilization project is a small‑scale, community‑validated physical investment designed to produce immediate, visible stability effects in fragile, under‑governed, or conflict‑affected areas. Crucially, these projects must be directly tied to the security cooperation objectives of this PWS.

1.2.1.5.2 Their primary purpose must be to support the training, advising, or equipping of HN security forces to advance WPS principles, not to serve as general humanitarian assistance. These projects must be derived directly from PMESII/ASCOPE environmental analysis, validated by the U.S. Embassy Country Team, and selected through structured community‑security dialogue sessions. All micro‑stabilization projects shall comply with the statutory limits of the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Act of 2017 and the DoW Implementation Guidance.

1.2.1.6 Operating Constraints

1.2.1.6.1 All activities shall remain tactical and non-lethal in nature; permitted activities may include community facilitation, non-tactical advising, and authorized capacity-building consistent with DoW guidance. The Contractor shall not provide tactical instruction, transfer lethal capability, or perform activities beyond the scope of Embassy/USG authorization.

1.2.1.6.2 Prohibited without explicit USG authorization: Accompanying HN patrols; providing weapons, tactical communications, maintenance or technical support for security equipment; directing HN operational planning.

1.2.1.6.3 Permitted with USG authorization and Leahy vetting: Classroom-based civil-military cooperation courses, tabletop exercises (TTX) on civil-military roles, mentoring on community engagement procedures, and non-tactical WPS integration workshops.

1.2.1.7 Funding and Fiscal Authority

1.2.1.7.1 All efforts under this PWS shall be funded using Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) funds, subject to the availability of appropriations. If additional funding is approved and there are cost-efficient opportunities, the Government will consider expanding engagements to other regional nations (e.g., Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia) on a case-by-case basis.

1.2.1.8 Regional Geography and Target Countries

1.2.1.8.1 The geographical scope of this PWS comprises regional target nations in South East Africa, within which the Contractor must strictly price and execute the standardized quantities of engagements at prioritized target sites and specific strategic assets.

1.2.1.8.2 Zimbabwe: Price and execute exactly 3 engagements prioritizing the Arcadia Lithium Mine and the Bikita Lithium Mine.

1.2.1.8.3 Zambia: Price and execute exactly 3 engagements prioritizing the Copperbelt Province.

1.2.1.8.4 South Africa: Price and execute exactly 3 engagements anywhere within the country, with a priority focus on sensitization of presence to prepare for U.S. Government (USG) transit from Johannesburg to Lesotho.

1.2.1.8.5 Somalia: Price and execute exactly 2 engagements prioritizing the Baledogle operational zone.

1.2.1.8.6 Botswana: Price and execute exactly 2 engagements prioritizing the Eastern/Southern border zones including Francistown, Ramokgwebana, Lobatse, and Ramatlabama.

1.2.1.8.7 Malawi: Price and execute exactly 2 engagements prioritizing the Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Kasungu, or Mchinji Districts.

1.2.1.8.8 Angola: Price and execute exactly 2 engagements prioritizing the Lobito Corridor.

1.2.1.8.9 Regional nations within the broader geographical scope (e.g., Djibouti, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia) may be considered for expanded engagements under Section 1.2.1.7.1 only if additional funding is approved, the Contractor demonstrates exceptional cost-efficiency, and upon explicit written authorization of the Contracting Officer.

1.2.1.9 Place of Performance

1.2.1.9.1 Performance will take place in-country across the prioritized target sites. The Contractor shall perform both administrative planning and active, localized community-level engagements. The standardized quantities and strategic site priorities are detailed in the table below:

Target Country Prioritized Strategic Site / Regional Corridor

Specific Operational Focus / Strategic Priority

Standardized Quantity of Engagements

Zimbabwe Arcadia Lithium Mine & Bikita Lithium Mine

Secure mineral extraction zones;

mitigate exploitation of female miners;

border community stabilization

3 Engagements

Zambia Copperbelt Province

Border security;

stabilizing under-governed copper-extraction zones and cross-border commercial pathways

