A23 Attachment 1 PWS Amend 0001.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Irregular Warfare Center (CoE) Research Support Services Contract

Defense Security Cooperation Agency May 19, 2024

PART 1

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personal services contract to establish a research development support services contract to support the U.S. Government-run Irregular Warfare Center (IWC). The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service provider performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The Contractor shall provide all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items necessary to complete the research support services for the IWC, and technical assistance at center offices and other sites as designated by program needs as defined in this PWS except for those items specified as Government furnished property and services.

1.2 Background: The Irregular Warfare Center, established July 2022, serves as a central mechanism for developing the irregular warfare knowledge of the Department of Defense and advancing the understanding of irregular warfare concepts and doctrine, in collaboration with key partners and allies by:

a) coordinating and aligning Department education curricula, standards, and objectives related to IW;

b) facilitating research on irregular warfare, strategic competition, and the role of the Department in supporting interagency activities relating to IW;

c) engaging and coordinating with Federal departments and agencies and with academia, nongovernmental organizations, civil society, and international partners to discuss and coordinate efforts on security challenges in IW;

d) developing curriculum and conducting training and education of military and civilian participants of the United States and other countries, as determined by the Secretary of Defense; and

e) serving as a coordinating body and central repository for IW resources, including educational activities and programs, and lessons learned across components of the Department.

1.2.1 Purpose: The purpose of this contract is to support the work of the IWC by providing a framework for the Irregular Warfare Center’s research administration – ensuring scientific integrity, public accountability, and effective stewardship of the IWC extramural research portfolio. The IWC seeks to develop and maintain a research portfolio on behalf of the Department of Defense to meet the IWC mission as outlined within the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

1.3 Objectives: The Contractor will conduct complex research on analytic problems that present critical challenges to our nation. The Contractor will provide the Department of Defense (DoD) with deep expertise in IW fields to support national priorities. The objectives of the contract are to:

a) conduct academic research on IW topics that impact U.S. national security and allied and partner nations,

b) provide subject matter expertise on IW topics to support events including working groups, tabletop exercises and other activities as directed,

c) develop curriculum and educational solutions in accordance with the IWC Analysis, Design, Develop, Implement, Evaluate (ADDIE) / Curriculum Development Process (CDP).

1.4 Scope: The Contractor will perform academic research and support service tasks that will enable the IWC’s ability to design and develop curriculum and global engagements to achieve its mission. The

Contractor shall support the IWC by providing robust end-to-end research, operational and performance analysis across domains, regions, and theaters of operations.

The irregular warfare areas cover operational intelligence in contested environments including irregular collection and dissemination methods; information operations to include psychological operations, disinformation, influence operations, deception, and counter influence operations; supply chain resilience to include the role of littoral or brown water naval capabilities in facilitating, or countering shipping lanes, and sustainment operations in denied areas; emerging technologies to include offensive and defensive cyber operations, the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence in the social media domain and its role in influence operations, and irregular uses of unmanned systems both in offensive and defensive roles; and the integration of the national industrial base in meeting irregular challenges.

a) The Contractor shall provide subject matter expertise, research, curriculum development, and analysis support to assist in resolving issues related to:

1) Information Operations (IO) in the IW Sphere. Understanding adversary use of IO for strategic messaging to promote their agendas and undermine those of the United States and analyzing U.S. and adversary use of the variety of IO tools to achieve strategic effects.

2) Emerging Technologies. Identifying the role of virtual reality (VR) in creating immersive training experiences, e.g., VR role-playing in complex cultural situations requiring rapid decision-making capabilities, and the utility and applicability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enable rapid counter messaging.

3) Lawfare. Advising on Chinese lawfare efforts across Asia, Europe and Africa and identifying areas where the US and allies can counter these efforts.

4) Economic Statecraft. Developing concepts for economic statecraft considering U.S. and Partner interests while countering Chinese predatory market efforts.

5) Human Domain. Researching methodologies of national-level decision-making that account for the role of complex adaptive systems and the impact of change on local cultures.

6) Resiliency. Researching global resistance movements and their effectiveness at maintaining resiliency against occupation, both in terms of the insurgent and the civilian population.

7) Military Assistance and Security Cooperation. Assessing effectiveness of current U.S. military assistance and security cooperation initiatives and develop measures of effectiveness.

8) Other areas of Irregular Warfare and strategic competition as directed.

b) The Contractor shall perform analysis and studies oriented on development of IW national strategy and Defense policy. Studies and analysis will examine topics relevant within the Defense Secretariat and to the National Command Authority.

1.5 Period of Performance: The period of performance shall be for a base-period of one-year and four one-year option periods.

1.6 General Information

1.6.1 Quality Control: The Government shall evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the Government must do to ensure that the Contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s).

