RFI Notice -CTR - 7-09-2024_.pdf

SBU - CONTRACTING AND ACQUISITIONS

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE

On-Site Consulting Support for the Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction

U.S. Department of State

1. INTRODUCTION

The Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation’s (ISN) Office of Cooperative Threat

Reduction (ISN/CTR) seek information from potential offerors regarding their capabilities, resources, and past performance in response to the technical and personnel requirements outlined in this RFI notice.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ) or a promise to issue an RFQ in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Government is not at this time seeking quotes and will not accept unsolicited quotes. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, if any is issued.

2. BACKGROUND

ISN/CTR is funded by the Nonproliferation, Anti-terrorism, Demining and Related Programs (NADR) account. CTR’s global threat reduction programs are aimed at preventing proliferator states and nonstate actors from developing or acquiring weapons of mass destruction (WMD), advanced conventional weapons (ACW), delivery systems, and advanced and emerging technologies with WMD-applicability that could threaten the U.S. homeland and U.S. interests abroad.

ISN/CTR’s authorities include promoting bilateral and multilateral nonproliferation and counterproliferation activities in over 100 countries around the world and include efforts to:

1. Advance bilateral and multilateral efforts to halt the proliferation of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons, their delivery systems, related advanced and emerging technologies and information, and other weapons;

2. Establishing programs to assist foreign partners in preventing the proliferation of nuclear, biological, chemical, and other weapons and related information, expertise, technology, and sensitive data;

3. Assist countries considering small modular reactors in meeting the highest international standards of nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation;

4. Supporting foreign partners with the capabilities to prevent, detect, deter, and document the potential use of WMD; and

5. Assisting foreign governments in enforcing U.S. sanctions and United Nation Security Council

Resolutions (UNSCRs) related to the development, proliferation, transportation and financing of

WMD and delivery systems.

3. SCOPE

This contract will provide for full-time onsite personnel support to ISN/CTR’s global programs aimed at reducing threats posed by proliferator states and terrorist organizations seeking to acquire weapons of mass destruction and delivery systems, as well as associated material, equipment, and expertise.

ISN/CTR seeks professional, scientific, and technical services to support threat reduction projects by bringing to bear demonstrated expertise in fields such as national security; nonproliferation;

counterproliferation and counterproliferation finance; counterterrorism; foreign assistance programming and budgets; understanding of countries or regions of interest, or science, engineering, or advanced and emerging technologies to support the design, development, execution, implementation, and close out of international threat reduction projects in a culturally-sensitive manner. The advanced and specialized professional, scientific, programmatic, and technical services will evaluate proliferation and WMD terrorism threats, design potential threat reduction solutions, develop associated projects with an understanding of the unique nature of ISN/CTR threat reduction programs, apply cultural and linguistic expertise to implementing programs in an internationally-sensitive manner, and support execution, implementation, and then close out of such projects, such as cooperative agreements and interagency agreements.

Additionally, ISN/CTR seeks administrative management and budget management services to execute the specific tasks to support ISN/CTR’s budget processes such as budget planning, financial execution, financial monitoring, financial reconciliation, and financial close out of an annual appropriation of approximately $74 million in NADR funding, while utilizing the Six Sigma and related processes to guide, organize, and report on intended budget actions.

4. SUMMARY OF REQUIREMENTS

4.1 ISN/CTR Functions and Support Tasks

ISN/CTR anticipates the contract requirement will continue to focus on two key foundational functions with supporting tasks:

3.1.1. Providing advanced professional, scientific, and technical services to support threat reduction projects, including but not limited to the design, development, execution, implementation, and close out of such projects. Supporting tasks include but are not limited to:

3.1.1.1 Research global WMD proliferation threats for both proliferator state and non-state actors and maintain awareness of current activities, vulnerabilities, and trends.

3.1.1.2 Assist the client with programmatic, technical, budgetary, and international expertise to design, develop, execute, and implement international WMD threat reduction activities, including workshops, trainings, seminars, and other events, with clearly articulated goals, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and follow-on recommendations in support of USG policy and nonproliferation objectives. Collaborate and coordinate with ISN/CTR third-party implementers on this task, as directed by the client. Specific areas of focus include: a) countering proliferator state and nonstate actor development and use of biological weapons; b) implementing budget planning, foreign assistance award execution, monitoring, financial reconciliation, and close-out for an annual appropriation of approximately $74 million in NADR funding; c) countering proliferator state and nonstate actor development and use of chemical weapons; d) assist countries considering small modular reactors in meeting the highest international standards of nuclear security, nonproliferation, and safety; e) countering proliferation threats, such as enforcing sanctions against Russia following the full-scale invasion of

Ukraine, countering Russian nonproliferation-related malign influence, including the development of WMD, sale of ACW, and use of destabilizing private military corporations; f) preventing the People’s Republic of China

(PRC) and other actors from acquiring advanced and emerging technology, data, and intellectual property (including related to semiconductors) from research organizations and universities which could be used to develop a

WMD or advanced military capability; and g) enforcing nonproliferation-related U.S. and United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCR) against both North Korea and Iran.