3 Engagements

South Africa Anywhere within South Africa / Johannesburg to Lesotho Transit Corridor

Sensitization of presence to prepare for USG transit from Johannesburg to Lesotho; open to engagements nationwide

3 Engagements

Somalia Baledogle Core security and CVE coordination adjacent to JSOTF-SOM and local airfields

2 Engagements

Botswana Eastern/Southern Border (Francistown, Ramokgwebana, Lobatse, Ramatlabama)

Cross-border trade protection;

build community-level security networks to mitigate smuggling

2 Engagements

Malawi Mangochi, Machinga, Zomba, Kasungu, or Mchinji Districts

Stabilizing key border agriculture corridors and trade checkpoints;

female market-access security

2 Engagements

Angola Lobito Corridor Infrastructure security;

stabilizing vulnerable communities situated along the

2 Engagements strategic transit rail link

1.2.1.10 Hours of Operation

1.2.1.10.1 The Contractor shall conduct normal business operations Monday through Friday, 0800 to 1700 local time, excluding federal holidays. However, due to the nature of field-based security engagements, the Contractor may be required to support operational tasks during weekends, evenings, or extended hours. All such flexible scheduling shall be coordinated and approved by the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

1.2.1.11 Type of Contract

1.2.1.11.1 The Government will award a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contract for core security engagement and atmospheric data collection activities. Travel and travel-related expenses will be executed and reimbursed on a Cost- Reimbursable (No-Fee) basis, up to a strict Government-established Not-to- Exceed (NTE) travel ceiling.

1.2.1.11.2 Invoicing Authorization and Milestones: The Contractor is authorized to invoice for the actual execution of each individual engagement upon the completion and formal acceptance of the shorter-term Phase III deliverables— specifically, the physical Handover Records and Final Report (Paragraph 1.2.5.3.9) and the associated 10-Day After-Action Report (AAR) (Paragraph 1.2.5.3.13) generated for that specific engagement.

1.2.1.11.3 Performance Compliance Risk Mitigation: The Government recognizes the acceptable risk of expensing engagement payments prior to the completion of the 180-day Phase V Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) follow-up assessments (Paragraph 1.2.5.5.1). To mitigate this risk and ensure strict compliance with long-term reporting requirements, the Government will perform rigorous and comprehensive assessments of the Contractor's performance.

Delinquency, failure to deliver, or poor quality of any 6-Month Post-Project Follow-up Reports will be directly and heavily factored into the Contractor's official annual performance reports (e.g., Contractor Performance Assessment Reporting System (CPARS)), which are mandatory for this contract's dollar value.

1.2.1.12 Security Requirements

1.2.1.12.1 All work performed under this contract is UNCLASSIFIED. Contractor personnel do not require security clearances, Common Access Cards (CAC), installation credentials, or other personnel-security eligibility. Standard unclassified Operational Security (OPSEC) procedures will be implemented to safeguard participant names and data.

1.2.1.12.2 The Contractor shall not publish, release, or disclose any information, participant rosters, locations of engagements, or photographic/video documentation to public forums or social media without written clearance from the COR and the SOCAF Public Affairs Office (PAO).

1.2.1.12.3 All draft Civil Affairs planning products, actor-relationship maps, and target area assessments shall be marked and handled in accordance with standard OPSEC and privacy protocols. There is no requirement or authorization to handle, manage, or create Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) under this requirement.

1.2.1.13 Human Rights (Leahy) Vetting Compliance

1.2.1.13.1 Because this contract includes security cooperation and capacity-building activities, all participating Host Nation (HN) military and security forces must undergo mandatory human rights vetting in accordance with the Leahy Law (10 U.S.C. § 362).

1.2.1.13.2 All proposed trainees, instructors, and HN unit participants must appear on an Embassy-issued Leahy-cleared roster prior to the engagement; the Contractor shall not execute any capacity-building activity involving uncleared individuals. The Contractor shall securely transmit required roster data using SFTP with MFA per Section 1.2.1.17.2 data protocols.