1.6.1.1 Quality Control Plan: The Contractor shall develop a Quality Control Plan (QCP) that implements procedures to identify, prevent, and ensure non-recurrence of defective services. The QCP is to be delivered within thirty (30) days of contract award; an electronic copy of the QCP shall be submitted to the Contracting Officer (KO) and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) within five (5) working days when changes are made thereafter. After acceptance of the QCP the Contractor shall receive the KO’s acceptance in writing of any proposed change to the QC system.

1.6.1.2 Inspection and Acceptance Criteria: The COR or technical representative will require up to fifteen

(15) working days from receipt of all deliverables for review and comment/acceptance. Government acceptance will be based upon the deliverables meeting accepted professional standards for technical content, workmanship, and relevance to stated functional task requirements.

1.6.2 Identification of Non-Disclosure Requirements: The activities in this PWS will require the Contractor to receive Government Furnished Information (GFI), and access data and information proprietary to other Contractors or Government agencies and/or of such a nature that its dissemination or use, other than in performance of this PWS, would be averse to the interests of the Government and/or others. The Contractor, including Contractor personnel, subcontractors, and consultants, will not divulge or release data or information developed or obtained in performance of this PWS except to Government authorized personnel or upon written approval of the KO or COR. The Contractor will not use, disclose, or reproduce proprietary data, which bears a restrictive legend, other than as required in the performance of this PWS. The limitations above do not apply to data or information that has been made public by the Government. All products, deliverables and work produced, as well as associated back-up documentation will be considered the property of the Government. Contractors will be expected to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements as part of the on-boarding process.

1.6.3 Recognized Holidays: Contractor is not required to work on Federal holidays as provided in 10 U.S. C.

6103. However, if a program occurs over a holiday period, a limited number of personnel may be needed to support a program. Prior coordination shall be made and approved between the COR and KO.

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Columbus Day President’s Day Veterans Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Juneteenth National Independence Day Christmas Day Independence Day

1.6.4 Hours of Operation: The contract program manager shall be reachable between the hours of 0900 and 1700 Monday thru Friday except Federal holidays or when the Government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings, or similar Government directed facility closings.

The Contractor shall maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the Government facility is not closed for the above reasons.

1.6.5 Place of Performance: Support shall be provided at the Contractor university location.

1.6.6 Type of Contract: The Government intends to award a Labor Hour (LH) and Time and Material (T&M) contract.

1.6.7 Security Requirements: The overall classification of work associated with this PWS is at the SECRET level. All personnel assigned to this contract must be U.S. citizens.

Contractor personnel working in support of this contract shall have at least a favorably completed FBI fingerprint check, credit check, lived in the United States for a minimum of 3 years, and either a National Agency Check and Inquiries (NACI) or Tier 1 (T1).

The Contractor Facility Security Officer (FSO) is required to submit a signed Visitor Authorization Request (VAR) to the duty station Security Office, verifying the Contractor(s) personnel security credentials prior to the beginning of each contracting/task order period of performance and as new Contractor employees are assigned to the contract.

The Contractor may use its format as long as all of the following information is provided on company/university letterhead:

Company/University Name, address, telephone number, assigned Commercial and Government Entity code, facility security clearance

Contract/Task Order Number Name, Rank, Title or Position, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Place of Birth, Nationality, Citizenship Clearance and Date Purpose of visit Date/Duration of visit Name of COR

DSCA Security personnel can be contacted for Industrial or Personnel Security related issues at dsca.ncr.odam.mbx.industrical-security@mail.mil.

All Contractor employees with an incident report will not be permitted access on a DSCA facility or project. The FSO is required to report any derogatory information on all individuals associated with this contract.

Contractor employees will be required to comply with all Government security regulations and requirements.

Contractor employees will not transmit or receive any Government documents to any personally owned devices. Contractor employees will be required to complete all initial and periodic security training and briefings.

The Contractor shall safeguard all Government property and controlled forms provided for Contractor use and adhere to any Government property requirements. All badges are to be displayed at all times while in DSCA spaces. The Contractor shall also ensure all Government equipment and materials are secured at the end of each day.

Failure to comply with Government security regulations and requirements shall require the company/university to provide the Government with a written remediation/corrective action plan;

furthermore, failure to comply with such requirements can be cause for removal, and the Contractor will not be able to provide service on this contract/order.

The Contractor shall comply with DOD 5400.7-R, Chapter 4, DOD Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program, requirements. This regulation sets policy and procedures for the disclosure of records to the public and for marking, handling, transmitting, and safeguarding CUI and FOUO material.

Contractor personnel shall report to an appropriate authority any information or circumstances of which they are aware may pose a threat to the security of DOD personnel, Contractor personnel, resources, and classified or unclassified defense information. This also includes the loss of any DOD identification cards.

