N0018919QZ427_SAP_Combined_Synopsis_Solicitation.doc

This is a COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION for commercial items prepared in accordance with the information in FAR Subpart 12.6, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures under the test program for commercial items found at FAR 13.5, as supplemented with the additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; a written solicitation will not be issued. PAPER COPIES OF THIS SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE. This combined synopsis/solicitation SHALL be posted on both FEDBIZOPPS and NECO (https://www.neco.navy.mil/).

The RFQ number is N0018919QZ427. This solicitation documents and incorporates provisions and clauses in effect through FAC 2019-04 and DFARS Publication Notice 2019-15255. It is the responsibility of the contractor to be familiar with the applicable clauses and provisions. The clauses may be accessed in full text at these addresses: https://www.acquisition.gov/far/ and http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfarspgi/current/index.html. The NAICS code is 541720 and the Small Business Standard is $22.0 million. This is a competitive, unrestricted action. The Small Business Office concurs with the set-aside decision. The contracting activity is the NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Philadelphia Office. The Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Counter-Narcotics and Global Threats requires research support and subject matter expertise for the National Defense University’s Institute for National Strategic Studies in its project “Western Hemisphere Illicit Network Review. The contractor shall perform subject matter services per the performance work statement (PWS) below. The vendor’s quote should identify the recommended labor skill set to perform the PWS. Service contract line item numbers (CLINs) 0001 (5,520 hours, 1001 (5,380 hours) and 2001 (5,380 hours) are firm-fixed-price; Other Direct Cost CLINs 0002 (NTE $120,000), 1002 (NTE $123,600) and 2002 (NTE $127,308) are cost reimbursable; and Travel CLINs 0003 (NTE $16,000 OCONUS and NTE $4,000 CONUS), 1003 (NTE $16,480 OCONUS and NTE $4,120 CONUS) and 2003 ($16,974 OCONUS and NTE $4,244 CONUS) are cost reimbursable. The periods of performance (POP) are one 12-month base, 28-Sep-2019 through 27-Sep-2020 and two 12-month options, if exercised. Unless otherwise specified in the order, the supplier is responsible for the performance of all inspection requirements and quality control.

The following FAR provision and clauses are applicable to this procurement:

52.212-1 Instructions to Offerors - Commercial Items 52.212-3 and its ALT I, Offeror Representations and Certifications - Commercial Items;

52.212-4 Contract Terms and Conditions - Commercial Items 52.212-5 Contract Terms and Conditions Required to Implement Statutes or Executive Orders – Commercial Items 52.204-25 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment (AUG 2019)

52.209-6 Protecting the Government’s Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment

52.209-10 Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations

52.222-19 Child Labor—Cooperation with Authorities and Remedies 52.222-21 Prohibition of Segregated Facilities 52.222-35 Equal Opportunity for Veterans 52.222-36 Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities 52.223-18 Encouraging Contractor Policies to Ban Text Messaging While Driving 52.239-1 Privacy or Security Safeguards Quoters are reminded to include a completed copy of 52.212-3 and its ALT I with quotes. All clauses shall be incorporated by reference in the order.

Applicable DFARS clauses from 212.301(f)1 252.203-7000 Requirements Relating To Compensation of Former DoD Officials 252.203-7005 Representation Relating To Compensation of Former DoD Officials 252.204-7011 Alternative Line Item Structure 252.204-7012 Safeguarding of Unclassified Controlled Technical Information 252.204-7015 Disclosure of Information To Litigation Support Contractors 252.232-7003 Electronic Submission of Payment Requests And Receiving Reports

252.232-7010 Levies On Contract Payments 252.244-7000 Subcontracts For Commercial Items And Commercial Components (DoD Contracts) If over the SAT and soliciting less than 30 days:

252.215-7007 Notice of Intent to Resolicit 252.215-7008 Only One Offer

This announcement will close at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, 24 September 2019. Contact Anita Spriggs, who can be reached at 215-697-9641 or email anita.spriggs@navy.mil. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. All responsible sources may submit a quote which shall be considered by the agency.