3.1.1.3 Draw upon terminal degrees and significant applied professional experience in national security; nonproliferation; counterproliferation and counterproliferation finance; counterterrorism; foreign assistance programming and budgets; understanding of countries or regions of interest, or science, engineering, or advanced and emerging technologies related to the development of WMD to assist client in soliciting and reviewing third-party implementer threat reduction proposals for further consideration and decision by ISN/CTR leadership.

3.1.1.4 Provide substantive and administrative support related to the design, planning and execution of WMD threat reduction programmatic engagements, drawing upon robust and advanced technical, nonproliferation, and international cultural and political expertise. Activities include, but are not limited to coordinating and overseeing efforts with senior foreign government officials, U.S. embassies, and U.S. Government (USG) stakeholders, reviewing technical curriculum to ensure alignment with ISN/CTR’s mission, oversee technical implementers coordinating logistical arrangements, including venue, distribution of training materials, and identifying suitable training participants. As part of project implementation, a demonstrated capability of extended travel to international locations – including to destinations with potentially hazardous conditions, is required.

3.1.1.5 Draft, edit, clear, and disseminate products to advance ISN/CTR, Department of State, and USG threat reduction priorities, policies, and activities.

Products can include, but are not limited to, trip books, briefing checklists, background and issue papers, reporting cables, notes, information memos, action memos, formal interagency correspondence, strategies, press guidance, speeches, social media postings, and talking points for senior USG officials.

3.1.1.6 Liaise regularly with senior Department of State and USG interagency partners to develop, synchronize, and support international WMD threat reduction engagements and measures, as directed by the client. Monitor and participate, as necessary, in relevant Department of State, interagency, and international meetings and discussions to coordinate and support WMD threat reduction activities.

3.1.1.7 Develop and implement plans for collecting data and recording the outcomes of WMD threat reduction programmatic engagements as well as evaluations of effectiveness, as directed by the client.

3.1.2 Providing administrative management and budget management services to support the client in the full financial management life cycle of ISN/CTR threat reduction projects, such as project budget planning, execution, monitoring, financial reconciliation, and close out. Supporting tasks include but are not limited to:

3.1.2.1 Assist client in planning and prioritizing programmatic budget expenditures of an annual appropriation of $74 million in Foreign Assistance funding, drawing on relevant ISN/CTR, ISN Bureau, U.S. Department of State, USG interagency, and White House National Security Council guidance and determinations.

3.1.2.2 Assist client in the development of budget justifications, narratives, and briefings for a variety of internal and external consumers to include: ISN

Bureau and Department of State leadership, the Office of Management and

Budget, National Security Council, Congress, and the public.

3.1.1.3 Assist client in preparing congressional budget justification and congressional notifications of an annual appropriation of $74 million in Foreign Assistance funding, to support programmatic activities, as well as facilitation of foreign donor contributions to support ISN/CTR’s programming.

3.1.2.4 Assist client in processing, tracking and timely close out an annual appropriation of approximately $74 million in Foreign Assistance funding, using a variety of methods including, but not limited to, grants, cooperative agreements, letter grants, fund cites, and interagency agreements. Utilize the

Six Sigma Progress and related procedures to guide, organize and report on intended budget actions and identified process improvements, and Project

Management Professional principals to ensure successful project performance.

5. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE

The desired start date of this contract is May 14, 2025. The anticipated period of performance of the contract is one base year with four one-year options, which shall be exercised at the sole discretion of the

Government.

6. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

6.1 Travel

ISN/CTR anticipates extensive contractor travel in support of the activities and tasks outlined in Section

4. Travel will be global in nature, including to destinations with potentially hazardous conditions.

Potential offerors should be able to provide comprehensive travel support for contract staff traveling on behalf of ISN/CTR, including relevant financial, medical, and security support.

6.2 Security Requirements

The tasks outlined in the performance work statement will require contractor staff to conduct research, provide analysis, and tailor programmatic activities based on timely and relevant threat and intelligence information pertaining to WMD nonproliferation and disarmament. Much of this information is classified and staff will require regular and routine access to compartmented information pertaining to WMD weapons and technologies, state and non-state WMD proliferation activities, terrorist networks, country/regional threat assessments, and illicit WMD trafficking and related financing and procurement networks.

• All ISN/CTR contractor positions will require minimum Secret collateral clearance (interim clearances acceptable); Top Secret collateral clearance is desired for all positions.

• Contract personnel should also be eligible for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information

(SCI); ISN/CTR will submit individual requests for Department of State SCI access once final

Top Secret clearance is received and depending on the requirements of the contractor’s specific portfolio.

• Additionally, contractors with final Top Secret clearance working on issues related to radiological and nuclear weapons will be nominated for Department of Energy “Q” clearances, on a case-by-case basis.

7. JOB DESCRIPTIONS/REQUIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

ISN/CTR seeks twenty-eight (28) full-time employees to work on-site at the Department of State to support ISN/CTR. The 28 positions will be allocated across a variety of labor categories from Principal

Consultant to Analyst; ISN/CTR envisions the majority of the labor categories will be at the Senior

Analyst and above level.