1.6.7.1 Operation Security: The Contractor must comply with the requirements in DoD 5220.22, National Industrial Security Program; and DoD 5205.02, Operations Security (OPSEC) Program during the performance of work. The Contractor will adhere to the following minimum requirements in support of the DSCA OPSEC Program:

a) Personal electronic devices into Government spaces, laptops, tablet PCs, cellular phones, two-way radios, cameras, recording devices, and data recording/storage devices is STRICTLY controlled and forbidden in most cases. Company/University issued equipment required for the performance of work must be approved by the Government Security Officer. Photography and recording are not allowed except for official and approved use only.

b) Contractor personnel shall not discuss Government operations in public or over unprotected or unencrypted communications. Official Business and controlled unclassified information may only be transmitted as directed in the PWS or designated by the Government official.

c) The Contractor shall not post to company/university websites, publications, newsletters or other media any images, data or information that reveal sensitive Government operations, personnel, equipment, and/or classified or controlled unclassified information, refer to paragraph (d) below.

When in doubt, company/university press releases related to this contract should be coordinated through the Contracting Officer Representative (COR) or Technical Point of Contact, as applicable.

d) Because observation of events, operations, physical changes, etc. may reveal National Security information, specific restrictions are needed to preclude unintentional release of this information to unauthorized parties. (Unauthorized disclosure and transfer of National Security Information is punishable under 18 USC § 793.) Therefore, Contractor personnel shall not disclose to unauthorized third parties, post to unofficial sites (including Social Networking sites) any images, data, or information, or observed events that reveal sensitive Government operations, personnel, equipment, including, but not limited to:

1) Tactics, techniques and procedures, production or work schedules, any visible or concealed modifications, upgrades, additions to vessels, aircraft, or weapons or equipment; increases, change, or decreases in work/deployment frequency or Government personnel, vehicle, vessel or aircraft movements; specialized equipment orders, deliveries, shipments, etc., Unauthorized disclosures and attempts to solicit this type of information by unauthorized third parties or others not affiliated with this contract shall be reported to Government Security Office, contract point of contact, and the company/university Facility Security Officer and/or the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency. Non-Disclosure requirements remain in effect during the duration of this contract and indefinitely thereafter.

e) Government issued badges and identification shall be removed and/or concealed from plain sight when off station and shall not be left in vehicles or unprotected. Badges and passes may not be duplicated or copied or loaned to others. Lost or stolen identification badges must be immediately reported to the DSCA Security Office.

f) Practice OPSEC and implement countermeasures to protect CI and other sensitive unclassified information and execution of military operations performed or supported by the Contractor in support of the mission. Protection of CI will include the adherence to and execution of countermeasures which the Contractor initiates or as provided by the DSCA Security Office, for CI on or related to the PWS.

g) At contract termination all Government information, badges, and equipment must be returned to the Government at the Government’s discretion.

1.6.7.2 Insider Threat: The Contractor must comply with the Insider Threat Program (ITP) requirements identified 32 Code of Federal Regulation Part 117, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), also known as the “NISPOM rule.” This program will prevent espionage, violent acts against the Nation, or the unauthorized disclosure of classified information and controlled unclassified information; deter cleared employees from becoming insider threats; detect employees who pose a risk to classified information systems; and mitigate the risks to the security of classified information through administrative, investigative, or other responses. The ITP will meet or exceed the minimum standards for such programs, as defined in §

117.7 (d) of the NISPOM rule with additional guidance provided in Industrial Security Letter (ISL) 2016-02 and Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) Assessment and Authorization Process Manual (DAAPM) under the NISPOM rule.

1.6.8 Special Qualifications: Within ten (10) working days of award of this contract or ten (10) days of employment, the Contractor shall ensure that all Contractor employees complete annual Government-furnished training in Information Assurance, Privacy Act, Operational Security and other assigned training required. Any Contractor behavior deviating from standards taught in the course shall be grounds for termination of the contract. Contractor must maintain a cyber-threat security awareness certification plan.

The Contractor is expected to provide a fully trained workforce to the Government; therefore, personal development training costs and hours are not billable to the Government.

1.6.9 Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Subpart 42.5. The KO, Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), and other Government personnel, as appropriate, may meet periodically with the Contractor to review the Contractor's performance. At these meetings the KO will apprise the Contractor of how the Government views the Contractor's performance and the Contractor will apprise the Government of problems, if any, being experienced. Appropriate action shall be taken to resolve outstanding issues. These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.6.10 Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR): Refer to DFARS Clause 252.201-7000 “Contracting Officer’s Representative”.