1.2.1.13.3 The U.S. Government (via the respective U.S. Embassy) conducts this vetting. The Contractor shall not provide any training, advisory support, or capacity-building to any HN unit or individual who has not been explicitly cleared in writing by the USG. The Contractor shall immediately exclude any individual not appearing on the USG-approved roster.

1.2.1.14 Key Personnel

1.2.1.14.1 The Contractor shall identify and maintain the Key Personnel described below for the duration of this contract.

1.2.1.14.2 Language Requirements: All key personnel roles require professional English fluency. While direct dual language fluency (e.g., in Portuguese, Arabic, Somali, Swahili, or regional dialects) is highly preferred to facilitate smoother execution and reduce coordination overhead, it is not mandatory. The core requirement is that personnel possess the demonstrated ability to operate effectively in appropriate local languages, either directly or through coordinated interpreter support, documented in resumes or past performance narratives.

1.2.1.14.3 Resumes demonstrating professional English fluency and appropriate regional operational experience must be submitted for the Team Lead, Project Manager, Lead Civil Affairs and Defense Economics Analyst, and Senior National Stabilization Consultants.

1.2.1.14.4 Team Lead: Minimum of 8 years of experience in stabilization, conflict mitigation, or civil-military operations in South/Eastern Africa. Demonstrated expertise in gender analysis and experience managing WPS-focused programs.

Experience should include designing and implementing activities that specifically address partner nation women’s security concerns and promote their leadership.

Responsible for overall contract compliance, interagency liaison, and quality control. Required: English fluency. Ability to operate in Portuguese, Arabic, Somali, Swahili, or regional dialects via personal language proficiency or coordinated interpreter support for non-operational advisory and dialogue-facilitation purposes only.

1.2.1.14.5 Project Manager: Minimum of 5 years of experience in project management, contract administration, or programmatic operations in international settings. Responsible for handling administrative functions, financial oversight, logistical arrangements, and compliance reporting under the direction of the Team Lead. Required: English fluency.

1.2.1.14.6 Lead Civil Affairs & Defense Economics Analyst: Minimum of 5 years of experience in Civil Affairs planning methodologies, economic stabilization, or CIMIC frameworks. Responsible for composing all ASCOPE/PMESII cross-matrices, project plans, and cost estimates. Required: English fluency. Ability to analyze regional/local source materials via personal language proficiency or coordinated interpreter support.

1.2.1.14.7 Senior National Stabilization Consultants (minimum 1 per high-priority cluster): Local nationals or regional experts with deep-rooted networks, responsible for community mobilization, host-nation military liaison, and local language translation (e.g., Portuguese, Arabic, Somali, Swahili, or regional dialects). Required: English fluency. Ability to translate and communicate in local languages via personal language proficiency or coordinated interpreter support.

Grouped into defined staffing clusters to maintain administrative and funding separation:

• Cluster A (Requirement 1 Countries): Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Angola, and Somalia (Minimum of 1 Lead Consultant required).

• Cluster B (Requirement 2 Countries): Mozambique and Libya (Minimum of 1 Lead Consultant required).

1.2.1.15 Contractor Travel

1.2.1.15.1 All travel required for the performance of this contract shall be the sole responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor is completely responsible for all travel planning, logistics, ticket booking, itineraries, visa acquisition, passports, immunization compliance, local transport, dining, and life support.

1.2.1.15.2 The U.S. Government (USG) will not coordinate, book, facilitate, or support any travel arrangements, and shall not provide any operational movement, security escort, or emergency transport (to include but not limited to military aircraft, official embassy vehicle pools, defense communication systems, or diplomatic transportation services).

1.2.1.15.3 Travel Expense Caps & GSA Adherence: All travel plans shall be pre-authorized in writing by the COR solely for cost and milestone tracking. Travel expenses shall be invoiced and reimbursed in accordance with GSA travel guidelines and the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). No luxury travel or unauthorized class upgrades will be reimbursed. All travel expense reimbursements across this entire contract are subject to a strict, non-negotiable hard ceiling cap of $500,000.00 under CLIN 0003.