When evaluation factors are used include:

FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation - Commercial Items is applicable to this procurement. While price will be a significant factor in the evaluation of offers, the final contract award will be based on a combination of factors - a combination of price and past performance. The relative importance of the factors is as follows: Past Performance is more important than price.

System for Award Management (SAM): Quoters must be registered in the SAM database to be considered for award. Registration is free and can be completed on-line at http://www.sam.gov/.

All quotes shall include price(s), FOB Destination, a point of contact, name and phone number, GSA contract number if applicable, business size, and payment terms. Quotes over 10 pages in total will not be accepted by facsimile. Each response must clearly indicate the capability of the quoter to meet all specifications and requirements.

Performance Work Statement for Support to National Defense University, Institute for National Security Studies:

Western Hemisphere Illicit Network Review

1.0 Description of Services

1.1 Background

National Defense University (NDU) Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) www.inss.ndu.edu is a world-class research institute that produces original, thought-provoking, and policy-relevant national security research. INSS researchers and their products provide timely and high-caliber support to senior U.S. policy-makers and strategic leaders in the Department of Defense and across the U.S. government, as well as to joint professional military education (JPME). Our researchers also provide subject matter expertise to U.S. allies and partners to deepen mutual security interests at a regional and global level.

In 2013, the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) published “Convergence: Illicit Networks and National Security in the Age of Globalization.” Since that time, as suggested in that book, events across the world confirms the threats posed to world order by a range of new illicit actors, emerging dynamics, and a rapidly evolving global operating environment. In order to better understand the relationships and dynamics amongst these actors, a subsequent INSS book entitled, “Beyond Convergence: World without Order,” was published in 2016. This second book documented evidence of an unprecedented level of collaboration, collusion, and coordination amongst diverse, networked non-state adversaries. These illicit networks, including terrorists, insurgents, and transnational criminal organizations are now seen to pose significant challenges and direct existential threats to multiple states throughout Western Hemisphere, and cumulatively, to the rule-based global system of states. The Beyond Convergence project examines new domains in which these networks operate, as well as emerging alignments and alliances between the networks and international blocs hostile to U.S. interests. The project also addresses techniques and strategies to meet these 21st century challenges.

Primary drivers of instability in Western Hemisphere include the changing political landscape of the Bolivarian nations and their allies (key electoral losses in Argentina, Venezuela, and Bolivia); Venezuela’s apparent economic and political collapse; the dynamic political and humanitarian situation in Venezuela; threats to legitimate governance and livelihoods from gangs, corruption and narco-trafficking in the Northern Triangle countries of Central America; the evolution of U.S. relations with Cuba, with related impact on its other allies: Nicaragua, El Salvador, Ecuador. These factors are coupled with the potential for unintended effects arising from the now completed peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), and the pressing need to map and monitor that group’s evolution and continuing involvement in illicit activities.

Governments, such as Venezuela’s, have allowed transnational criminal and terrorist groups to operate with impunity within their territory, and, while the organizations will likely adapt to an uncertain and still unfolding Venezuelan future, it is unlikely they will cease operations.

In addition, China and Russia, as well as Iran, have demonstrated increased interest in Western Hemisphere engagement. China’s economic engagement continues to deepen across the hemisphere. Simultaneous to these significant shifts, transnational gangs continue to rapidly evolve while continuing to pose a complex, violent threat to the governments of the Northern Triangle of Central America, directly impacting the flow of cocaine, migrants, weapons, and cash through the region. Russia and other extra-regional actors seek to expand their political, economic and social influence across the hemisphere, seeking to use the combined strategy of government, business, and criminal engagement to form strategic partnerships.