1.6.11 Contract Personnel:

1.6.11.1 Key Personnel: The following personnel are considered Key Personnel by the Government: Program Manager, Senior Professor, and Research Assistant. The Contractor shall provide a Program Manager who shall be responsible for the performance of the work. The name of this person, and an alternate who shall act for the Contractor when the Program Manager is absent, shall be designated in writing to the KO. The Program Manager or alternate shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract.

Prior to changing an individual identified as Key Personnel, the Contractor shall notify the KO in no less than 30 business days and will submit written justification as to the reason for substitution. Substitution within the first 90 days will only be considered for reasons of illness, death, or termination of employment. The Justification must include the name and qualifications of the proposed substitute(s). The proposed substitute(s) will possess qualifications equal to or superior to those of the Key person being replaced. The Contractor shall not substitute Key Personnel without written consent from the KO. No change in fixed unit prices may occur as a result of Key Personnel substitution. The Key Personnel may, with the consent of the contracting parties, be amended from time to time during the course of this contract to either add or delete positions, as appropriate. Key Personnel position changes will be coordinated no less than 30 days in advance between the KO and the Contractor.

1.6.11.1.1 Qualifications for Key Personnel are listed below:

The personnel listed below are considered essential to the work being performed under this contract. Before removing, replacing, or diverting any of the listed or specified personnel or facilities, the Contractor shall (1) notify the KO reasonably in advance and (2) submit justification (including proposed substitutions) in sufficient detail to permit evaluation of the impact on this contract. The Contractor shall make no diversion without the KO's written consent.

Position Minimum Qualification Supported Task Security Clearance

Level

Program Manager/Chair

Master’s degree in National Security, International Relations, or Business required; or 20 years or in-depth Irregular Warfare field experience.

Must have a minimum of ten (10) years of program management experience leading and supervising multidisciplinary teams in support of US Government (USG) international programs.

Demonstrated organizational abilities, and outstanding communication skills as demonstrated in previous job experience within the resume.

Secret

Must have 1 year demonstrated knowledge of Irregular Warfare

Certifications

Must be documented PMP from a granting institution.

Senior Professor

Ph.D. in related field of Irregular Warfare, National Security, International Relations, or other field directly related to the research topics identified within the PWS.

Ten (10) years of research experience where the professor served as Senior Researcher in the field of irregular warfare or a related field of study.

Peer-reviewed publications in the field of irregular warfare or a related area of study.

5 Unclassified

Research Assistant

Bachelor’s degree in field directly related to the areas of research within the PWS.

Pursuing master’s or Terminal Degree in a field directly related to the areas of research within the PWS.

5 Unclassified

1.6.12 Contractor Travel: The Contractor may be required to travel within the continental United States (CONUS) during the performance of this contract to meet with the IWC team to discuss research findings and deliverables. The Contractor 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. An amount will be designated in a separate contract line item (CLIN) to cover costs for Contractor travel. Travel Other Direct Costs are reimbursable at the ’s actual cost with no allowance for profit or fee, per FAR 16.601(b).

1.6.13 Data Rights: Reference FAR 52.227.14 Rights in Data clause.

1.6.14 Organizational Conflict of Interest: Contractor and subcontractor personnel performing work under this contract may receive, have access to or participate in the development of proprietary or source selection information (e.g., cost or pricing information, budget information or analyses, specifications, or work statements, etc.) or perform evaluation services which may create a current or subsequent Organizational Conflict of Interests (OCI) as defined in FAR Subpart 9.5. The Contractor shall notify the KO immediately whenever it becomes aware that such access or participation may result in any actual or potential OCI and shall promptly submit a plan to the KO to avoid or mitigate any such OCI. The Contractor’s mitigation plan will be determined to be acceptable solely at the discretion of the Contracting Officer and in the event the KO unilaterally determines that any such OCI cannot be satisfactorily avoided or mitigated, the KO may affect other remedies as he or she deems necessary, including prohibiting the Contractor from participation in subsequent contracted requirements which may be affected by the OCI.

1.6.15 Small Business Utilization: Contractors shall report on the progress of their small business utilization as implemented by the Small Business Participation Commitment Document. This will assist in the development of capabilities of small businesses and provide a maximum practicable opportunity to participate in efficient contract performance for small businesses.

The Contractor shall submit semiannually, a small business participation progress report on their small business utilization (format as agreed upon between Contractor and Government) to the Contracting Officer and will be shared with the Washington Headquarters Services Office of Small Business Programs (WHS

OSBP).

These reports shall be submitted concurrently with the subcontracting periods, during contract performance for the periods ending March 31 and September 30. A report is also required for each contract within 30 days of contract completion. Reports are due 30 days after the close of each reporting period, unless otherwise directed by the contracting officer. Reports are required when due, regardless of whether there has been any small business participation activity since the inception of the contract or the previous reporting period. When a contracting officer rejects a SBPCD report, the Contractor is required to submit a revised SBPCD report within 30 days of receiving the notice of the SBPCD report rejection.