In general, candidates for on-site contractor positions should possess advanced or terminal degrees (PhD) and advanced knowledge and significant professional experience in fields such as national security;

nonproliferation; counterproliferation and counterproliferation finance; counterterrorism; foreign assistance programming and budgets; understanding of countries or regions of interest, or science, engineering, or advanced and emerging technologies. Individuals shall possess program management credentials, strong writing skills, and demonstrated experience in analysis, research, strategy development on nonproliferation and national security issues, oversight of foreign assistance funding, and interagency and international coordination. Lastly, the government seeks candidates who also possess significant professional experiences implementing international programs in a culturally-sensitive manner. In addition to the aforementioned knowledge and experience, ISN/CTR require specialized expertise in the following focus areas:

Focus Areas (in alphabetical order)

Additional Experience

Biosecurity Biological agents/weapons, dangerous pathogens, biosafety/ biosecurity, infectious disease response, microbiology, biodefense, genomic and associated sensitive data, and global proliferator state and nonstate actor interest in biological weapons

Budget and Admin Government budget cycle, funding instruments (cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, fund cites), development of statements of work, acceptance and obligation of foreign government funding, aggregation of significant and complex financial and participant information for review, travel arrangements and expenses, professional experiences with assisting in overseeing awards for international programs on a scale of approximately $74 million in annual foreign assistance funding

Chemical Security Chemical weapons, chemical safety and security, chemical weapons detection, protection, and response capabilities, chemical industry inventory management, sales, and associated security processes, and global proliferator state and nonstate actor interest in chemical weapons

Civil Nuclear

Security

Nuclear safety, security, and nonproliferation, small modular reactors and floating nuclear power plants, advanced nuclear reactor designs, civil nuclear workforce training and academic development, siting considerations, financing, and public messaging

Counterproliferation Measures for law enforcement, medical experts, and first responders to identify use of chemical, biological, or radiological weapons in a hostile information environment, international security considerations and best practices associated with private military corporations, including the

Montreau Document, tracking and disruption of WMD and

ACW supply chains, and Russian nonproliferation threats

Research Security Emerging and advanced technologies applicable to WMD and military systems, development of research security standards and institutional or national approaches, protection of intellectual property in commercial or research environments, semiconductors and applicable national security and supply chain protection measures, biotechnologies, AI, cybersecurity measures, PRC nonproliferation threats

Sanctions

Enforcement

Counterproliferation finance, U.S. sanctions and UNSCRs, illicit financial flows and shipping registry exploitation, nuclear weapons and ballistic missile procurement, unmanned aerial systems, cryptocurrency, virtual asset providers, and banking sector security measures, Financial Action Task

Force recommendations, and North Korean and Iranian nonproliferation threats

Educational and years of related experience requirements will vary by position and advanced degrees will be considered a substitute for work experience, in some instances. For the senior analyst and above positions, ISN/CTR desires at least a Master’s degree with five or more years of related experience. For more senior positions, ISN/CTR desires candidates with PhD degrees with four or more years of experience or a M.A. with 7 or more years of experience. ISN/CTR requires support from potential offerors who have the demonstrated long-term capability to recruit and retain staff with these specialized and advanced capabilities, as well as the ability to provide equivalent replacement or alternative expertise rapidly, drawing upon existing in-house resources.

8. RFI RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

8.1 General Instructions

Sources having the capability and/or concepts to meet these requirements are invited to respond to this

RFI. Responses are to detail the firm’s Technical Capabilities, Qualifications, Personnel Resources, and

Experience to perform the work described. Do not send resumes or marketing material at this time. A cover sheet shall be included (not counted in page limit) identifying the company name, point(s) of contact, phone number(s), fax number(s), e-mail address (es), etc. Also include on the cover sheet the title and no more than a three-line description of any contract your company is/has provided services under any DOS or federal contract, including GSA Schedule, for the services described above in the capability summary. Any information submitted in response to this RFI is strictly voluntary. This synopsis is for information planning purposes only and the Government will not pay or otherwise reimburse respondents for information submitted.

8.2 Due Date and Formatting Instructions

Interested Offerors should provide a response via e-mail to DOS Acquisitions Management – Pete W.

Jones (JonesPW@state.gov) as a Microsoft Word document or Adobe PDF attachment. The due date for this RFI response is 17 June, 2024, 1300 hours. The response shall meet the following page and formatting instructions in order to receive consideration:

• Font – Times New Roman, Size 11

• Page Limit – 6 pages, including attachments (cover sheet not counted in page limit).

• Page Margins – Standard one inch (1”) all around

8.3 Offeror Questions and Comments

Potential offerors may ask clarification questions and/or provide comments on this RFI, including suggestions for how the Government might structure the eventual solicitation. Questions on this RFI will not be answered, but may be taken into consideration during the development of the eventual solicitation.

mailto:JonesPW@state.gov