1.2 General Information

This requirement is for research support to the INSS at the NDU for its project, “Western Hemisphere Illicit Network Review” (WHINR). The contractor shall provide research support and subject matter expertise to collaboratively assist NDU-INSS in the execution of this project. The contractor will conduct original research on: cooperation or relationships amongst illicit network actors, including narco-terrorists, insurgents, transnational criminal organizations, and foreign power actors; how illicit actors’ operations create existential threats to foreign states in South and Central America (Western Hemisphere); and how their activities pose direct or indirect threats to U.S. national security policy and interests.

The Contractor shall conduct original field research, including interviews of actors with direct involvement or knowledge of illicit networks, to ascertain current and emergent activities, operational trends and methods, and/or structures of illicit networks across Western Hemisphere. The Contractor will corroborate findings of their field research though examination, comparison, and fusion of various data available from open source databases such as Palantir. The Contractor will provide subject matter expertise to INSS’s research staff and to the Office of the DASD Counter Narcotics and Global Threats (CNGT), in order to educate national security professionals and policy makers. Information derived from this research may be shared with other U.S. Government actors, such as, but not exclusively: the Departments of Homeland Security and Treasury, United States Southern Command (USSSOUTHCOM), United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), and Customs and Border Patrol. When approved, research information may also be shared with foreign partners to enhance situational awareness of potential issues confronting those nations, and to help mitigate challenges that may lead to escalating violence, corruption, and criminalization.

This performance-based work statement (PWS) specifies the tasks, deliverables and performance objectives to be met in support of the Institute for National Strategic Studies (INSS) and the Center for the Strategic Research and its activities with execution of NDU’s mission.

The Contractor will perform to the standards in this contract. In this effort, the Contractor will provide strictly non personal services and will work as an independent Contractor not subject to supervision and control by the Government.

The Contractor will advise and assist the Government, but will not make final decisions or certifications on behalf of the Government, nor perform any inherently Government functions. The Contractor and its employees will not represent the Government nor appear to represent the Government in performance of these contract services. At all times, Contractor personnel will wear appropriate identification identifying themselves as Contractor personnel. At all meetings, conferences, or sessions with government personnel, Contractor personnel will clearly identify their status as Contractor employees to include in all electronic correspondences or name tags. All works delivered under this contract are the property of the United States Government.

1.2.1 Scope This performance work statement (PWS) specifies the tasks to be performed, deliverables to be provided and performance objectives to be met in support of WHINR research project to conduct policy-relevant research and produce research papers for publication.

1.2.2 Contractor Officer Representatives (COR)

Ms. Catherine Reese

Institute for National Strategic Studies

National Defense University

Office: 202-685-3844 c.a.reese.civ@ndu.edu

1.2.3 Travel

Performance under this contract may require travel by contractor personnel for independent research purposes. If travel is required, all travel will be conducted in accordance with FAR 31.205-46 Travel Costs and the Joint Travel Regulations (JTR). Reimbursement will be in accordance with the JTR.

If travel, domestic or overseas, is required, the contractor is responsible for making all needed arrangements for his personnel. This includes but is not limited to the following:

· Medical Examinations

· Immunization

· Passports, visas, etc.

· Security Clearances

NOTE: Transportation shall be tourist class.

The use of privately owned conveyance within the continental United States by the traveler will be reimbursed to the contractor at the mileage rate allowed by Joint Travel Regulations. Authorization for the use of privately owned conveyance will be indicated on the order. Distances traveled between points shall be shown in standard highway mileage guides. Any deviations from distance shown in such standard mileage guides shall be explained by the traveler on his expense sheet.

The contractor will be entitled to reimbursement for car rental, exclusive of mileage charges, as authorized by each order, when the services are required to be performed outside the normal commuting distance from the contractor’s facilities. Car rental for TDY teams will be limited to a rate of one car for every four persons on TDY at one site.