Report actual subcontracting dollars/percentages achievements relative to the accepted small business participation. The reports shall cover:

1. Quantitative achievements

2. Small Business subcontracts awarded during reporting period

a. Contractor name and socioeconomic category

b. Dollar value of subcontract

c. Type of product or service provided by subcontractor

d. Order number

3. Contract specific initiatives to enhance small business utilization or capabilities

4. Specific initiatives and tools employed under the contract to enhance small business utilization capabilities for the Mission Assurance Support Services small business industrial base.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or Contractor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the Government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER (KO). A person with authority to enter into, administer, and or terminate contracts, and make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the Government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the KO to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations. This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement.

2.1.5. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be delivered but may include non-manufactured things such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.6. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor personnel that are evaluated in a source selection process and that may be required to be used in the performance of a contract by the Key Personnel listed in the PWS. When Key Personnel are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, an offer can be rejected if it does not have a firm commitment from the persons that are listed in the proposal.

2.1.7. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of Government property.

2.1.8. QUALITY ASSURANCE. The Government procedures to verify that services being performed by the Contractor are performed according to acceptable standards.

2.1.9. QUALITY ASSURANCE Surveillance Plan (QASP). An organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of Contractor performance.

2.1.10. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.11. SUBCONTRACTOR. An entity that enters into a contract with a prime Contractor. The Government does not have privity of contract with the subcontractor.

2.1.12. WORKDAY. The number of hours per day the Contractor provides services in accordance with the contract.

2.1.12. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless specified otherwise.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii) COR Contracting Officer Representative CUI Controlled Unclassified Information DD Form 254 Department of Defense Contract Security Requirement List DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement DISS Defense Information System for Security DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center DOD Department of Defense DSCA Defense Security Cooperation Agency DSCU Defense Security Cooperation University FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation IW Irregular Warfare IWC Irregular Warfare Center JTR Joint Travel Regulation KO Contracting Officer NDAA National Defense Authorization Act OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest OCONUS Outside Continental United States (includes Alaska and Hawaii) ODC Other Direct Costs PII Personal Identifiable Information PIPO Phase In/Phase Out PKI Public Key Infrastructure POC Point of Contact PRS Performance Requirements Summary PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QAP Quality Assurance Program QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Plan TE Technical Exhibit

WHS Washington Headquarters Services

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1 Services: N/A

3.2 Facilities: N/A

3.3 Utilities: N/A

3.4 Equipment: The Government will provide the Contractor program manager access to a laptop to facilitate tasks within the PWS.

3.5 Materials: The Government will provide the Contractor access to regulations, directives or other policy documents required to complete PWS tasks.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1 General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities, and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Section 3 of this PWS.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

5. Specific Tasks:

The Contractor shall provide services the following areas:

a) Coordination: Coordinating and aligning academic standards and objectives related to IW in the civilian university system that is complementary to the Department’s professional military education efforts;

b) Facilitation: Facilitating research on irregular warfare, strategic competition, and the role of the Department in supporting interagency activities relating to IW;

c) Engagement: Engaging and coordinating with the private sector, and civil society to discuss and coordinate efforts on security challenges in IW; and

d) Development: Developing courses and workshops that enable core irregular warfare competencies as identified by the IWC.

This expertise will enable the Contractor to provide the following:

5.1. Basic Services. The Contractor shall provide research support services as needed in support of the Government-run Irregular Warfare Center.

5.2. Task 1: Program Management: The Contractor shall provide a senior-level program manager to ensure that the objectives, scope, deliverables, and schedule are defined for all tasks within the contract. The program manager shall serve as the single point of contact and coordinator for all support activities and stated requirements for this contract.

5.2.1 The Contractor shall develop and maintain the research task schedule for each research area. The Contractor shall update the project schedule weekly with percentages of research tasks and deliverables completed, schedule date changes, and other schedule changes as requested by the Government.

5.2.2 The Contractor shall ensure that all tasks are performed in a timely manner. This includes the delivery of all required reports to monitor the execution of the tasks for successful delivery.

5.2.3 The Contractor shall meet on scheduled dates and times, to be determined by the IWC team and COR, to discuss research progress and address concerns and/or contract deliverables.

5.2.4 The Contractor shall complete monthly status reports. Each status report shall provide the status of each research topic during the reporting period, document any problems encountered and how they were or shall be resolved. Each report shall also document the Contractor’s research plan for the next reporting period, including expected accomplishments, anticipated problems, and projected solutions.