1.2.1.15.4 Travel Labor Exclusions: All contractor labor hours associated with travel planning, travel execution, administrative coordination, and actual transit/travel hours are strictly excluded from CLIN 0003 reimbursement. All travel labor costs must be built directly into the Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) labor rates for Requirements 1 and 2. CLIN 0003 is strictly limited to direct travel actuals (flights, lodging, per diem, visas, local transit).

1.2.1.15.5 Responsible Travel Reporting: The Contractor shall implement rigorous travel cost tracking. No travel invoices will be authorized or expensed without the submission of itemized travel actuals paired with direct merchant receipts (e.g., hotel folios, airline ticket stubs, visa receipts).

1.2.1.16 Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI)

1.2.1.16.1 The Contractor shall provide unbiased, objective, and technically sound advice and analysis. The Contractor warrants that it does not possess any commercial, political, or operational interests that conflict with the objective execution of this contract. If any potential OCI arises during the performance of this contract, the Contractor shall immediately notify the Contracting Officer (KO) in writing with a comprehensive mitigation plan.

1.2.1.17 Data Rights

1.2.1.17.1 The United States Government (USG) shall retain unlimited, exclusive rights to all data, materials, assessments, ASCOPE/PMESII cross-matrices, country portfolios, final reports, and photographic/video assets produced under this contract. The Contractor shall not use any data generated under this contract for private commercial purposes or academic publication without the express written permission of the contracting officer.

1.2.1.17.2 All deliverables, rosters, and training curricula must be transmitted via encrypted SFTP with multi-factor authentication. Vetting and participant data must be stored on secure, password-protected devices, access-logged, and retained/destroyed per USG data security guidelines; suspected breaches must be reported to the COR within 24 hours.

1.2.2 Part 2: Definitions & Acronyms

1.2.2.1 Standard Acronyms utilized throughout Requirement 1 are listed sequentially below.

• AAR: After-Action Report

• ASCOPE: Areas, Structures, Capabilities, Organizations, People, and Events

(Civil Affairs Analytical Tool)

• ASWJ: Ansar al-Sunna (Mozambique-based VEO)

• CAT: Civil Affairs Team

• CIMIC: Civil-Military Cooperation

• CMSE: Civil Military Support Element

• FFP: Firm-Fixed-Price

• COR: Contracting Officer's Representative

• CSO: Civil Society Organization

• DoD: Department of Defense

• FTR: Federal Travel Regulation

• GSA: General Services Administration

• HN: Host Nation

• IHL / IHRL: International Humanitarian Law / International Human Rights Law

• JTR: Joint Travel Regulations

• JSOTF-SOM: Joint Special Operations Task Force – Somalia

• KO: Contracting Officer

• MEL: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

• MISO: Military Information Support Operations

• NTE: Not-To-Exceed

• OCI: Organizational Conflict of Interest

• OPSEC: Operational Security

• PII: Personally Identifiable Information

• PMESII: Political, Military, Economic, Social, Information, and Infrastructure

(Civil Affairs Environmental Analysis Tool)

• PN: Partner Nation

• PWS: Performance Work Statement

• SOF: Special Operations Forces

• TCCC: Tactical Combat Casualty Care

• USG: United States Government

• VEO: Violent Extremist Organization

• WPS: Women, Peace, and Security

1.2.3 Part 3: Government Furnished Services

1.2.3.1 The Government will provide access to unclassified SOCAF operational planning templates and previous FY25 research baselines (e.g., Somalia engagement summaries).

1.2.3.2 The Government will provide liaison support and formal introductions to the U.S. Embassy Country Teams (Defense Attaché Offices, Office of Security Cooperation, CMSE, and CATs) and HN military leadership.

1.2.3.3 The Government will provide access to the COR and the SOCAF WPS Advisor for technical guidance.

1.2.4 Part 4: Contractor Furnished Items and

Services

1.2.4.1 The Contractor shall furnish all assets, labor, equipment, and materials necessary to perform the services described in this PWS. This includes local transport, lodging, meals, meeting venue rentals, translation of materials and meeting content, materials printing, and specialized technical expertise.