1.2.4 Security Requirements

1.2.4.1 Clearance Level Principle researchers performing work under this contract must be a U.S. Citizen. The Principal Researchers requires a Top Secret (TS) clearance to comply with this contract. All contractor personnel assigned to this effort will possess the appropriate paperwork for unescorted access to all Government facilities wherein the work required by this effort is to be performed. All Contractor personnel assigned to this effort providing full-time on-site support will have and maintain proper clearances and necessary paperwork to maintain access to the required Government facilities.

1.2.4.2 Facility Clearance

The clearance level required is unclassified.

1.2.4.3 Non-Disclosure Agreement

Some tasks may require contractor staff assigned to a Government site to sign a non-disclosure agreement due to sensitive information (e.g., budget, human resource, or procurement actions) that they may be able to access and assist with critical strategic analysis and planning activities.

1.2.4.4.1 Physical Security

This contract may require contractors to be responsible for safeguarding all Government information or property provided. At the close of each work period, Government information, facilities, equipment and materials will be secured as specified in NDU Security Operations procedures.

1.2.5 Identification of Contractor Employees

All contractor personnel supporting this contract, attending meetings, answering telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties, will identify themselves as contractor support personnel to avoid creating an impression to the public that they are Government officials. All contractor support personnel will ensure that all documents or reports produced by contractors are suitably marked as contractor products or that contractor participation is disclosed.

1.2.6 Conduct of Contractor Personnel If the Contracting Officer finds it to be in the best interest of the Government, he/she may at any time during the performance of the contract order the Contractor to remove its personnel from further performance under this contract for reason of moral character, unethical conduct, security reasons, or violation of facility regulations. In the event that it becomes necessary to replace any Contractor personnel for any of the above reasons, the Contractor will bear all costs associated with such removal, including the costs for the replacement of any personnel so removed. These costs will not be billable to the Government.

2.0 Requirements

All work under this contract will be as defined in this performance based contract developed by the Government. Also provided, within the scope of the contract, is a detailed description of the work to be performed, delivery and performance schedule, place of performance and any special instructions such as security requirements and travel. The individuals who work at the Government site will sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement, as needed, to cover any personnel or procurement sensitive information that he/she may be exposed to or have access to.

2.0.1 Disclaimer Statement

All reports resulting from this Contract will contain the following disclaimer statement on the cover of such reports:

“The views, opinions and findings, contained in this report are those of the author(s) and should not be construed as an official Department of Defense (DoD) position, policy, or decision, unless so designated by other official DoD documentation."

2.1 Technical Requirements of Western Hemisphere Illicit Network Review

The Contractor shall conduct original field research, interviews and investigation to document illicit network activity in Western Hemisphere. Specific research priorities will be coordinated with INSS-NDU and DASD/CN&GT staff annually. Contractor will substantiate research findings using independent (open source) sources of information to identify and corroborate potential insights for use by relevant PME educators, U.S. national policymakers, program administrators and analysts. Contractor will supplement research with review of open source information in both English and Spanish, as well as link analysis through use of the sources such as Palantir to confirm results and to provide additional insights. The scope of the required research shall consist of:

2.1.1 Contractor will map and monitor the political/criminal nexus of the FARC and its non-state armed allies (both DTOs and other threat groups) across the Western Hemisphere, focusing particularly on the FARC’s ongoing illicit economic activities in coca production, cocaine production and illegal gold mining. This includes the Ramiro Network and other similar networks.

2.1.2 Contractor will perform in-region monitoring of gang structures in the Northern Triangle, their spread to Mexico and other countries, and their growing engagement in trafficking cocaine and human beings, and their involvement in migrant caravans. Contractor will research the evolution of transnational gangs in the Northern Triangle of Central America and assess their threat to the region’s political and economic institutions, and the United States and its interests in the region.

2.1.3 Contractor will provide a baseline assessment and conduct in-region monitoring to map and understand the ongoing Russian criminal engagement in the hemisphere and its links to the Russian government.