5.3 Task 2: Research Support Services: The Contractor shall:

5.3.1 Lead research efforts in IW studies in the specific research topic areas identified.

5.3.2 Develop course and workshops, varying in length from 8 hours to three days, in support of the IWC research topics.

5.3.3 Plan, coordinate, and direct research assignments in support of the IWC research topics.

5.3.4 Complete the projected outcomes and work with the IWC management to provide research status and proposed areas for deeper focus.

5.4 Task 3: Research Areas of Focus: The Contractor shall complete extensive research and provide the projected outputs in the following IW subject areas:

5.4.1: Research Topic 1: Information Operations (IO) in the IW Sphere

5.4.1.1: Research Question 1: How do adversaries use IO for strategic messaging to promote their agendas and undermine those of the United States?

5.4.1.2: Projected Output 1: A comparative analysis of U.S. and adversarial use of the variety of IO tools to achieve strategic effects.

5.4.1.3: Projected Output 2: Support Government-led working group on IO

5.4.2 Research Topic 2: Emerging Technologies

5.4.2.1 Research Question 2: Research the role of virtual reality in creating immersive training experiences, e.g., VR role playing in complex cultural situations requiring rapid decision-making capabilities.

5.4.2.2 Research Question 3: Research the utility and applicability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning to enable rapid counter messaging.

5.4.2.3 Projected Output 1: Published peer-reviewed articles.

5.4.3 Research Topic 3: Lawfare

5.4.3.1 Research Question 1: Research Chinese lawfare efforts across Asia, Europe and Africa and identify areas where the US and allies can counter these efforts.

5.4.3.2 Projected Output 1: Published peer-reviewed articles.

5.4.3.3 Projected Output 2: SME support as senior panelists, guest speakers, and representatives in the research area.

5.4.4 Research Topic 4: Economic Statecraft

5.4.4.1 Research Question 1: Develop a concept for economic statecraft considering U.S. and Partner interests while countering Chinese predatory market efforts. The study must provide concepts beyond the use of sanctions.

5.4.4.2 Projected Output 1: Published peer-reviewed article.

5.4.5 Research Topic 5: Human Domain

5.4.5.1 Research Question 1: Research methods of national level decision making that accounts for the role of complex adaptive systems and the impact of change on local cultures.

5.4.6 Research Topic 6: Resiliency

5.4.6.1 Research Question 1: Research global resistance movements and their effectiveness at maintaining resiliency against occupation both in terms of the insurgent and the civilian population. Identify what makes one movement more resilient than another.

5.4.6.2 Projected Output 1: Published peer-reviewed article.

5.4.7 Research Topic 7: Military Assistance and Security Cooperation

5.4.7.1 Research Question: Assess effectiveness of current U.S. military assistance and security cooperation initiatives and develop measures of effectiveness.

5.4.7.2 Projected Output 1: Conduct a longitudinal study of a country or region showing change-over-time in behavior attributable to assistance or security cooperation.

5.4.8 Research Topic 8: Emerging Challenges and Opportunities

5.4.8.1 Research Question: Support the identification, examination, and development of approaches to address emerging challenges and opportunities in the IW domain.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS)

6.1. The Contractor must abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures including, but not limited to, the following:

https://www.whs.mil/COVID-19 https://comptroller.defense.gov/Portals/45/documents/fmr/current/10/10_12.pdf https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-5/chapter-XVI/subchapter-B/part-2635/subpart-H/section-

2635.807 https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-45/subtitle-A/subchapter-A/part-73/subpart-G/section-73.735-701 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-35

PART 7

ATTACHMENT/TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Attachment/Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Attachment 1/Technical Exhibit 1 – Performance Requirements Summary

7.2. Attachment 2/Technical Exhibit 2 – Deliverables Schedule

7.3 Attachment 3/Technical Exhibit 3 – Estimated Workload Data

7.4 Attachment 4/Technical Exhibit 4 – Security Language

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS SUMMARY

The Contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items. The performance threshold briefly describes the minimum acceptable levels of service required for each requirement. These thresholds are critical to mission success.

Performance Objective (The Service required usually a shall statement) Performance Standards Performance Threshold Method of Surveillance

PRS# 1. Provide support personnel to meet PWS requirements.

All Contractor personnel possess the skills needed to perform the required tasks as specified in the PWS.

The Contractor's work products are suitable to support the full range of analysis as specified in the PWS.

The Contractor's personnel are qualified and adept at presenting clear, concise, factual reports free from political conclusions or any judgment of individual journalist(s).

Editorial and typographical errors should be few.

COR

Review/Government personnel feedback

PRS#2 Submit monthly status report

The Status Report accurately reflects progress, status;

proactively identifies and addresses any problems or issues encountered; and recommended resolutions are feasible and likely to succeed in resolving issues.