1.2.5 Part 5: Specific Tasks (Integrated Project

Lifecycle)

1.2.5.1 Phase I - Research and Regional Environmental Mapping

(PMESII / ASCOPE)

1.2.5.1.1 The Contractor shall deliver a PMESII/ASCOPE Regional Environmental Baseline Report to the COR no later than 45 days prior to executing in-country activities. As a required result, the Contractor’s mapping and analysis shall include the components detailed below.

1.2.5.1.2 Focus Area Determination: Justifying specific prioritized target areas/sites (e.g., Arcadia/Bikita Lithium Mines in Zimbabwe, Copperbelt in Zambia, Johannesburg to Lesotho Transit Corridor in South Africa) for programmatic intervention, incorporating U.S. Embassy recommendations.

1.2.5.1.3 PMESII Situational Assessment: Defining the operational environment for community-security communication-ecosystem mapping. The assessment must specifically address all six PMESII systems:

• Political: Local administrative structures, clan elder councils, customary border-trading arrangements, and local VEO (Al-Shabaab/ASWJ) or other security/smuggling influences.

• Military: Footprint of HN forces, regional commands, existing civil-military engagement structures, and international task force posture (e.g., SAMIM or ATMIS remnants).

• Economic: Livelihoods, cross-border commerce, and resource gaps. Using the Defense Economics analytical lens (as defined in Paragraph 1.2.1.4.3), the assessment must analyze how VEOs exploit these economic factors (such as illegal mining or border racketeering) and how HN security force activities impact the economic security of the local population, particularly women.

• Social: Clan structures, traditional dispute mechanisms, ethnic divisions, sex-based roles and access barriers (e.g., women miners' safety barriers in mineral corridors), and traditional dispute mechanisms.

• Information: Traditional verbal networks, VEO narrative campaigns, local radio coverage, cellular access, and active VEO/smuggler narrative campaigns.

• Infrastructure: Critical regional assets, water sources/boreholes, coastal ports, major transit routes (e.g., Lobito Corridor rail tracks), and border control gates.

1.2.5.1.10 ASCOPE Operational Mapping Matrix: Cataloging critical Areas, Structures, Capabilities, Organizations, People, and Events. For each identified system, the Contractor shall map out operational variables using the ASCOPE civil planning framework.

1.2.5.1.11 Analytical Synthesis Cross-Matrix: Identifying specific local vulnerabilities, conflict drivers, and areas where host-nation forces lack access or community trust.

1.2.5.1.12 Incremental Reporting Constraint: The Contractor shall submit bi-weekly technical email updates on research coordination, mapping progress, and host-nation clearances to the COR. The Contractor shall share research findings, community survey parameters, and draft PMESII/ASCOPE cross-matrices with the COR, CMSE, and J35 (Civil Affairs) as they are developed.

1.2.5.2 Phase II - Region-Specific Initiative Plan Development & Stakeholder Alignment

1.2.5.2.1 Following USG validation of the baseline mapping, the Contractor shall deliver a customized, comprehensive Region-Specific Initiative Plan for each designated sector. This plan must act as a blueprint for the research and data collection methodology, developing cohesive CIMIC and Defense Economics assessment strategies that incorporate all relevant statutory requirements.

1.2.5.2.2 Integrated Requirements: The Contractor's plan must demonstrate three integrated components:

• Civil Affairs / CIMIC Assessments: Are tailored to evaluate the operational environment and baseline structural dynamics of the specific host nation unit assigned to that region.

• Legal and Human Rights Requirements: Are woven in naturally (e.g., using data from localized women's and elder groups to inform security assessments).

• Defense Economics: Guides the development of localized micro-projects to address economic grievances exploited by VEOs or exacerbated by limited governance.

1.2.5.2.6 Detailed Plan Requirements: Each Community-Security Force Dialogue Plan shall include four primary elements:

• Qualitative & Quantitative Goals: Clear operational benchmarks that measure changes in communication frequency, sentiment, and levels of trust between key stakeholder groups.