2.1.4 Contractor will provide a baseline assessment and in-region monitoring efforts to map and understand China’s engagement in Central America and the Caribbean, and transnational activity by Chinese criminal organizations. Assess the significant strategic elements of these activities to U.S. interests in Central America and the Caribbean.

2.1.5 As requested by DASD(CNGT), Contractor will share reports and research with other DoD Components and USG Executive Branch departments and agencies.

2.1.6

FIELD RESEARCH:

2.1.6.1 CENTRAL AMERICA: The Contractor shall conduct three to four field research trips into the Central America Northern Triangle (Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala) for the purpose of mapping illicit trafficking, the presence of terrorist and transnational criminal organizations, insurgent networks, and competitor nation activities.

2.1.6.2 SOUTH AMERICA-Northern Region: The Contractor shall conduct three to four field research trips into the northern region of South America (focusing on Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela) for the purpose of mapping illicit trafficking, the presence of terrorist and transnational criminal organizations, insurgent networks, and competitor nation activities.

2.1.6.3 SOUTH AMERICA-Southern Region: The Contractor shall conduct three to four field research trips into the northern region of South America (focusing on Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay) for the purpose of mapping illicit trafficking, the presence of terrorist and transnational criminal organizations, insurgent networks, and competitor nation activities.

2.1.7 OPEN SOURCE RESEARCH: The Contractor shall monitor and assess research finding against open source information from a software platform such as Palantir to confirm, validate or supplement required field research. Contractor will use open source research to identify individuals and organizations relevant to the project and must include link analysis to illustrate the nature of relationships between and amongst them.

2.1.8 RESEARCH SYNTHESIS AND ANALYSIS: The contractor shall synthesize results and findings of field and open source research into four quarterly reports which will focus on the subjects described in subtasks 2.1.8.1 to 2.1.8.4 below:

2.1.8.1 The FARC; financial diversification, political dissimulation, and assimilation with other criminal/terrorist groups. The Contractor shall examine the FARC’s attempt to move assets into the gold market and other diversification strategies in alliance with the existing Bolivarian structures in El Salvador, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, as well as in Panama and elsewhere. This includes not only financial assets but also the sale of weapons and monitoring the FARC’s evolving relationship with criminal groups and other insurgent groups such as the ELN.

2.1.8.2 Evolution of gangs in Central America and impact on U.S. partners; The Contractor shall examine the evolution of the gangs, particularly the MS 13 gang in El Salvador and Honduras, as they continue as they continue to operate as transnational criminal organizations. The probable outcomes of the gang evolution entail significant negative consequences for the United States, including the further criminalization of the Northern Triangle states, unabated violence and high murder rates and connections to increasing flows of illegal migrants seeking to enter the United States.

2.1.8.3 Activities of Iran, China, Russia, North Korea, and violent extremist organizations (VEOs) in the Western Hemisphere; The Contractor shall examine Iran and Hezbollah-related Shi’ia structures, growing Russian military, intelligence, economic and criminal influence, China-based transnational criminal presence, North Korean criminal activities, and the presence of VEOs in the Western Hemisphere.

2.1.8.4 Transformation of the global cocaine trade through new routes and the expansion into new markets; the Contractor shall map trafficking routes from Colombia, Bolivia, and Peru to the U.S. market.

2.1.9 RESEARCH DISSEMINATION: The Contractor shall provide deliverables and summarized briefings on the synthesis, support and analysis of field and open source results to the research staff at the National Defense University and to the Office of the DASD/CN&GT. Upon request by DASD(CNGT), Contractor will brief results to other DoD Components such as OSD offices, the Joint Staff, and Combatant Command representatives, and to other USG departments and agencies, such as the Departments of the Treasury and Homeland Security, CBP, and the DEA. The contractor shall provide up to five trips annually to present research findings to Combatant Commands and to other U.S. Government offices located outside of the NCR, but within CONUS.

3.0 Project Deliverables

The Contractor shall provide the following deliverables in accordance with the schedule provided. All deliverables will be provided in hard copy (paper) and electronic media using Microsoft Office.