Report is submitted on the 10th day of the month. Reports are grammatically correct and professional in appearance

Draft documents contain minor typographical errors; Final documents are error free

COR Review

PRS#3 Hours of Work/Workload Management

The Contractor shall ensure its personnel accomplish the assigned tasks within agreed upon schedules, and at an acceptable level of quality.

The Contractor ensures that sufficient staff is available during core business hours to proactively interact with clients and complete the requirements specified in the PWS. Contractor also ensures the COR is informed of developments with assigned actions.

COR

Review/Government personnel feedback

PRS# 4 Prepare and Submit deliverables as described in PWS

Deliverables are timely in accordance with agreed upon schedule and/or project plan.

Briefings are thorough, accurate and well organized;

articulate clear conclusions and/or recommendations, as appropriate; are comprehensive, coherent, and conducted with skill and competence and are developed and formatted with professionalism reflecting

Draft documents contain minor typographical errors; Final documents are error free.

COR Review

Government guidance as appropriate.

Draft and final reports are comprehensive, coherent, accurate, and submitted for inspection/review by Government chain of inspection.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 2

DELIVERABLES SCHEDULE

PWS

SECTION

DELIVERABLE TITLE FREQUENCY

# OF

COPIES

MEDIUM/

FORMAT

SUBMIT TO

1.6.1.1 Quality Control Plan 30 days after award 3 MS Word COR/KO

1.6.7.1.2 DD 2841 Public Key Infrastructure As needed 1

System Format

COR/KO

1.6.8 Annual Training

10 days following award

System Format

COR

1.6.9 Meetings As needed 1 MS Word

COR/Gov’t

POC

1.6.2 Non-Disclosure Agreement As needed 1

System Format

COR/KO

5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4

Program Management Research Schedule 30 days after contract award

1 MS Word COR/Gov’t

POC

5.2.4 Monthly Status Report

10th day of each month

1 MS Word COR/Gov’t

POC

5.2.5 Monthly Travel Status Report

10th day of each month

1 MS Word COR/Gov’t

POC

5.4.1 Research Topic Output: Information Operations (IO) in the IW Sphere

As needed 1 MS Word COR/Gov’t

POC

5.4.2 Research Topic Output: Emerging Technology As needed 1

MS

Word/Syste m Format

COR/Gov’t

POC

5.4.3 Research Topic Output: Lawfare As needed 1 MS Word

COR/Gov’t

POC

5.4.4 Research Topic Output: Economic Statecraft As needed MS Word COR/Gov’t

POC

5.4.5 Research Topic Output: Human Domain As needed 1 MS Word COR/Gov’t

POC

5.4.6 Research Topic Output: Resiliency As needed 1 MS Word

COR/Gov’t

POC

5.4.7 Research Topic Output: Military Assistance and Security Cooperation

As needed 1 MS Word COR/Gov’t

POC

5, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4

Annual Research Report Synopsis Annually on the 10th day following the end of the PoP

1 MS Word COR/Gov’t

PC

Executive Compensation FAR Clause 52.204-10 Conclusion of 6-month POP

Email electronically to the CO and COR

COR/Gov’t

POC

Limitations on Subcontracting FAR Clause 52.219-14

Conclusion of 6-month POP

Email electronically to the CO and COR

COR/Gov’t

POC

1.6.15 Small Business Participation Commitment Report

During contract performance (for the periods ending March 31 and September 30, and within 30 days of contract completion

Email electronically

- Filed as agreed upon

COR/KO

PWS

SECTION

DELIVERABLE TITLE FREQUENCY

# OF

COPIES

MEDIUM/

FORMAT

SUBMIT TO

(concurrently with the small business subcontract reporting in eSRS).

Reports are due 30 days after close of each reporting period

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 3

ESTIMATED WORKLOAD DATA

The data provided is an estimate of what it may take to perform the requirements listed in the Performance Work Statement. The labor categories and hours provided below are only estimates and should not be viewed as mandated for offerors. All proposals should include the labor mix and hours appropriate and necessary for the Offeror to complete the required work. Hours required may be lower or higher than those estimates indicated below; as such, these estimates may not be construed as a guarantee of labor requirements. The Contractor shall have in place the capability to fulfill the requirements of the contract.