• Unified Lifecycle Timeline: Chronological scheduling from baseline research, local interagency coordination, material translation, tactical execution, and local handover, to project closeout.

• Stakeholder Registry: Identifying USG and Host Nation stakeholders by name, title, organization, and overall interest in the effort.

• Quantified Projected Program Effects: Explicitly projecting the number and type of stakeholders engaged, expected qualitative trust impact, and established communication channels.

1.2.5.2.11 Phase II Rapid Feedback & Stakeholder Status: Throughout the Phase II planning phase, the Contractor shall provide weekly updates detailing stakeholder coordination, host-nation military buy-in, local clearances, and scheduling adjustments.

1.2.5.3 Phase III - Tactical Execution of Unified Region-Specific Initiatives

1.2.5.3.1 Upon receiving formal written authorization from the COR and the Embassy (including written Leahy clearance for participating HN personnel), the Contractor shall execute the approved Region-Specific Initiative Plan. The Contractor shall execute approved initiatives as an authorized security cooperation activity, which may include advising and assisting HN forces, consistent with DoW WPS Implementation Guidance. The Contractor shall deliver the required results detailed below.

1.2.5.3.2 Deliverable 1: Community-Security Dialogue Facilitation & WPS Inclusion: The Contractor shall facilitate structured, neutral community-security dialogues focused solely on communication pathways and community-validated security concerns. Where the USG formally authorizes capacity-building engagements, the Contractor shall conduct direct advisory workshops, tabletop exercises (TTX), and practical application training for Leahy-cleared HN personnel to build institutional capacity in civil-military planning and WPS integration. All capacity building must be classroom/non-tactical, documented, and accompanied by pre/post-assessments.

1.2.5.3.2.1 Engagement Execution Invoicing Threshold: In accordance with Section 1.2.1.11.2, physical delivery of this dialogue engagement, when paired with the successful acceptance of its respective After-Action Report (AAR) (Paragraph 1.2.5.3.13), officially constitutes the authorized billing event for the engagement’s FFP core value.

1.2.5.3.3 Deliverable 2: Micro-Stabilization Projects in Support of WPS Objectives: The Contractor shall coordinate community-selected labor and local civil society participation to build trust. Approved physical investments must be derived from the ASCOPE/PMESII assessments and include items that reinforce HN capacity-building objectives. The primary purpose of any such investment must be to directly support the WPS-focused training and advisor mission for the HN security force. Pursuant to FY23 NDAA Sec. 1208, these investments must address the requirements of women serving in national security forces or directly facilitate the security force’s ability to engage with female populations.

Permissible examples are outlined below:

• 1.2.5.3.4 Security Force Infrastructure (Female-Specific): Construction, renovation, or refurbishment of separate, secure barracks, latrines, and hygiene facilities for female personnel at HN military or police installations.

• 1.2.5.3.5 WPS Training & Education Facilities: Furnishing or equipping dedicated classrooms or resource centers at HN military academies specifically for executing WPS, gender integration, and civil-military curriculum.

• 1.2.5.3.6 Specialized Equipment Provision: Purchasing and outfitting female HN security personnel with appropriately sized protective equipment, uniforms, and specialized gear required for their operational roles.

• 1.2.5.3.7 Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Response Capabilities:

Refurbishing private, secure interview rooms at local police stations to allow HN security forces to safely and confidentially intake reports of sexual harassment or violence from female community members.

• 1.2.5.3.8 Female Medical Capacity Building: Supplying HN military medical clinics with specialized medical supplies and equipment necessary to meet the specific healthcare requirements of female service members.

1.2.5.3.9 Deliverable 3: Project Handover Reports: Signed Certificates of Transfer and Completion Reports submitted within 30 days of physical project completion. Physical handover of completed Micro-Stabilization Projects and associated Completion Reports.

1.2.5.3.10 Deliverable 4: Sustainability & Maintenance Plan for each micro-project, identifying civilian maintenance responsibility, local procurement sources for spare parts, and a one-year contingency budget.