In addition to the deliverable reports, Contractor will provide monthly progress and quarterly financial reports describing work accomplished during the period, funds expended, trips and significant results, progress made during the period, including any problems encountered, and recommendation for solution beyond the scope of the PWS. The report shall be provided no later than the 15th of each month following the reporting period month to the COR.

The table below delineates the deliverables and their respective schedule required during the performance of this contract. All deliverables shall be delivered or submitted to the NDU INSS Project Manager and to the INSS COR. The contractor shall submit all required data deliverables in a digital format, employing the Microsoft Office suite of software (Word, supported by Excel and/or PowerPoint, as applicable). The minimum government requirement for field research reports shall be 20 pages in length; the contractor shall consult with the government project manager to gain prior approval for reports that may exceed 40 pages in length. Reports shall be prepared using Times New Roman, 12pt font; two-sided; and bound). Status on the progress of research activities shall be included in a Monthly Progress Report (MPR) (Data Deliverable A001).

(2.1.8.1)

(2.1.8.2)

(2.1.8.3)

(2.1.8.4)

(2.2)

4.0 Quality Assurance Plan

Section 2 of this performance work statement (PWS) specifies the tasks to be performed, and section 3 specifies the required deliverables. In accordance with the Contract Administration/Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan, the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR), with the assistance of designated technical assistants, will measure and evaluate the contractor’s performance of this PWS in terms of:

Deliverables provided in required timeframes

5.0 Place of Performance Execution of this work will be divided between the National Defense University (NDU) and the field locations in Central and South America as required by subtasks 2.1 above. The Contractor shall be available for instructional presentations and research meetings taking place at the National Defense University, U.S. Government facilities in the NCR for purpose of dissemination of the research as required in task 2.1 above. Requirements are anticipated for not more than five briefings outside of the NCR at Combatant Command and other USG facilities primarily in Florida.

6.0 Government Furnished Equipment and Materials

For researchers detailed to NDU, the government will provide desks, chairs, computer terminals, printers, and other equipment/materials that are required for contractor performance. Telephones will also be provided on-site for official local and long distance calls.

7.0 Period of Performance: 28 September 2019 – 27 September 2020

8.0 Technical Point of Contact

Ms. Catherine Reese

Dean of Administration

Institute of National Security Studies

National Defense University

Office 202-685-3844 c.a.reese.civ@ndu.edu ******* End of Combined Synopsis/Solicitation ******** If Past Performance is a factor include:

The quoter shall submit, as part of its quote, information on previously performed contracts or on-going contracts that are similar to the statement of work/item description in the solicitation performed for Federal, State or local Governments, and for commercial firms. Information shall be provided on either 1) all such contracts within the past three years, or 2) the last two such contracts performed, whichever is fewer, and shall be limited to the name and address of the organization for which the product was supplied and services were performed and the number (phone, fax or Internet) of a contact for each contract listed. The quoter should not describe past performance history in the quote. The information should include, however, discussion of any major problems encountered on the contracts listed and the corrective actions taken to resolve them. The information may also include a description of any quality awards earned by the quoter. The Government reserves the right to obtain information for use in the evaluation of past performance from any and all sources including sources outside of the Government. Quoters lacking relevant past performance history will not be evaluated favorably or unfavorably on past performance. However, the quote of a company with no relevant past performance history, while not rated favorably or unfavorably for past performance, may not represent the most advantageous quote to the Government and thus, may be an unsuccessful quote when compared to the responses of other quoters. The quoter should provide the information requested above for past performance evaluation, or affirmatively state that it possesses no relevant directly related or similar past performance. The assessment of the quoter’s past performance will be used as a means of evaluating the relative capability of the responder and other competitors to successfully meet the requirements of the RFQ. The Government will give greater consideration to the contracts that the Government feels are most relevant to the RFQ.

Last revised: 7/23/14