***NOTE: One Full Time Equivalent (FTE) is equivalent to 1872 hours on a per annum basis.

Base Period (12 MONTH) PWS Task ID Labor Category Projected FTE Labor Hours (FTE)

5 Program Manager 1.00 1872

5.3 Professor 2.00 3,744

5.3 Research Assistant 4.00 7,488

Option Period 1 (12 MONTH) PWS Task ID Labor Category Projected FTE Hours

5 Program Manager 1.00 1872

5.3 Professor 2.00 3,744

5.3 Research Assistant 4.00 7,488

Option Period 2 (12 MONTH) PWS Task ID Labor Category Projected FTE Hours

5 Program Manager 1.00 1872

5.3 Professor 2.00 3,744

5.3 Research Assistant 4.00 7,488

Option Period 3 (12 MONTH) PWS Task ID Labor Category Projected FTE Hours

5 Program Manager 1.00 1872

5.3 Professor 2.00 3,744

5.3 Research Assistant 4.00 7,488

Option Period 4 (12 MONTH) PWS Task ID Labor Category Projected FTE Hours

5 Program Manager 1.00 1872

5.3 Professor 2.00 3,744

5.3 Research Assistant 4.00 7,488

SECURITY LANGUAGE

Security Requirements:

The overall classification of work associated with this PWS is at the SECRET level. The Contractor shall have a current facility clearance of SECRET at the time of proposal to work this effort. All personnel assigned to this contract must be U.S. citizens.

Investigation Requirements:

All personnel requiring Secret access under this contract/order shall undergo a favorably adjudicated Tier 3 (T3) Investigation, formerly known as a National Agency Check, Local Agency Check and Credit Check or Access National Agency Check and Inquiries, adjudicated by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) or other federal Government adjudication agency as a minimum requirement. The Tier 3 Investigation will be maintained current within 5 years, if not personnel will be in Continuous Evaluation status with a more current date or have an open investigation. Personnel with Secret Periodic Reinvestigations (T3R) should be current within the last 5 years, if not personnel will be in Continuous Evaluation status with a more current date or have an open investigation.

The Contractor is required to have personnel cleared with a temporary or final SECRET clearance at the contract start date. During the performance of the contract, any released contract personnel’s replacement should also have temporary or final clearance at the level of Secret.

The Contractor Facility Security Officer (FSO) is required to submit a signed Visitor Authorization Request (VAR) to the duty station Security Office, verifying the Contractor(s) personnel security credentials prior to the beginning of each contracting/task order period of performance and as new Contractor employees are assigned to the contract. TEMPORARY SECRET eligibility may be accepted provided it has been awarded by the DCSA CAS, and DISS reflects the information for the contract awarded company.

Visit Authorization Request (VAR):

Visit Authorization Request (VAR) is required prior to the beginning of each contract/task order period of performance and for any new contract personnel assigned to the contract during the duration after initial VAR submission.

The Facility Security Officer must submit a VAR per the processes outlined below:

The Contractor may use their format with all of the following information provided on company letterhead:

• Company Name, address, telephone number, assigned Commercial and Government Entity code, facility security clearance

• Contract/Task Order Number

• Name, Rank, Title or Position, Email, Social Security Number, Date of Birth, Place of

Birth, Nationality, Citizenship

• Clearance and Date

• Purpose of visit

• Date/Duration of visit

• Name of COR/Alternate COR

DSCA Security personnel can be contacted for Industrial or Personnel Security related issues at dsca.ncr.odam.mbx.industrial-security@mail.mil.

All Contractor employees with an incident report in DISS who have had their access to classified suspended will not be permitted access on a DSCA facility or project. The FSO is required to report any derogatory information on all individuals associated with this contract to DSCA COR and DSCA Security.

Information Security and other miscellaneous requirements:

Contractor employees will be required to comply with all Government security regulations and requirement to include NISPOM, 32 CFR 117, and other Government security guidelines as directed. Initial and security training and briefings will be provided by Government security personnel. Contractor employees will not transmit or receive any Government documents to any personally owned devices. Contractor employees will be required to complete all initial and periodic security training and briefings.

Failure to comply with Government security regulations and requirements shall require the company to provide the Government with a written remediation/corrective action plan; furthermore, failure to comply with such requirements can be cause for removal, and the Contractor will not be able to provide service on this contract/order.

DSCA retains the right to request removal of Contractor personnel regardless of prior clearance or adjudication status, whose actions, while assigned to this contract, clearly conflicts with the interest of the Government.

The Contractor shall comply with DOD 5400.7-R, Chapter 4, DOD Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Program, and DOD 5200.48, Controlled Unclassified Information requirements. This regulation sets policy and procedures for the disclosure of records to the public and for marking, handling, transmitting, and safeguarding CUI and FOUO material.

Contractor personnel shall report to an appropriate authority any information or circumstances of which they are aware may pose a threat to the security of DOD personnel, Contractor personnel, resources, and classified or unclassified defense information. This also includes the loss of any DOD identification cards.

Physical Security:

The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding all Government property provided for the Contractor’s use. Government facilities, property, and materials shall be protected in accordance with Government security procedures.