1.2.5.3.11 Phase III Rapid Feedback & Post-Engagement Summaries:

Mandatory preliminary metrics and formal AAR submission processes apply.

1.2.5.3.12 48-Hour Preliminary Metrics: Within 48 hours of completing any physical project handover or dialogue session, the Contractor shall submit an informal written update highlighting critical quantitative metrics (number of attendees, sex breakdown, immediate outcomes, and only non-sensitive photographs compliant with Section 1.2.7.1 OPSEC and consent protocols). The update must include a brief qualitative analysis of how women’s participation influenced the dialogue’s outcomes and what specific security concerns were raised by female participants.

1.2.5.3.13 10-Day After-Action Report (AAR): Within 10 business days of event completion, the report shall detail communication-ecosystem observations and – for any USG-authorized training/advisory events – include detailed analysis of pre/post capability assessment results, participant rosters (Leahy-cleared), curriculum delivered, and recommendations for follow-on training and sustainment.

1.2.5.3.14 Incremental Project Handover: All physical certificates of transfer and micro-stabilization completion records shall be gathered and submitted immediately upon execution.

1.2.5.4 Phase IV - Year-End Portfolio Aggregation & Final

Reporting

1.2.5.4.1 The Contractor shall submit a comprehensive Final Consolidated Country PDF Portfolio within 30 days of completing all engagements.

1.2.5.4.2 Constraint: The portfolio must be organized via structured, labeled folders containing: Regional Situation Plans (PMESII/ASCOPE), Per-Event Analysis, Post-Event Effects (AARs), and Payment Reconciliation Reports, subjected to final COR and J35 (Civil Affairs) portfolio review.

1.2.5.5 Phase V - Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) & 6-Month Post-Project Follow-up

1.2.5.5.1 The Contractor shall execute a long-term monitoring framework and submit a 6-Month Post-Project Follow-up Assessment exactly six (6) months after the physical completion of each micro-stabilization project, provided the timeline falls within the contract's Period of Performance.

1.2.5.5.2 This assessment must include specific analysis, based on direct interviews with female participants, on how the project has impacted their personal safety, economic autonomy, and ability to participate in public life. It should assess whether trust between women in the community and HN security forces has demonstrably improved.

1.2.5.5.3 Period of Performance Limitation: No evaluations, assessments, or post-project reports shall be required or due after the final end date of the contract’s Period of Performance (PoP). All post-project data tracking after the expiration of the contract PoP is strictly discontinued.

1.2.6 Part 6: Applicable References

1.2.6.1 The Contractor shall comply with all applicable U.S. laws and strategic frameworks, including:

• 1.2.6.2 The Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017 (Public Law 115-68).

• 1.2.6.3 Section 1208 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year

2023 (as extended), which serves as the primary authority for activities under this contract.

1.2.7 Part 7: Technical Exhibits & Special Clauses

1.2.7.1 Special Clause: Ethical Considerations for Photography & Videography

1.2.7.1.1 Prior Informed Consent: The Contractor must obtain written, signed, or video-documented informed consent from every individual prior to taking photographs or video footage. Consent forms must be available in Arabic, Portuguese, Somali, Swahili, and local languages. For minors, parental/guardian written consent is mandatory. No coercion, financial incentive, or food package compensation shall be used to obtain consent.

1.2.7.1.2 Protection of Dignity & Safety: Photos and videos must depict all subjects with dignity, respect, and agency. Imagery must not portray individuals in humiliating, helpless, or degrading postures.

1.2.7.1.3 Security & Identity Protection: The Contractor shall ensure that facial features, identifiers, and exact geographical indicators of individuals who may be targeted by VEOs are blurred, obscured, or excluded from media assets.

1.2.7.1.4 OPSEC Compliance: No photographs or videos shall contain visible military communication equipment, base layout schematics, or base security operations.

1.2.7.1.5 Consent Indexing: Every photograph and video clip delivered to the USG must be indexed and linked to its corresponding consent form.

1.2.7.2 Technical Exhibit 1: Performance Requirements

Summary (PRS)

1.2.7.2.1 The matrix below outlines the performance objectives, standards, acceptable quality levels, and methods of surveillance for Requirement 1.

Performance Objective

Performance Standard

Acceptable Quality Level

(AQL)

Method of Surveillance

Task 5.1: PMESII

/ ASCOPE

Environmental Baseline

High-quality, operationally actionable analysis covering prioritized mine/rail/border sites.

100% compliance with

ASCOPE/PMESII

formats;

submitted ≥ 45 days prior to engagement.

COR, CMSE, and J35 (Civil Affairs) review and written approval.

Task 5.2:

Region-Specific Initiative Plan

Cohesive plan weaving CIMIC, WPS, and Defense Economics.

Fully complete plan with named stakeholders, budgets, and timelines;

submitted ≥ 30 days prior.

COR and Embassy Country Team review.

Task 5.3:

Capacity-building & Micro- Stabilization

Execution of tangible micro-projects. Delivery of full training curriculum and practical exercises.

Projects completed on time; delivered only to Leahy-cleared participants.

Field verification, review of training rosters, pre/post reports, and technical inspection.

Task 5.4:

Country PDF Portfolio

All country-specific deliverables aggregated into an organized, indexed PDF portfolio.

100% compliant with structural requirements;

submitted within 30 days post- PoP.

COR and J35 (Civil Affairs) portfolio review.

Task 5.5: 6- Month Post-

Comprehensive follow-up

Submitted exactly 6 months post-

COR and J35 (Civil Affairs)

Project MEL assessment of completed micro-stabilization initiatives.

event (within PoP only); clear tracking of durability and trust. Delinquency heavily penalizes annual CPARS assessments.

review of follow-up reports.

1.2.7.3 Technical Exhibit 2: Deliverables Schedule

1.2.7.3.1 The table below outlines all key deliverables, frequencies, formats, and submission contacts for Requirement 1.

PWS

Ref

Deliverabl e Title

Frequency / Due Date

Medium / Format

Submit To (Email)

1.2.5.

PMESII /

ASCOPE

Baseline Analysis & Prioritized Targets

Per Country; ≥ 45 calendar days prior to engagemen

t. Includes Phase I feedback.

MS Word /

PDF

COR:

cesar.n.feliciano.mil@socom.m il; CC:

carlo.k.salter.mil@socom.mil, kathryn.m.maitrejean.ctr@soco m.mil, and KO

1.2.5.

Region- Specific Initiative Plan & Stakehold er Registry

Per Country; ≥ 30 calendar days prior to engagemen t.

MS Word / Excel

COR:

cesar.n.feliciano.mil@socom.m il; CC:

carlo.k.salter.mil@socom.mil, kathryn.m.maitrejean.ctr@soco m.mil, and KO

1.2.1.

HN Leahy Vetting Biographic al Roster

Per Country;

Minimum 45 calendar days prior to engagemen t (or per Embassy

MS Excel

(USG

template)

COR:

cesar.n.feliciano.mil@socom.m il; CC:

carlo.k.salter.mil@socom.mil, kathryn.m.maitrejean.ctr@soco m.mil, and KO mailto:cesar.n.feliciano.mil@socom.mil mailto:cesar.n.feliciano.mil@socom.mil mailto:carlo.k.salter.mil@socom.mil mailto:kathryn.m.maitrejean.ctr@socom.mil mailto:kathryn.m.maitrejean.ctr@socom.mil mailto:cesar.n.feliciano.mil@socom.mil mailto:cesar.n.feliciano.mil@socom.mil mailto:carlo.k.salter.mil@socom.mil mailto:kathryn.m.maitrejean.ctr@socom.mil mailto:kathryn.m.maitrejean.ctr@socom.mil mailto:cesar.n.feliciano.mil@socom.mil mailto:cesar.n.feliciano.mil@socom.mil mailto:carlo.k.salter.mil@socom.mil mailto:kathryn.m.maitrejean.ctr@socom.mil timeline via

SFTP)

1.2.5.

Handover Records of Completed Micro- Stabilizatio n Projects & Final Report

Per…